Time for host number 2!
After 11 days with my first hosts wwoofing, I am just about to head to Bendigo to meet up with yet another chook farm. This time a breeder of heritage varieties which I hope should deepen my poultry knowledge, limited as that is at the moment.
I was lucky to have lunch with some other past WWOOFers a few days ago who shared with me some horror stories of negative WWOOf hosts. I guess alot of it comes down to expectations on both sides and good communication. For me my first hosts were great and were only to happy to share their knowledge and lifestyles so fingers crossed my future hosts are as awesome.... got to run, got a train to catch!
Sunday, 21 April 2013
Saturday, 20 April 2013
Making use of chicken or duck livers... Pate
My first major WWOOF tasks was helping to restock my hosts freezer with 8 chickens and 5 ducks. Killing each was a quick and simple process and aftrr a hot bath the process of removing feathers began. Ducks definately proved trickier to pluck as once you get through one layer, there is the layer of down as fine as hairs to be removed as well. The process of gutting the poultry was pretty simple with a few careful cuts and some pulling the birds inners were in the bucket except for the livers.
With the ducks and chickens cut up to various meal sizes and bagged, the livers were kept aside and became the next cooking project.
Pate
1- Cut up livers in rough cubes. Final step is with a food processor so no need to worry about the chopping. Cut up 1 onion as well ..
2- Melt about 4tablespoons of butter in a frypan. (I can't say this is a low fat dish!) Add the livers and onions to the fry pan and brown
3- To this add a splosh of port or wine or brandy. Season with pepper.
4- Turn off heat and allow 2 more tablespoons of butter to melt in the pan. Experiment eith adding more pepper and port until u have a taste you're happy with.
5- Place everything into a food processor and blend to a smooth paste.
We also experimented by using mustard powder to season and next time will probably try white wine instead of port.
A great way to make the most of every bird.
With the ducks and chickens cut up to various meal sizes and bagged, the livers were kept aside and became the next cooking project.
Pate
1- Cut up livers in rough cubes. Final step is with a food processor so no need to worry about the chopping. Cut up 1 onion as well ..
2- Melt about 4tablespoons of butter in a frypan. (I can't say this is a low fat dish!) Add the livers and onions to the fry pan and brown
3- To this add a splosh of port or wine or brandy. Season with pepper.
4- Turn off heat and allow 2 more tablespoons of butter to melt in the pan. Experiment eith adding more pepper and port until u have a taste you're happy with.
5- Place everything into a food processor and blend to a smooth paste.
We also experimented by using mustard powder to season and next time will probably try white wine instead of port.
A great way to make the most of every bird.
Monday, 15 April 2013
Week 1,
Well after my first week of WWOOFing I can add a few new learnings to my repertoire! Thanks to Sandy and Ad (and their great library of books too!) I can now dispatch, pluck, gut and cook both chickens and ducks, make pate, bottle stock, make ricotta and haloumi cheeses.
I also now have a better understanding of how to preserve some foods as jams and jellies.
For those chickens left standing after the weekends freezer stocking duties, there have been the regular chores of feeding, changing water and mucking out the hen house followed by a fresh layer of wood shavings to keep the girls happy!
It's been great also getting the handyman skills reignited, initially with repairing the clothes line which was badly sagging, fixing cupboard handles and this week's task of constructing new duckling and chick enclosures to keep the next generation of poultry safe until they are ready too for the freezer. Weeding, mulching, pruning and keeping the dogs entertained have also kept me busy.
Lined up already in the coming months is some work with hosts breeding heritage chickens and then another host where I hope to learn about alpacas plus the day to day running of farm life. Currently on the lookout for some closer experience with dairy cattle and maybe some horse handling skills.....
I also now have a better understanding of how to preserve some foods as jams and jellies.
For those chickens left standing after the weekends freezer stocking duties, there have been the regular chores of feeding, changing water and mucking out the hen house followed by a fresh layer of wood shavings to keep the girls happy!
It's been great also getting the handyman skills reignited, initially with repairing the clothes line which was badly sagging, fixing cupboard handles and this week's task of constructing new duckling and chick enclosures to keep the next generation of poultry safe until they are ready too for the freezer. Weeding, mulching, pruning and keeping the dogs entertained have also kept me busy.
