Farmstays and volunteering opportunities from around the world - Workaway

Farmstay with Workaway

Are you ready to switch the streetlights for the starlit sky? Trade traffic for tranquillity? Swap the rush for relaxation? Then, you will love a farmstay with Workaway. Even if you’ve never considered the allure of rural living, let us persuade you that once you have a taste of farm life, you’ll discover a freedom that urban living can never replicate.

What is a farmstay?

As the name describes, a farmstay is where you stay on a local’s farm instead of typical tourist accommodation such as a hotel or hostel. If you crave an environment where the hustle and bustle of city life is a distant memory, and instead the tranquil rhythm of rural living takes centre stage, then a farmstay is for you.

It offers an authentic immersion into local life where you become an integral part of a working farm. Imagine waking up to the gentle crowing of roosters, breathing in the crisp country air, and trading your morning commute for a coffee in nature! A farmstay is an opportunity to escape the ordinary and embrace a simpler, more fulfilling way of life.

In exchange for the host inviting you into their home, you volunteer your time and skills. This can include help with cooking, cultivating, animal care, gardening or general maintenance for example. There may even be opportunities to learn more about farming as a business including preparing for market days, packing products, marketing and more.

The cultural exchange of a farmstay benefits both parties as your skills help to improve their day to day life, and their hospitality allows you to travel more authentically.

Why stay on a farmstay through Workaway?

After a quick online search you might find thousands of farmstays that sound great. So why choose Workaway? Here at Workaway, our mission is to do things differently. That’s why we have built a thriving community of global travellers who genuinely want to see the world, whilst giving back to the places they visit.

We connect these travellers to welcoming local hosts who need their help and currently offer over 50,000 volunteer opportunities across 170 countries! We are also aware of how truly life-changing a farmstay experience can be, that’s why we champion this style of travel and offer the platform to make it happen.

Alongside this, there are several benefits to using Workaway to find your farmstay, these include but are not limited to:

• Safety – Safety is imperative to us, as we know staying with strangers can be a daunting prospect. We have extensive safety protocols in place, including 24-hour support via email or live chat, an emergency help and child protection guidelines. We also encourage our community to leave detailed reviews for both host families and Workawayers with each profile being manually screened by our team before publishing, as well as the option of ID verification. These steps ensure only those with genuine intention use Workaway, for a cultural exchange that’s safe, inclusive, and fun.
• Low cost, high impact – Unlike other platforms, we put people before profit. Where others charge expensive agency fees per project, we charge a nominal annual membership. Not only for solo travellers, but you can join as a couple - saving even more money! This fee means only those who are genuinely committed to our ethos join the site. It also allows us to fund our team (of actual humans) who are ready to help optimise your profile, offer travel advice, vet users, and make your farmstay experience as epic as possible.
• Global membership – Why stay with a host in one country when you can find farm stays in over 170 countries? Whether it’s an olive farm in Italy or an alpaca farm in Peru you have the opportunity to engage with volunteer opportunities all over the globe.
• Join solo, as a couple, or as a family – While volunteering is one of the best ways to meet people while travelling, you don’t need to be a solo traveller to join Workaway. We offer a variety of membership options including couples and friends. There are even host families who welcome families, so you can travel with kids too.

What to expect from a homestay with Workaway

While there are many different kinds of farms (more on that later) generally, you can expect one thing in common with any farmstay - warm-hearted farmers who are eager to share their way of life.

From the moment you set foot on the farm, you'll be greeted by open fields, serenity, and days filled with hands-on experiences. Whether it's tending to animals, planting seeds, harvesting crops or perhaps even trying your hand at cheese-making, producing olive oil or bread-baking.

But it's not all work and no play! Your evenings can be spent under starlit skies, sharing stories around a bonfire, enjoying farm-fresh produce round the dinner table and exploring the beautiful surroundings.

Be Prepared to Be Pushed Out of Your Comfort Zone

We all get stuck in a rut sometimes, bored of the same old routine but a farmstay is the perfect way to shake things up. It will push you out of your comfort zone to face fears, overcome frustrations, and empower you as you learn new skills. Whether you loathe early mornings, crave a break from social media or have a love-hate relationship with nature, a farmstay is a place to grow, to connect, and to truly live. Want to hear more? Check out city girl’s guide to volunteering on a farm for an authentic insight into her experience as a Workawayer on a farmstay in Chile.

