Last Updated on October 12, 2024 by Dawn Head
Here’s our WWOOF Argentina review of workaway on an organic farm. We had the experience of a lifetime volunteering at Chacra Millalen, an organic chacra (farm) just outside of El Bolson. We scheduled to be on the farm for 5 days. Here’s our story….It was spring when we went so there was plenty of farming work to do. We also helped cook and clean and participated in other daily activities.
Our travel plans for an extended stay in Argentina, and stayed in Buenos Aires a week before traveling to other parts of the country. Having no idea what to expect, we went there with open hearts and adventurous spirits.
For those looking to experience the beauty and culture of Argentina and learn about organic agriculture, WWOOFing (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) is an excellent way to do so. WWOOFers are volunteers who stay with host farms in exchange for food and accommodation. This type of volunteering allows you to explore a country while helping out a local farm. There are many farms to choose from.
Argentina is a great destination for WWOOFers, with many host farms offering unique experiences such as traditional farming techniques, organic gardening, and even opportunities to learn about local cuisine or culture. WWOOFers can also take part in activities such as harvesting crops, caring for animals, or helping out with general farm maintenance.
WWOOF Argentina
WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) is a great way to explore Argentina while making a meaningful contribution to the local community. WWOOFing in Argentina offers volunteers the opportunity to experience the country’s stunning landscapes and vibrant culture, while also helping out with organic farming projects.
WWOOFers can choose from a variety of farms located across the country, from small family-run operations to large commercial farms. Volunteers can learn about sustainable agriculture and permaculture, as well as gain valuable experience in rural living.
With its diverse landscapes and friendly people, Argentina is an ideal destination for WWOOFers looking for an immersive volunteer experience. WWOOFing in Argentina is an amazing opportunity to explore and immerse yourself in the country’s beautiful landscape and culture while giving back to the community.
WWOOF in Argentina Going to Chacra Millalen
We took a public bus from nearby El Bolson to the tiny town of El Hoyo, then taxied out to Chacra Millalen, the small organic farm in the Patagonia region of Argentina where we’d spend the next 4 days volunteering. Neither of us had WWOOF or worked on a farm before or participated in any type of agritourism. However, we are green travelers so we were excited to help, give back, and experience a healthier way of life. We were excited to learn about organic farming and hoping for lots of fresh produce to harvest.
We had lots of questions:
- Would there be other volunteers?
- What would a typical day be like?
- What would we eat?
- Would there be horseback riding opportunities? Many of the farms we researched did and one of the farms experience wwoofing was a cattle drive via horseback.
- Hours per day and hours of work – Most host farms require so many hours a day or hours per day in exchange for room and board
Volunteer Opportunities at Chacra Millalen, an Argentina organic farm
We walked up the winding path past horses and two tents then spotted six other volunteers in a huge garden. They looked like they were having fun — a good sign. We were greeted by two happy dogs as we approached the building where lunch would be served. Before dining on delicious vegetarian lasagna and fresh salad, we met Josephine, the owner of the farm, who was lovely.
The other volunteers took a break from working in the garden, and we chatted with them over lunch. We were surprised that everyone was from an English speaking country — Canada, the US, the UK, and Australia.
It was strange but comfortable to have conversations in English again. Everyone was very friendly and around our age. Some were staying for a week, others had been there a month and weren’t sure when they’d leave. Ours was the shortest visit scheduled.
After we ate, we had a tour of the farm. We put our bags in our quaint and comfortable room above the kitchen. It’s also possible to bring a tent and camp on the land, but we didn’t have a tent with us. Then Josephine showed us the three showers and encouraged us to use one of the two that was heated by wood-burning stoves (instead of gas).
We also noticed four recycling bins and a compost can in the kitchen. Between that and the organic produce the farm grows, Chacra Millalen was definitely scoring green points.
Josephine told us there was a break from working in the afternoons, and farming would resume at 4 pm. We picked up books and sat outside reading and appreciating the fresh air. We snacked on bread cooked on the property and homemade jam from the previous summer.
At 4 pm, we got to work weeding the rosemary bushes in the garden. We were glad we were assigned an easy task, as it’s difficult to mistake a rosemary bush for a weed. I was thrilled to discover that I enjoy the mundane task of weeding since I have been planning on having an organic garden when we’re back in the States.
We finished up after two hours then wandered up the dirt road to explore before dinner at 9:00 (typical Argentine dinner time). The views of the mountains were breathtaking. Everyone took turns cooking meals that we all ate together, which created a good sense of community.