Lined up already in the coming months is some work with hosts breeding heritage chickens and then another host where I hope to learn about alpacas plus the day to day running of farm life. Currently on the lookout for some closer experience with dairy cattle and maybe some horse handling skills.....
Saturday, 6 April 2013
Getting Started
Where to start!!!!
After my initial post on the WWOOF forum I have been lucky enough to get offers from 2 generous hosts that will help me get my hands dirty in the wonderful world of WWOOFing. Many thanks guys!! The dilemma I am facing now though is that having read the WWOOFer guide cover to cover (well almost) I am in awe of just how many different and awesome hosts there are offering places.
There is such a diverse cross section of skills it is hard to decide who to contact. I think logic would be to go geographically and try to avoid criss-crossing the countryside (or else all my money will surely be sucked into transport costs) but even in each region decisions will need to be made. Of course ultimately it comes down to whether the host has room and useful work for me to do, but I needed to take stock of what it is I am trying to achieve here.
I stopped to ask myself what end result I wanted from this, other than meeting and sharing good times with some great new friends. Answer, I think I would like to get to know enough about sustainability and self sufficiency to either put that these into practice myself in my future years or at least be able to confidently share what I learn with others somehow. After all there will come a day that I won't be able to physically pull up weeds any more!
So my next thought was to digest just some of what is on offer across the hosts and list those skills I am interested in experiencing and which I feel I can grow to understand more about. My initial list (below) is in a word "huge"! but I figure that I am in no hurry to have this all done and the longer the list the more adventures I can look forward too. I centred my list around Building, Food Growing, & Animal Husbandry skills and then added on some personal growth items to remind myself to experience more and tap into the creative elements of life. Some of the items maybe a little on the fruity side but I never again want to be type casted.
Bring on the jack of all trades label, but I intend to record as much as possible not just a tick against each item but to be able to quantify how many hours I spend in each skill area and to regularly test my competence. Some of the things I have already started on before but I am starting this with a clean slate. I am sure that other opportunities will open up and be added onto my list over time and I am open to comments from others who can suggest other skills and no doubt help me get my terminology right.
WWOOFing Apprenticeship- Skills List
Last updated 7 April 2013
1. Building Skills
1.1. Design
– Understand principles of:
1.1.1. Eco friendly /passive solar housing
1.1.2. Water collection and filtering
1.1.3. Plumbing water systems including recycling /grey-black water systems
1.1.4. Safe load bearing wall construction
1.1.5. Constructing different roofing techniques
1.2. Permaculture design
– Develop a working understanding of:
1.2.1. Design solutions used in at least 5 different sites
1.2.2. 40-50 Companion planting combinations
1.2.3. Soil preparation and fertility maintenance techniques
1.2.4. Swale and dam construction
1.3. Construction
– Gain practical experience building with:
1.3.1. Straw bales and rendering
1.3.2. Mud brick / rammed earth
1.3.3. Rough sawn & local timber
1.3.4. Installing doors and windows
1.3.5. Hand build cabinets and furniture
1.4. Tools
– Gain practical experience with:
1.4.1. Using a welder
1.4.2. Using a range of hand and power tools
1.4.3. Using a chainsaw
1.4.4. Using farm machinery including tractors etc
1.4.5. Tiling, painting and minor repair work
1.5. Farm Maintenance
– Gain practical experience with:
1.5.1. Maintaining pumps and irrigation systems
1.5.2. Maintaining fences and gates
1.5.3. Maintenance of waste systems
2. Food Skills
2.1. Growing
– Gain a working knowledge (incl growing seasons/conditions/picking and packing) of :
2.1.1. Fruit orchard management
2.1.2. Vineyards (for wine and grape production)
2.1.3. Small crops vegetables
2.1.4. Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Pigs & Poultry
2.1.5. A range of Aussie Bush Tucker foods and their uses
2.1.6. Oyster farming