Skills, Skills, Skills…

One thing you can guarantee on a farmstay is that you will learn SO much. Not only about yourself but about nature, animals, nutrition, sustainability and more. Some of the skills you can expect to learn include agricultural skills such as soil health, cultivating and caring for livestock. Food production and preservation including how food gets from field to table and even marketing and sales as you sell produce at farmers’ markets.

An experience you’ll never forget

Generally, hosts will expect around 5 hours of your time each day for five days a week, in exchange for your accommodation and meals. Accommodation can vary on farms - sometimes it’s your own room within the farmhouse, sometimes a tent, a campervan or even your own cottage on the estate.

These arrangements, your schedule as well as the tasks you can help with will all be discussed beforehand, so make sure to ask your host the right questions so that both parties are on the same page.
Overall, be prepared for a cultural exchange that will change the way you travel forever!

Different kinds of Farmstays

If you think farmstays are only about planting vegetables or milking cows, be prepared to be amazed! There are so many different types of farms, each offering volunteers a range of experiences, from hands-on agricultural work to marketing and manufacturing. Regardless of the type of farm you choose, they all promise to connect you with nature and allow you to gain a deeper understanding of where our food and other products come from.

Here is a round up of the most popular types of farm stays on Workaway, each with its unique focus and offerings. As a tip, you can use these farm types as a keyword when searching for a farmstay host.

• Permaculture Farm: The purpose of a permaculture farm is to utilise land, resources, people and the environment in a way that is self-sufficient and doesn't produce any waste. This type of farmstay is ideal for the eco warriors among us who are passionate about the planet and want to learn about this unique way of life. Learn more about permaculture here.
• Organic Food Farm: Organic farms prioritise using natural methods to cultivate crops and raise animals without the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilisers, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The focus is on soil health, biodiversity, and producing wholesome, chemical-free food. Like this organic farm in Jordan Valley that grows organic dates and olives or this organic farm community in Southern France.
• Olive Farm: Put simply, olive farms are known for cultivating olive trees and producing olive oil. These farms often offer Workawayers the chance to witness the olive oil production process, from harvesting the olives to pressing them into oil. Italy is one of the best places to find farmstays on olive farms (like this farm stay in Puglia making olive oil) but olive farms are also popular in Spain, Greece, Tunisia, Turkey and Morocco.
• Cattle Ranch: Cattle farms, also known as ranches, rear livestock such as cows, bulls, and calves. On this type of farmstay you might participate in tasks like herding, feeding, and even cattle drives.
• Dairy Farm: On dairy farms, the focus is on using cattle to produce milk and dairy products like cheese, yoghurt, and butter. Volunteers might assist with milking cows, processing dairy products, and learning about animal husbandry.
• Animal Farms: It goes without saying but here at Workaway there are so many ways you can volunteer with animals on farms. Whether it’s a sheep farm in South Africa or a Husky farm in Norway. Some farmstays (like this authentic farmstay in Catalonia) have a mix of animals and produce so the possibilities are endless!
• Fruit Orchard: Some farms only focus on fruit so are home to a variety of fruit-bearing trees, such as apple, pear, cherry, and peach trees. Volunteers can help with planting, harvesting, and maintaining the orchard as well producing cider, jams and chutneys from the fruit.
• Vegetable Farm: these farmstays focus on - you’ve guessed it - vegetables! Often following organic or sustainable practices, volunteers might assist with planting, weeding, harvesting, and preparing the produce for market.
• Vineyard: Wine lovers may want to try a farmstay at a vineyard. Here you will learn about cultivating grapevines for wine production as well as experience the wine-making process, from grape picking to wine tasting, as well as pruning and harvesting.
• Herb and Medicinal Plant Farm: These farms focus on growing herbs and plants used for culinary, medicinal, or aromatic purposes. Volunteers can learn about herbalism, plant care, and possibly assist in making herbal products.
• Beekeeping Farm: Bee farms, also known as apiaries, raise bees for honey production and pollination. Volunteers can learn about beekeeping techniques, hive maintenance, and the importance of bees in agriculture.
• Lavender Farm: Here you can learn how to cultivate lavender plants for their aromatic flowers, which are used in products like essential oils, soaps and cosmetics. The hard part will be staying awake when surrounded by sleepy lavender!
• Chocolate or Cacao Farm: We’ve possibly saved the best until last, but cacao farms (like this Chocolate farm in costa rica) grow cacao trees, the source of chocolate! Volunteers can learn about the cacao cultivation process, from harvesting cacao pods to fermenting and drying cacao beans.

