319. WWOOF-USA® | Samantha Blatteis | Special Programs Manager

Samantha BlatteisSpecial Programs ManagerWWOOF-USA®www.wwoofusa.orgI'm not even sure we're gonna find someone this summer... because it would have to be someone camping in Montana? My listeners are bigger gardeners. I do have a lot of new listeners after being on the Melissa Norris Pioneering Show. I would think people might have a lot of questions. I'm the kind of person who goes through the Terms and conditions more then most. I think people will be excited to hear that there is an actual person who calls.We interview all the new hosts. As the host you are the one accepting people into your homes and liveswe want to make sure our minimum hosting criteria.Go through your listing point of areas and use a bit of more explanationConfirm that you know what our hosting criteria are and have a plan to meet them.this is a great opportunity toto gives some pointers and tips and best practices that we've learned from hosts after several years of hostingpass it on to the new hosts from the get go There are some easy things to do to make the WWOOFing experience great for both host and wwoofer so that'sthe goal of the goal of this callMake sure you aware of what our standards are to make sure you are a good fit for the program.So do you start by asking me questions."My first question for you is how did you first hear about WWOOF and what made you sign up to be a host?"Well, I probably heard about it before, since I started the podcast, this would be episode 319, so I have talked to 318 people, and a lot of the people I have talked to who are farm managers, who worked at someone's farm or own their farm now. One of the greatest interviews I did, with Jeremy and Neke and they would do 2 days here and 2 weeks there and 2 days there, and traveled all of South America plus learned from a variety of different people. The experience level was exponential by being at all these different farms. For example I interviewed Ellen Polishuck who had her own farm and now teaches people about working with interns. Our goal is to plant as much as we can this year because there could be giant food shortages this fall and people needing food and we have a lot more space then Mike can care for himself. So if we can grow more this year with some help that would be great.That's what so great about the WWOOF programPeople who want to be gardeners or farmers themselves someday can go get that experience and if they want to try out a bunch of different farms and set ups. One of the great toolsWWOOF offers is you can go check out from different set upsstarting out and get experience as that well hosting side your not always leave and travelfarmer or gardenertend to your animals or cropsYou can invite people to come and learn and participate with youown experience and tips and tricksboth wayshost other farmsand your in Montana so you probably have some cold...