Having Little in Common Brings Us Together

By Liam Roberson

My new cultural environment at Church Farm Ardeley has been completely foreign to me. I have never had consecutive days and weeks with a variety of jobs and tasks to complete. Your mind and body change the longer you are committed to the work you put in. The farm staff is from England and is less than a fifteen-minute drive away from the farm. The other WWOOFer volunteers, like me, are from all over Europe and North America. It’s nice to have such a balance of local people as well as others from countries where I have never met another person from.

            I do feel a sense of community here at Church Farm. Since other WWOOFers volunteer at the farm, I feel a sense of community with them, despite having so little in common; yet, that brings us together. Volunteers from all walks of life, different age ranges, and different customs, come together to work and share who they are. I have become accustomed to English culture, with a more social and community-oriented atmosphere in every aspect throughout the day. It is weird to be in the pub and at other events by yourself and not be social.

            My sense of community has changed dramatically since I have been at Church Farm. Not only is there a community at the farm, but also at Stevenage, since I have been there so many times. It is nice to see familiar faces as well as meet new ones. What I have noticed during my experience is that no two days are the same. I noticed how the different avenues that I take in the community are new and refreshing.