by Zoe Gowers and Tom Grace; via WWOOF Independents
For five weeks between October and November, Zoe and Tom visited a WWOOF site in Tobago. Their experience was not only about farming, but also about immersing themselves in the island’s cuisine, culture, and community. They were hosted by Dr. Jennifer Bailey at her farm, Eden’s Door – an oasis abundant with fruit trees, herbs, vegetables, walking trails, and guest accommodation.
As first time WWOOFers, we both came with little to no experience of how farming let alone tropical farming was conducted and no preconceived perceptions of what lay ahead.
Zoe: I had just completed an MA in Food and Development, spending months studying farming, climate change, nutrition, and global food systems. After so much reading, I was eager to get my hands in the soil. We explored opportunities through the WWOOF website, and Eden’s Door immediately stood out as the perfect place to put theory into practice.
Tom: Growing up with garden-loving parents, I was always intrigued by the question:how hard is it really to tend a plot? Eden’s Door particularly appealed to me because of its fitness trail the connection between nature, wellness, and exercise is something I’m passionate about, and this seemed like the perfect chance to see it in action.
Zoe: Arriving in Tobago, I had no idea what to expect. After a long day of travel, we stepped into a warm night filled with unfamiliar insect sounds. Tucked away from the rest of the island, Eden’s Door greeted us with a welcome dinner prepared by Dr Bailey and her friend Ava. Snapper, rice, and more vegetables than I could count filled the table. Music played, drinks were served, and in that moment I knew we were in for an exciting few weeks.
Tom: The first day at Eden’s door was a baptism by fire – the tasks were varied and numerous. Despite being simple to Jennifer, they took some getting used to. Of joy was learning how to make garden beds which involved a steep learning curve on the use of the hoe and the cutlass (machete). My highlight over the time though was restoring a cabin to its former glory which can be used to house guests/visitors!
Zoe: As time passed, tasks that first felt daunting became second nature. We settled into a gentle rhythm that followed the daylight, spending nearly every moment outdoors, surrounded by nature. Each evening, dinner featured an incredible variety of vegetables, herbs, and spices, many completely new to us. Jennifer is an exceptional cook and we were certainly well fed during our stay.
Other highlights included waking early on Fridays to join the locals for a sunrise swim at the beach and meeting the steady stream of friends and helpers who passed through Eden’s Door. Tobagonians are exceptionally friendly, I loved that there was always someone stopping by to lend a hand or share a story.
We also were lucky enough to visit the famous reef – which was alive with many differing types of coral and tropical fish. The wildlife in general in Tobago was a real surprise from nine different species of hummingbird to endemic geckos, the island offered an abundance of nature to explore.
Key learnings and insights we will take from this trip are:
- Climate change is a serious threat. Seeing firsthand the limits of water supply on the island, both domestic and agricultural, was eye-opening. After a dry September, we experienced several days with no water, forcing careful planning and rationing. This is likely to become more common as climate patterns shift.
- Technology and logistics strongly shape agricultural productivity. Tobago’s small population of just over 60,000and limited commercial farming mean that access to tools, supplies, and machinery is restricted. Deliveries can take weeks, and problem-solving often requires creativity and resilience. This causes delays in work and the need for a creative mindset to overcome challenges.
- Daring to dream – despite having little experience we both surprised ourselves with what we were able to accomplish over the weeks. We were both in awe at Dr Bailey’s mindset to continue to challenge themselves to reach their desired goals. This mindset is something we hope to carry with us into whatever we pursue in the future.
Our time at Eden’s Door has left us with full hearts, muddy boots and a renewed appreciation for the people who grow the food we eat. We leave Tobago grateful for Jennifer’s generosity, the lessons learned through hands on work and the warmth of the community that welcomed us. It goes without saying but we would love to do more WWOOF opportunities and we are eager to spread the word about how transformative the experience can be.
Main house at Eden’s Door (left) & Zoe with host Jennifer for a cultural experience celebrating All Saints’ Day (right).
To learn more about WWOOFing with this host, check out Jennfier’s host profile here: https://wwoofindependents.org/en/host/42955
And to find a host farm near you, start by going to wwoof.net’s homepage to discover hosts around the world!
