Expectations Under the Tuscan Sun: Voluntary Work on an Organic Agritourism Farm

Abstract: This thesis presents the volunteering on organic farms and the international organization WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) that connects volunteers with organic farmers. In the summer of 2011, I volunteered at an organic agritourism farm in Tuscany, Italy. The thesis is based on the fieldwork conducted for eight weeks while working at the farm as a WWOOFer. It investigates the aspects of free labor or volunteer work, associated with the growing movement of organic farming. The thesis deals with the issues of power, unequal exchange and investigates the question of scales. It also addresses different aspects of sustainability, self-sufficiency, organic farming, food and cuisine. The thesis present the issues and challenges highlighted through interviews and participatory observation at the farm.