For dinner we enjoyed another meal full of fresh organic veggies and homemade bread. Overall, day one at Chacra Millalen was great and better than we’d ever imagined it could be.
Hiking to Lago Epuyen
When we learned volunteers get the weekends off we were a bit disappointed. After all, we were planning to leave Tuesday morning, and we wanted to contribute before then. Several WWOOFing experiences later, what we learned about WWOOF is that work hours vary greatly by the host. So be sure if you are planning a volunteering trip to Chacra Millalen that you take this into consideration.
It makes sense that everyone gets a break, especially since so many of the volunteers stay for a month or longer; we just hadn’t thought about it. We quickly got over our disappointment when we learned about a gorgeous nearby lake. We trekked up a winding dirt road for two hours to get there. It was worth it.
Lago Epuyen was incredibly peaceful and beautiful, surrounded by mountains and free of the houses that typically crowd US lakes. We sat on the grassy shore for an hour, eating raspberry jam and butter sandwiches and taking in the view. Then we hiked back to the farm and cooked pasta with veggies for dinner.
I loved that we had free reign of the kitchen, and the abundance of fresh, organic vegetables gave us a much-needed break from the Argentina parrilla we enjoyed thus far.
Trekking to the Waterfall
If we weren’t going to be able to work on the farm on the weekends, at least we’d get some exercise in and explore the area. On Sunday we hiked in the opposite direction of the lake toward a waterfall we’d heard about, creatively named La Catarata (“The Waterfall”). We didn’t have very clear directions, but fortunately we stumbled upon it within an hour and half.
Once we got off the flat dirt road and onto the trail the hiking got more difficult. It was fairly steep and I was contemplating whether it was worth it when we crossed paths with four women in their sixties who were coming down. Seeing them shamed me into powering through.
The waterfall paled in comparison to Iguazu Falls, but was still magnificent. We admired it and snapped photos before hiking back down and relaxing near the waterfall’s stream. I was craving ice cream so we took a detour to the gas station (not much else is open on Sundays) on the way back.
For dinner we made polenta with homemade tomato sauce and vegetables from the farm, then pitched in with other volunteers to bake a made-from-scratch carrot cake. It was amazing.
Weeds and More Great Food
More weeding was in store for us on Monday and Tuesday mornings. This time around it was spring onions and basil. I enjoyed it slightly less than weeding rosemary since these weeds were tiny and abundant. But I still liked being able to see how much progress we’d made in just a few hours.
Other volunteers worked on planting peas, picking oregano, thinning the carrot patch, and gathering herbs. We heard that next week they’ll get started on making herbal remedies as well as packaging the herbs to sell. As with any farm, the work depends on the season.
When you plan a trip to WWOOF Argentina or any country, thoroughly check the weather for each season. On Monday afternoon we read on the lawn accompanied by the dogs and a tiny cat. Our meals on our last two days consisted of an array of hot and cold salads, lentil patties, tomato stew over rice, other Argentine cuisine such as soy milanesas, lentil stew, and herb garlic toast. Our Argentine breakfasts were delicious and filling as well.
There was never a shortage of delicious food at Chacra Millalen. We bid farewell to the farm and our fellow volunteers on Tuesday after lunch and headed back to El Bolson to catch our bus to our next destination, Puerto Madryn.
WWOOFing in Argentina
Without using the WWOOF (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms) website, it’s not easy to find volunteer opportunities on organic farms in Argentina. It took us a long time and a lot of internet searched to find this one. In hindsight, we probably should have paid the membership fee and gone through WWOOF.
See our article for 11 things to know before you WWOOF.
WWOOFer Opportunities on Organic Farms in Argentina
I went to Chacra Millalen not knowing what to expect and hoping that I would learn something about gardening. I was pleasantly surprised by everything there. For certain, I would definitely recommend Chacra Millalen to anyone wanting to get off the beaten path in Argentina, and give back to the community. The food was awesome, the people fun, the accommodations comfortable, the hosts gracious, and the work satisfying.
Since this was my first experience with WWOOFing, I’d like to know how it compares to others. In addition to this workaway, we were blessed having the opportunity to travel throughout the South America as well.
- Have you ever volunteered at Chacra Millalen or on a different organic farm?
- If so, was your experience similar to ours?
- What do you think of ecotourism and voluntourism?
For us, it’s a way to travel cheaply while learning about sustainability and cultures around the world. In Argentina, the scenery and weather were magnificent, making it even better.
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