2.1.7. Fishing techniques and seasons
2.1.8. Beekeeping, including honey collection and processing
2.1.9. Coffee bean, growing and processing
2.2. Food Processing skills
– Gain practical experience of:
2.2.1. Handpicking fruits/ vegetables and berries
2.2.2. Milling flour and other grains
2.2.3. Baking bread/s and cakes (including flat breads)
2.2.4. Butchering and dressing (Poultry/ Game / Livestock)
2.2.5. Scale and clean fish
2.2.6. Making Wine & Beer
2.2.7. Preserving fruits and vegetables
2.2.8. Making sauces, chutneys, jams (with particular focus on applications for bush tucker)
2.2.9. Making Butter and Cheese (particularly Fetta and Cheddar)
2.2.10. Pressing oil from olives
2.2.11. Making pasta
2.3. Recipe collection / Cooking skills
– understand fundamental ingredients and techniques of and build a library of approx 20 dishes from each of the following cuisines groups:
2.3.1. Asian
2.3.2. Indian
2.3.3. European
2.3.4. Vegetarian
2.3.5. Seafood
2.3.6. Bush Tucker (include own experimentation)
3. Animal Husbandry skills
3.1. General animal
– learn the care, breeding and management of:
3.1.1. Poultry
3.1.2. Goats
3.1.3. Sheep
3.1.4. Cattle
3.1.5. Alpacas
3.1.6. Horses
3.1.7. Pigs
3.2. Farm production
– gain practical experience of:
3.2.1. Paddock sustainability - rotation and fodder care
3.2.2. Mustering a variety of herds
3.2.3. Milk collection (goats and cows)
3.2.4. Shearing (sheep /goats / alpacas)and fibre processing
3.3. Horse skills
– learn through practical experience of:
3.3.1. Care and preparation including feed, grooming and tack care/use
3.3.2. Stable management and hygiene
3.3.3. Riding effectively and confidently
3.3.4. Natural horsemanship techniques /training
4. Personal Growth experiences
4.1. Creativity Projects
4.1.1. Carve something in wood
4.1.2. Build a sculpture / useful item with metal
4.1.3. Write 10+ poems
4.1.4. Write 10+ short pieces of fiction
4.1.5. Maintain a travel journal /blog
4.1.6. Improve drawing / sketching technique
4.1.7. Play 5+ songs on guitar or uke
4.2. Cultural growth
4.2.1. Make 10+ international friends and correspond regularly
4.2.2. Learn 2 more languages to a conversational level
4.2.3. Learn basics of 5 more languages
4.2.4. Understand the history(overviews) of 5 other cultures
4.3. Spiritual growth
4.3.1. Understand more about my/our connection with the earth
4.3.2. Learn to quieten my mind through practicing meditation
4.3.3. Stay open to and appreciate all others ideas / philosophies
4.4. Other life skills/experiences
4.4.1. Learn the basics of herbal medicines
4.4.2. Learn to sail in open coastal water
4.4.3. Learn blacksmithing skills
4.4.4. Learn basic farrier skills
4.4.5. Learn basic coppering
4.4.6. Learn a range of cottage industry handicrafts (spinning / weaving / basket making)
4.4.7. Make natural soaps
4.4.8. Make candles from natural materials
4.4.9. Learn techniques to effectively give massage
4.4.10. Go prospecting for gold / gems
I hope by putting this list out into the aether (via the internet), the universe will help me find the pathway to the right hosts who can share their homes and these skills with me...... so here goes! Wish me luck!!
After my initial post on the WWOOF forum I have been lucky enough to get offers from 2 generous hosts that will help me get my hands dirty in the wonderful world of WWOOFing. Many thanks guys!! The dilemma I am facing now though is that having read the WWOOFer guide cover to cover (well almost) I am in awe of just how many different and awesome hosts there are offering places.
There is such a diverse cross section of skills it is hard to decide who to contact. I think logic would be to go geographically and try to avoid criss-crossing the countryside (or else all my money will surely be sucked into transport costs) but even in each region decisions will need to be made. Of course ultimately it comes down to whether the host has room and useful work for me to do, but I needed to take stock of what it is I am trying to achieve here.
I stopped to ask myself what end result I wanted from this, other than meeting and sharing good times with some great new friends. Answer, I think I would like to get to know enough about sustainability and self sufficiency to either put that these into practice myself in my future years or at least be able to confidently share what I learn with others somehow. After all there will come a day that I won't be able to physically pull up weeds any more!
