Welcome to the WWOOF Portugal 2025 National Meeting! We are excited to bring the WWOOF community together for another memorable meeting full of learning, sharing, fun and connections. Whether you’re a Host or WWOOFer, new to the community, or just curious – this meetup is for EVERYONE – and the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the spirit of organic farming, community, and sustainable living.
Introduction to the Event
Our Annual Gathering is an event that celebrates the vibrant community of WWOOFers, Hosts and supporters dedicated to sustainable agriculture and cultural exchange. Join us for a diverse schedule of workshops, discussions and hands-on activities, all designed to inspire.
You will have the opportunity to meet like-minded people, exchange ideas and participate in meaningful conversations about the future of sustainable living. This year’s program includes the WWOOF Farmers’ Market, lunch and dinner together, workshops, sharing about the WWOOF movement and a good show at the end of the day.
PROGRAM:
10:00 – 10:30 Welcome
10:30 – 11:30 Presentation of the project Freedom Ville
Freedom Ville
We will be guided on a tour of the place that will welcome us. We will get to know the project and the activities carried out there. Discover the location: https://wwoof.pt/en/host/52560
11:30 – 12:45 WWOOF Chat
WWOOF Chat!
Introduction to WWOOF, WWOOF Portugal, presentation of the WWOOF Federation, and current projects of WWOOF Portugal.
We expect to have some time for sharing and questions.
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch – Delicious food prepared by Freedom Ville!
14:00 – 15:30 Workshop 1 – Plant for the Future, with Adam Thomas
Plant for the Future
An introduction to food forestry method of regenerative agriculture. We’ll be talking about basic concepts and design and then, plant a few trees.
15:45 – 17:15 Workshop 2 – Natural Building Workshop: How to Make Wattle and Daub Walls with Bottle Bricks, with Rety and Bruno
Natural Building Workshop: How to Make Wattle and Daub Walls with Bottle Bricks
In this short workshop, natural building enthusiasts Bruno and Rety will share their knowledge and experience with various natural building techniques that they have used on their farm — including strawbale construction, cob and lime plaster, wattle and daub, and bottle brick cob walls. They will discuss practical tips as well as the challenges they’ve faced with each method.
The second part of the workshop will be a hands-on demonstration, where you’ll learn how to build a simple wattle and daub wall incorporating bottle bricks. Everyone will have the chance to get their hands dirty and try out the technique.
We hope this workshop will give you enough practical knowledge and confidence to start building your own wattle and daub structure at home.
Mindfulness in the Garden
– MicroPractices You Can Do Anywhere –
Working on a farm can be stressful… there are relationships to navigate, weather to deal with, bills to pay, sick animals, sick people, clogged pumps, broken pipes, land to clear… again…
One simple way to find calm in the midst of your day is to do micro-practices, little bits of mindfulness that get you out of the mess in your head (and heart), out of the stress & worry, and bring you back down to the ground – where the flowers are, the friends (furry, feathered, leaved, two legged) – and the calm clarity to deal with it all.
The beauty is you’re probably already doing this, just not on purpose. This isn’t a magic wand. It’s a life skill that you can cultivate. Come remember how to harness your natural ability to be in the present and embrace the mess with these little tools you can do while you weed, water and work.
We’ll walk around outside so you can feel how to do this as you flow through your day.
Workshop Leader:
Elena Foucher has been meditating since 2004 and coaching since 2010. She’s helped healers in Thailand, CEO’s in Hong Kong, sanghas in the States, artists in France and farmers in Portugal find their little bit of zen.
20:00 – 21:00 Dinner – More delicious food prepared by Freedom Ville
21:00 – 23:00 Concert – The Chocolat’s
The Chocolat’s
Music full of rhythm and energy to dance, jump and sweat! Riding the wave of groove, soul, samba and more…
WHEN?
11th of October 2025 from 10am to 11pm
WHERE?
At the wonderful project Freedom Ville! Take a look HERE
WHO?
All types of WWOOF lovers: Hosts, WWOOFers, friends and wannabes. Just come! =)
HOW MUCH?
€27 per person for the whole day with workshops, food, concert and camping included!
Click here for accommodation options and location.
Any question, you can contact us at sara@wwoof.pt