From Lettuce Fields to Love Is The Source: My WWOOF Journey
In 2017, I made the best decision of my life. I was 21 years old, living on the East Coast, working a “successful” job that looked good on paper but left me feeling empty inside. I was stressed, overworked, and disconnected from the things that mattered most. One day, I quit. I packed a bag, left behind the grind of city life, and flew across the ocean to live and work on a lettuce farm in Hawaii through WWOOF USA.
What is WWOOF?
WWOOF stands for Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms. It’s a global network connecting volunteers with organic farms, gardens, and homesteads. In exchange for a few hours of work each day, volunteers receive food, housing, and — perhaps most importantly — the chance to learn hands-on skills in organic farming, permaculture, and sustainable living.
In the U.S., WWOOF USA connects thousands of people with farms across the country, from mountain homesteads to coastal orchards. It’s more than just a work exchange. It’s a cultural and spiritual exchange, a chance to step out of “normal life” and into the rhythm of the land.
My Leap Into the Unknown
When I landed in Hawaii, I had no idea what to expect. All I knew was that I wanted something real, something rooted. The lettuce farm I joined was raw, rugged, and beautiful.
I woke with the sun and fell asleep to the sound of rain on the tin roof.
My hands were always in the soil, harvesting rows of greens, washing produce for the market, learning how food truly gets from earth to plate.
Life was simple, grounded, and deeply fulfilling.
I was sweaty, tired, and blissfully alive. For the first time in years, I felt like myself.
How WWOOF Changed My Life
WWOOFing gave me more than farming skills. It gave me clarity. I realized:
Success isn’t about titles or paychecks — it’s about alignment.
Community and connection matter more than climbing a corporate ladder.
The land has a way of teaching you what no office ever can: patience, presence, and reciprocity.
That season cracked me open. It set me on the path that eventually led me here, to central Florida, where I now live with my partner Cory, our children, and the thriving food forest we’re cultivating on our 15-acre farm.
From WWOOFer to Host
Now, the story has come full circle. What I once sought, I now offer. At Love Is The Source Farm, we host volunteers — WWOOFers, farm apprentices, and curious souls who want to experience homesteading, permaculture, and agroforestry firsthand.
We welcome people into our rhythms:
Harvesting honey, eggs, and fruits from our food forest.
Learning about regenerative farming, composting, and herbal medicine.
Cooking and eating meals made from the land.
Sharing stories, music, and connection under the Florida sky.
Hosting is our way of giving back — not just to the land, but to the community of seekers and dreamers who, like me at 21, are brave enough to step off the beaten path.
Why WWOOF Matters Today
In a world that often feels rushed, disconnected, and fragile, programs like WWOOF are more vital than ever. They create bridges between people and the earth, between cultures and communities. They remind us that food doesn’t come from a supermarket shelf — it comes from soil, water, sun, and countless hands.
And for those willing to leap, WWOOF can be life-changing. I know, because it changed mine.
An Invitation
If you’re curious about living closer to the land, about getting dirt under your nails and stories in your heart, I invite you to explore WWOOF USA. Whether you go across the country or across town, it will shape you in ways you can’t imagine.
And if your path ever leads you to central Florida, we’d love to welcome you here at Love Is The Source Farm. Our gates are open to those who want to learn, serve, and grow with us.
Because sometimes the best decisions are the scariest ones. And sometimes, they lead you to exactly where you’re meant to be.
🌱 Ready to start your own WWOOF journey?
Visit wwoofusa.org to learn more.
✨ Or, come volunteer with us at Love Is The Source Farm — where we’re growing food, medicine, and community in Zone 9b Florida, right on the edge of the swamp.