What kind of duties does a farmstay need help with?

Embarking on a farmstay adventure means embracing a variety of tasks that are both rewarding and educational. You might be asked to focus on one particular task, or engage with a variety. The majority of hosts are happy to welcome those with no experience as long as you bring a positive attitude and an open mind.

Overall, all activities will connect you with the rhythm of the land and local life:

• Animal Care: From feeding chickens to milking cows, you'll bond with animals that are the heartbeat of the farm. Caring for them provides a firsthand lesson in responsibility and compassion.
• Crop Cultivation: Get your hands dirty as you sow seeds, water plants, and harvest the literal fruits of your labour. Witness the miracle of growth and gain a newfound appreciation for the food on your plate!
• Maintenance: Farm life is a continuous cycle of upkeep so tasks like mending fences, painting barns, and maintaining equipment are essential to keep the farm going and animals safe.
• Food Processing: Experience the journey from farm to table as you assist in turning freshly harvested ingredients into delectable meals. Yum! Whether it's baking bread, canning preserves or churning butter, you'll learn valuable culinary skills.
• Community Engagement: Many farms are deeply integrated into their local communities. As a volunteer, you might participate in farmers' markets, workshops, or events at the farm such as tours, cooking lessons and more.
• Environmental Practises: Farms often prioritise sustainable practices (especially if you are living on a permaculture farm). This means you might help with composting, natural pest control, or other eco-friendly initiatives, offering you insight into responsible land management.

Top Tip: If you’re familiar with any of these tasks mentioned, make sure to include photos of them on your profile and don’t forget to keep your profile updated as you learn new skills before your next adventure. This will help your Workaway profile stand out and prove to potential hosts you’d fit into their farmstay with ease!

How long does a farmstay last?

Farmstays (like all Workaway experiences) can differ in length. It is worthy to note however, the longer you stay in one area the more you’ll develop an in-depth understanding of the culture and truly feel like a local. On the flip side, you don’t want to become too comfortable as this is when boredom sets in.

Some farmstays may take a week or two to find your groove and settle in, especially if you’re finding your feet with a new language or climate. With others, as soon as you taste that first picked plum, or freshly baked farmhouse bread you’ll never want to return to civilisation ever again.

Each host profile will have a calendar that shows their availability of when they may accept Workawayers. Check this first to make sure your plans align before contacting to discuss exact dates. It’s also worth noting that as farming is influenced by seasons and the weather you may need to adjust your plans based on changing conditions.

You can also filter using the dates you are travelling as well as your minimum stay criteria by adding them to the “availability” filter before you hit search. You can also tick the option of “last minute host” if you’re searching for a farmstay experience at short notice.

Is a farmstay only for students?

No - it is often a misconception that farmstays are only for the young and fit. While to some degree a farmstay experience can be physically demanding due to the digging, walking and lifting involved, other farm-related tasks are suitable for all ages and abilities. For example packing produce, preserving such as canning or drying, carpentry, pruning or weeding and animal care.

Here at Workwaway we welcome both hosts and volunteers of all ages, backgrounds and experience levels. We truly believe it is never too late for a gap year and that a farmstay can benefit any age.

In fact, we have volunteers who swapped retirement for a lifetime of adventures, another who completed their first Workaway aged 55 and empty nesters whose gap year turned into 8 years of adventures!

