Rooted in the Future: Growing the Next Generation of Farmers

At WWOOF-USA, we believe the future of farming lies in hands-on education, diverse voices, and bold dreams. That’s why we created the Future Farmer Program — a powerful initiative launched in 2020 to support aspiring farmers with the resources, mentorship, and funding to support them in growing their vision into a thriving reality.

Each year, the program awards grants to passionate WWOOFers who are committed to pursuing farming as a lifelong path. With generous support from Patagonia and in collaboration with Tufts University New Entry Sustainable Sustainable Farming Project, the program pairs immersive farm stays with New Entry's Crop Production Course — giving participants the tools to learn, grow, and lead.

Since 2020, 87 Future Farmers have received over $315,000 in grants, gaining real-world experience through more than 17,000 hours on WWOOF farms across the country.

This is more than just a farm visit — it’s a launchpad for a new generation of farmers ready to shape a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food system.

We invite you to meet this year's Future Farmers:

Alex

Alex sometimes gets in trouble for what he believes in - he is an Aries after all. As an advocate and agitator for prison abolition during the 2020 uprising, Alex was one of thousands who were arrested as backlash for daring to act up and speak out in the streets.

After this deeply personal reckoning with america’s oppressive institutions, he pursued a path of healing, which led him to the Earth. He now spends his time farming insects, gardening, and learning how to live in a community.

He is becoming a Future Farmer to build momentum toward starting a revolutionary land project. He is preparing for the day when we will grow lush gardens atop the ashes of military bases, border walls, and prisons.

Amitai

Amitai is an aspiring financial agricultural consultant with a passion for addressing the challenges faced by modern farmers.

Over the past year, he has gained hands-on experience through volunteering in the U.S. and Europe, deepening his understanding of agricultural economics and sustainability.

This fall, Amitai will begin his journey as a freshman at the University of Virginia where he looks forward to leveraging the skills he has gained in the Future Farming Program to continue being an asset to the community. With a strong commitment to supporting agricultural advancement, he is eager to contribute innovative solutions to the future of farming.

Branden

From an early age, Branden attended a farm school that taught livestock care and how to become a great steward over land and animals.

That passion has not ceased for him. He loves people and cultures of all types, and wants to use the Future Farmer Program experience to gain education so that he can one day have his own organic farm.

He also wishes to serve the communities around him whenever a farmer needs a hand.

Brianna

Brianna is an energetic individual eager to learn about gardening and animal care. A few years ago, she volunteered at an alpaca farm despite no prior experience. She quickly fell in love with farm life—hay bailing, poop cleanup, and all. She handled chores, helped sick animals, learned regenerative agriculture, harvested produce, and prepared it for CSA distribution.

After that summer, she contacted local farms and discovered the WWOOF program, which offered community, knowledge, adventure, and hope. Through WWOOF, she found her passion and a deeper purpose. Brianna is excited to keep learning, working hard, and helping farms worldwide while exploring adulthood. She’s grateful to WWOOF for giving her the chance to grow toward a more sustainable life.

Christopher

Christopher is a vanlifer, skateboarder, and filmmaker currently based in Washington. He loves hiking, calisthenics, and recently got into fishing.

He's passionate about self-sustainability and is diving deeper into farming practices that support an animal-based, whole food diet.

He and his girlfriend dream of starting their own farm—raising goats and ducks, growing fruits and vegetables, exploring natural pest control methods, baking sourdough, keeping bees, and much more.

Chyna

Chyna loves working with plants and learning about sustainable farming. She's excited to grow her skills in cultivation, herbalism, and community-based agriculture. She was introduced to farm work in the fall of 2020 at Philadelphia Community Farm in Wisconsin. In 2022, she moved to the farm and stayed for over a year.

She is an herbalist, and tended to the herb garden, did lots of seeding, planting and transplanting, harvesting, processing and medicine making. The farm really sparked something in her, and she hasn't found herself back in a city setting since. She feels called to continue stewarding the land in any way that she possibly can.

Constance

Connie was born and raised in New Jersey, is a teacher by trade, and a lifelong lover of learning. She feels deeply connected to the earth, and believes her life’s work is to be in harmony with the land, growing food with intention and sharing that abundance with her community.

Last year, she had the opportunity to WWOOF in Hawaii, where she visited several farms and had experiences that opened her eyes to what’s possible and deepened her passion for sustainable farming.

Joining the Future Farmer Program is an incredible opportunity that will allow her to expand her knowledge and refine her skills as she continues walking this path. She's excited to learn, grow, and take steps toward her long-term vision of owning her own sustainable farm.

Cydney

Cydney has always been a nurturer with a deep respect for our planet. However, her relationship with farming is new and exciting.