So my next thought was to digest just some of what is on offer across the hosts and list those skills I am interested in experiencing and which I feel I can grow to understand more about. My initial list (below) is in a word "huge"! but I figure that I am in no hurry to have this all done and the longer the list the more adventures I can look forward too. I centred my list around Building, Food Growing, & Animal Husbandry skills and then added on some personal growth items to remind myself to experience more and tap into the creative elements of life. Some of the items maybe a little on the fruity side but I never again want to be type casted.
Bring on the jack of all trades label, but I intend to record as much as possible not just a tick against each item but to be able to quantify how many hours I spend in each skill area and to regularly test my competence. Some of the things I have already started on before but I am starting this with a clean slate. I am sure that other opportunities will open up and be added onto my list over time and I am open to comments from others who can suggest other skills and no doubt help me get my terminology right.
WWOOFing Apprenticeship- Skills List
Last updated 7 April 2013
1. Building Skills
1.1. Design
– Understand principles of:
1.1.1. Eco friendly /passive solar housing
1.1.2. Water collection and filtering
1.1.3. Plumbing water systems including recycling /grey-black water systems
1.1.4. Safe load bearing wall construction
1.1.5. Constructing different roofing techniques
1.2. Permaculture design
– Develop a working understanding of:
1.2.1. Design solutions used in at least 5 different sites
1.2.2. 40-50 Companion planting combinations
1.2.3. Soil preparation and fertility maintenance techniques
1.2.4. Swale and dam construction
1.3. Construction
– Gain practical experience building with:
1.3.1. Straw bales and rendering
1.3.2. Mud brick / rammed earth
1.3.3. Rough sawn & local timber
1.3.4. Installing doors and windows
1.3.5. Hand build cabinets and furniture
1.4. Tools
– Gain practical experience with:
1.4.1. Using a welder
1.4.2. Using a range of hand and power tools
1.4.3. Using a chainsaw
1.4.4. Using farm machinery including tractors etc
1.4.5. Tiling, painting and minor repair work
1.5. Farm Maintenance
– Gain practical experience with:
1.5.1. Maintaining pumps and irrigation systems
1.5.2. Maintaining fences and gates
1.5.3. Maintenance of waste systems
2. Food Skills
2.1. Growing
– Gain a working knowledge (incl growing seasons/conditions/picking and packing) of :
2.1.1. Fruit orchard management
2.1.2. Vineyards (for wine and grape production)
2.1.3. Small crops vegetables
2.1.4. Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Pigs & Poultry
2.1.5. A range of Aussie Bush Tucker foods and their uses
2.1.6. Oyster farming
2.1.7. Fishing techniques and seasons
2.1.8. Beekeeping, including honey collection and processing
2.1.9. Coffee bean, growing and processing
2.2. Food Processing skills
– Gain practical experience of:
2.2.1. Handpicking fruits/ vegetables and berries
2.2.2. Milling flour and other grains
2.2.3. Baking bread/s and cakes (including flat breads)
2.2.4. Butchering and dressing (Poultry/ Game / Livestock)
2.2.5. Scale and clean fish
2.2.6. Making Wine & Beer
2.2.7. Preserving fruits and vegetables
2.2.8. Making sauces, chutneys, jams (with particular focus on applications for bush tucker)
2.2.9. Making Butter and Cheese (particularly Fetta and Cheddar)
2.2.10. Pressing oil from olives
2.2.11. Making pasta
2.3. Recipe collection / Cooking skills
– understand fundamental ingredients and techniques of and build a library of approx 20 dishes from each of the following cuisines groups:
2.3.1. Asian
2.3.2. Indian
2.3.3. European
2.3.4. Vegetarian
2.3.5. Seafood
2.3.6. Bush Tucker (include own experimentation)
3. Animal Husbandry skills
3.1. General animal
– learn the care, breeding and management of:
3.1.1. Poultry
3.1.2. Goats
3.1.3. Sheep
3.1.4. Cattle
3.1.5. Alpacas
3.1.6. Horses
3.1.7. Pigs
3.2. Farm production
– gain practical experience of:
3.2.1. Paddock sustainability - rotation and fodder care
3.2.2. Mustering a variety of herds
3.2.3. Milk collection (goats and cows)
3.2.4. Shearing (sheep /goats / alpacas)and fibre processing
3.3. Horse skills
– learn through practical experience of:
3.3.1. Care and preparation including feed, grooming and tack care/use
3.3.2. Stable management and hygiene
3.3.3. Riding effectively and confidently