Benefits of Living on a Farmstay

• More affordable – The Workaway membership fee is for an entire year of adventures making it far more affordable than the typical tourist accommodation. Not to mention the incredible food that’s thrown in for free too! This is one of the many reasons farmstays are popular with those travelling on a budget. They also allow you to experience authentic food where you’d otherwise have to pay to dine out, insider travel tips which usually come with a costly tour fee and not to mention priceless memories that money can’t buy.
• Best way to learn a language – Living and working as part of a team on a farmstay is one of the easiest ways to learn a new language as it encourages total immersion. From sunrise until sunset you can be conversing with native speakers and learning new words. More importantly, you will be practising with locals who have the patience and time to help you learn.
• Teamwork Skills Will Flourish – Turning up in a new country can feel isolating and lonely at times. However, one of the many joys of farmstays is that they require teamwork to make the dream work, so you will meet like-minded people quickly and easily. There is no better way to bond than enjoying the outdoors over your love for food and nature. Farmstays are also a great way to find a travel buddy to continue the adventure with.
• Cultural Exchange – Sure, hostels and hotels can be fun but often we stick to our comfort zones when we book these places. Typical tourist accommodations are just businesses at the end of the day, they don’t care whether you leave having learned something new about the area. You don’t “check in” or “check out” of a farmstay, you are welcomed as part of the community and contribute to making a difference. The furry friends and unforgettable food are just a bonus!
• Help Your CV stand out – Farms never sleep. It’s a 24/7 kind of gig, so there’s no arguing that farmers are some of the hardest workers you will find. Under their mentorship you can gain incredible problem solving skills as you navigate weather, pests and more. Your time management skills will flourish as farm work usually involves tasks that need to be done on specific schedules. You may even learn about marketing, customer service and sales as you sell produce locally. Overall, these can do wonders for your CV and help it stand out against the competition.

How to make the most of your Farmstay experience

Keep an open mind - The culture, language and food may all be different but embrace it. You’ll likely be outdoors more than you are used to, which also means adapting to weather, wildlife and more. Try not to judge or criticise, appreciate the differences and keep an open mind.

Communicate - If you are uncomfortable or confused with anything, speak up. Farms can be dangerous at times with heavy machinery, unpredictable animals and food preparation all requiring concentration and caution. It’s always best to be honest and open so both parties feel confident and comfortable. Simple misunderstandings can be resolved much quicker if you speak up early.

Ask questions - Whether you want their family recipe to try at home, you need help with pronunciations, or you’re curious about the culture - ask! Questions are the best way to learn about the farming way of life and you might never get an opportunity again to ask a local so make the most of it.

Be prepared for culture shock - With some farmstays you’ll slot right in as part of the family immediately, with others it can take time to adapt. To prepare for culture shock do a little research before you arrive. What typically will you be eating? Will you be up before sunrise to get the work done before it's too hot? Are you off grid completely? What will a typical day look like? Having this insight before you arrive will set you up for a successful stay.

How to find the perfect farmstay

You’ve learned about the benefits, expectations and the reasons why a farmstay should be top of your bucket list, so how do you get started?

Join

Start by signing up for a membership – remembering you can sign up solo, as a couple or as friends. Each new sign up will also add a tree to the Workaway forest. Then it’s time to perfect your profile remembering to mention any of the skills above that show you’re onboard with the rural way of life.

Filter by Destination

Now it's time to filter to find your farmstay! Certain countries are famous for their particular farming methods. If you have a dream farmstay in mind you might want to focus on these particular countries. For example:

• Vietnam is famed for rice paddies and coffee farms
• Argentina for cattle ranches
• Italy, Spain and Greece for olive farms
• Mexico for agave farms (hello Tequila!) or avocado farms
• Australia and New Zealand for sheep farming
• The Netherlands for tulip farms and dairy farming
• South Africa for vineyards

Use Keywords

Another tip to narrow your search is to use keywords you’d associate with your ideal farmstay. These are keywords that align with your own values or are skills you’d love to learn more about. For example: permaculture, cattle ranch, coffee plantation, beekeeping, olive farm etc.

Once you have found a few hosts, you can add them to your favourites list. We recommend you then personalise your introduction message, don’t be tempted to copy and paste as it sends a lazy vibe! Share what you’d bring to their team on the farm, not forgetting why you want to visit their country and what you hope to learn.

Pack your bags

Once you and your host have agreed dates, projects and expectations it’s time to pack the essentials. As mentioned, farms can be challenging environments so don’t skip booking travel insurance to cover you in case of emergencies.

In a world that often moves too fast, volunteering on a farm offers a refreshing escape. It's a chance to trade the chaos of city life or the daily hustle for the simplicity of tending to the land and caring for living creatures.

There is no other satisfaction like that of watching a tiny seed you planted grow into a thriving plant, or the joy of a newborn animal taking its first wobbly steps. With every day spent on the farm, you'll find yourself gaining not just newfound skills but a deeper connection to the Earth and a sense of fulfilment that's hard to find elsewhere.

So why not take that leap? Roll up your sleeves, breathe in the fresh air, and join the adventure of a farmstay with Workaway – a journey that promises to nourish your soul as much as the land itself.