She started her journey with WWOOF USA in 2023 and has been inspired to continue exploring organic farms internationally since then. Cydney has aspirations to start a multifunctional community garden that focuses on increasing access to necessities like food, education and support for mental wellness.

Cydney is grateful to be given the opportunity to be a Future Farmer Awardee and feels this is another confirmation of her mission.

Damian

"Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food." - Hippocrates

Food is Medicine. After working for nearly a decade in Alternative Medicine, Damian recognized that the common denominator for nearly all patients was dietary based & rooted in a lack of connection to our food and where it comes from. After suffering for many years with on-going depression, he decided that he needed to leave life behind as he knew it and pursue a life of land based living.

He is now committing to building the skills required to grow food in any environment and helping to re-establish generational food stability. He is also a musician with a passion for organizing and managing wellness/educational retreats & courses.

Emiliano

Emiliano is passionate about co-creating thriving ecosystems with nature through permaculture. His roots in biological engineering and a childhood spent amongst plants and animals give him a unique perspective.

He inherited his grandmother's green thumb and her deep love for the land, which continue to inspire him. He and his wife dream of creating a farm sanctuary where people can connect with nature, heal, and find inner peace.

He's deeply inspired by ancient Mesoamerican wisdom and modern technology, and is excited to learn and grow through WWOOFing, deepening his understanding of permaculture and contributing to building harmonious ecosystems and communities.

Erica

Erica graduated from the University of Idaho with a degree in architecture and landscape architecture. After working for over a year as an architectural designer, Erica decided to pivot and pursue her underlying dream of being a farmer.

She participated in WWOOF while traveling abroad in many different countries including Italy, Greece, Thailand and Japan. After returning home, she moved to Bainbridge Island Washington and started working on an organic, mixed produce farm to gain experience as well as taking a job as the Bainbridge Island Farmers Market Manager. Erica is so happy she decided to take the leap to start farming and is excited about starting her own organic farm one day.

Forest

forest is a dreamer and a doer.

they enjoy acquiring new skills and experiences in hopes of passing them on to future communities. they have been shaped by the knowledge and kindness of others and want to help create similar spaces of self-sustaining mutual aid.

working outdoors and producing tangible fruits of their labor gratifies them most, and they are extremely excited to make the most of this opportunity!

Frankie

Frankie is a writer and artist reveling in the wonder of Minnesota's North Shore.

Her first-ever WWOOFing experience (nearly a decade ago in Finland) ignited a deep regard for all things sheep, sincere community, and tangible growth.

Frankie actively plans to use the knowledge/energy from WWOOFing across the U.S. to start a small but oh-so-mighty farm.

May it be a home to all kind(s of) creatures.

Ki’ilani

Ki’ilani was born and raised on the island of Kaua’i, the Garden Island of Hawai’i. Her goal for this program is to be able to use her farming experience to promote
self-sufficiency and sustainability throughout her home state.

She is currently finishing an undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in Religion, Spirituality, and Society. She is a firm believer that there is an inextricable link between mental health and community, and farming through WWOOF has provided her with a community in which she can support the people around her and the causes that are important to her. In her free time, she is an avid hiker, sourdough baker, and animal lover.

Maggie

Maggie is an aspiring farmer from Wisconsin. She was inspired to start WWOOFing last year when she began learning more about the intrinsic unsustainability of industrial agriculture.

She's had incredible experiences WWOOFing, and is so grateful for the creative and educational exchange it makes possible. She is passionate about living and growing food in a way that is regenerative and in harmony with the rest of nature. She loves having dirt under her fingernails, because it reminds her where she comes from.

Manòn

Manòn is a multidisciplinary artist, spoken word poet, filmmaker, educator, and cultural worker whose art blends with activism. Rooted in Hip Hop, poetry, and social justice, she uses performance and film to amplify voices, build empathy, and inspire change. Her work explores identity, equity, environmental justice, and healing.

Beyond art, Manòn is committed to land-based practices and sustainable futures. As a farming fellow with Growing Places Indy, she engaged in community urban agriculture. She also joined an Afro-Indigenous immersion in Cuba with Regla Soul, deepening her connection to ancestral wisdom and food sovereignty. Manòn bridges artistry and earthwork, envisioning a world where creative expression and ecological care go hand in hand.

Nick

Nick was born at Camp LeJeune and diagnosed with autism as a child, leading to her institutionalization. However, her grandmother believed in her potential and gained custody of her. Inspired by her grandparents, who nurtured her love for gardening, hunting, fishing, and entrepreneurship, Nick envisioned creating an organic farm. After college, marriage, and rearing two amazing children, she became a widow but held onto this lifelong goal.

Volunteering with WWOOF reignited this dream. Recently, Nick purchased land in Putnam County, Georgia, and is studying Sustainable Urban Agriculture at Augusta Technical College. Her vision is to build not just a farm, but to cultivate a diverse and inclusive community where people of all backgrounds and abilities can connect through a shared love of farming.