3.3.4. Natural horsemanship techniques /training
4. Personal Growth experiences
4.1. Creativity Projects
4.1.1. Carve something in wood
4.1.2. Build a sculpture / useful item with metal
4.1.3. Write 10+ poems
4.1.4. Write 10+ short pieces of fiction
4.1.5. Maintain a travel journal /blog
4.1.6. Improve drawing / sketching technique
4.1.7. Play 5+ songs on guitar or uke
4.2. Cultural growth
4.2.1. Make 10+ international friends and correspond regularly
4.2.2. Learn 2 more languages to a conversational level
4.2.3. Learn basics of 5 more languages
4.2.4. Understand the history(overviews) of 5 other cultures
4.3. Spiritual growth
4.3.1. Understand more about my/our connection with the earth
4.3.2. Learn to quieten my mind through practicing meditation
4.3.3. Stay open to and appreciate all others ideas / philosophies
4.4. Other life skills/experiences
4.4.1. Learn the basics of herbal medicines
4.4.2. Learn to sail in open coastal water
4.4.3. Learn blacksmithing skills
4.4.4. Learn basic farrier skills
4.4.5. Learn basic coppering
4.4.6. Learn a range of cottage industry handicrafts (spinning / weaving / basket making)
4.4.7. Make natural soaps
4.4.8. Make candles from natural materials
4.4.9. Learn techniques to effectively give massage
4.4.10. Go prospecting for gold / gems
I hope by putting this list out into the aether (via the internet), the universe will help me find the pathway to the right hosts who can share their homes and these skills with me...... so here goes! Wish me luck!!
The journey begins
Have you ever taken a wrong turn?? It's not always easy to get back on track especially when the crowd around you is pushing you along!
My life up to now was the result of a few wrong turns and has left me exhausted with citylife and the pursuit of "things". Consequently, I am extricating myself from the old and setting out on a bold new journey, one I wish I had taken years ago...... I once dreamed of working alongside others on conservation projects or even running myown lavender farm on dozens and dozens of acres. I even did vocational training in horticulture and landcare techniques but one turn after another led me into "office work" away from soils and natural ecology to a world filled with paperwork, computers and meetings! Dont get me wrong, I am appreciative of those opportunities people extended me and value the relationships along the way (I hope I have done some good work) but inside of me has been a yearning for a more wholesome life.
Step one...... Resolve to get back in touch with nature. Sell the car...check, Pack the house into storage...check, Find a river and set up tent....check!
Step two..... Become a WWOOFer (Willing Worker On Organic Farms) I purchased my WWOOF guide book with its thousands of potential host farms looking for willing workers. The scheme provides an avenue to barter 4-5hrs farmwork each day in return for meals accomodation and sharing knowledge from the hosts.
This blog is my journey into the world of WWOOFing and my journal of lessons learnt along the way.
My life up to now was the result of a few wrong turns and has left me exhausted with citylife and the pursuit of "things". Consequently, I am extricating myself from the old and setting out on a bold new journey, one I wish I had taken years ago...... I once dreamed of working alongside others on conservation projects or even running myown lavender farm on dozens and dozens of acres. I even did vocational training in horticulture and landcare techniques but one turn after another led me into "office work" away from soils and natural ecology to a world filled with paperwork, computers and meetings! Dont get me wrong, I am appreciative of those opportunities people extended me and value the relationships along the way (I hope I have done some good work) but inside of me has been a yearning for a more wholesome life.
Step one...... Resolve to get back in touch with nature. Sell the car...check, Pack the house into storage...check, Find a river and set up tent....check!
Step two..... Become a WWOOFer (Willing Worker On Organic Farms) I purchased my WWOOF guide book with its thousands of potential host farms looking for willing workers. The scheme provides an avenue to barter 4-5hrs farmwork each day in return for meals accomodation and sharing knowledge from the hosts.
This blog is my journey into the world of WWOOFing and my journal of lessons learnt along the way.
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