Noemi

Noemi is a first-generation Costa Rican immigrant and regenerative farmer dedicated to cultivating resilient food systems. She sees sustainable farming as an act of reclamation that heals land, empowers communities, and restores ecological balance. During the pandemic, she became aware of the growing disconnect between people, food, and Earth.

In 2021, while in high school, she discovered Red Wiggler Community Farm, where her passion for regenerative agriculture began. Since then, she has volunteered with WWOOF, studied at permaculture farms in Costa Rica, and interned at Rancho Mastatal. Noemi believes farming bridges past and future, people and planet. As a WWOOF Future Farmer, she is committed to reshaping food systems and deepening her knowledge to grow a more harmonious, sustainable world.

Philo

Philo is a trans man born and raised in the Texas hill country. He thought he'd live in cities and work indoors his entire life, but when he started WWOOFing he fell in love with farming immediately.

He previously worked in psychology labs and social work offices, and spent his whole workday missing his houseplants back at home.

He's grateful to WWOOF for giving him the opportunity to transform his life through the dignity of hard work, and he's honored to be part of the Future Farmer Program!

Precious

Precious is a Chicago-born, westside-raised, 17-year seasoned chef with a passion for food and hospitality! Throughout her career, she's always admired the farmer and the incredible skills that provide self-sustainability.

Her journey began at Kendal College, where she studied culinary and business management and had her first experience with gardening. Since then, she's accumulated over 35 house plants and a vibrant seasonal balcony garden filled with tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, and a variety of herbs. This skill has been a highlight of her life, giving her the confidence to embrace the homesteading lifestyle. She's on a mission to combat food insecurities in food deserts with the help of local community gardens, non-profit organizations, and dinner parties where she introduces people to new, healthy dishes.

She aspires to be part of a community that embodies a high quality of life and to build a future for her son that provides security, wealth, and a healthy lifestyle. This WWOOF experience is yet another milestone that will propel her towards her goals.

Rory

Rory is a passionate traveler and farmer who loves being outdoors and listening to music. Her interest in farming began with a curiosity about living things and the story behind food. Inspired by women farmers, she brings her full self to the work and believes farming is for everyone.

After feeling unfulfilled by online horticulture courses, WWOOF became her first hands-on experience and sparked a deeper commitment to agriculture. Rory now dreams of WWOOFing across every U.S. ecoregion to gain diverse experience. She envisions creating a community-centered farm on California’s coast focused on food sovereignty, education, and mutual aid. Excited to join the Future Farmer Program, Rory is dedicated to farming as a lifelong path rooted in equity and sustainability.

Susan

Susan is very glad to be participating in the Future Farmer Program and is excited to be WWOOFing this year at a production farm that is willing to have her learn with them.

Susan has been learning farming skills with WWOOF for the past three years and hopes to stay at a farm this summer that will launch her skills into the reality of becoming a farmer.

Susan likes to bake, loves bunnies, and believes in the power of food to heal.

Tony

Tony is a 90's child raised in eastern Massachusetts. Taking nearly every opportunity to be active was instrumental in developing his passion for the outdoors. Growing up in an urban setting, witnessing the emergence of his first bean sprout in grade school felt like pure magic.

Having an active role in the growth process helped transform and expand his perception of the social economical and biological worlds. Fast forward to present day, the passion that had been sparked all those years ago continues to burn brightly as he continues to work, and play, with kindred folk in an effort to cultivate the path to optimal health and prosperity.

Vee

Vee is a children’s book author and naturopath-at-heart from Chicago, IL. She finds peace in nature and is passionate about feeding her community healthy meals and healing herbs.

Vee is moved by the lack of access many people have to healthy food, herbs and supplements and has vowed to help those in need not only with their physical healing but spiritual healing as well. She aspires to be a force in the world of agriculture by growing food that touches the soul and is thankful to be on that path with WWOOF.

Zephyr

Zephyr is a 26yr old Singer/Songwriter, designer/builder and an all around artist. He lives in Alabama where he's been designing and building himself a home since he was 17.

He's had a lot of time to try different skills and really learn who he is. He loves Soccer, cooking, fitness, music, dance, carpentry, drawing, farming, and film.

His goal is to live a debt free, full life, centered around nature and community!

Support Future Farmers

The average age of a farmer in the USA is 58. You can help us grow a new generation Future Farmers in America.

WWOOF is on a mission to grow future organic farmers through hands-on education and inspiring cultural exchanges, while supporting the farmers who are feeding their communities and training the next generation.

When you support WWOOF, you’re directly supporting our Future Farmer Program, farmer training, the organic food movement, and a brighter, healthier future for people and the planet.

Will you help us inspire and educate Future Farmers?

Support the Future Farmer Program