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Keene State's Mills Goes Organic in Hawaii
KEENE, N.H., 9/2/10 – A year ago, Paige Mills and her family went to Hawaii for a summer vacation. Her trip to the island this summer was much different.
Instead of going the typical tourist route, Mills, a Keene native and member of the Keene State cross country and track teams, returned to Hawaii as a WWOOFer.
Looking to do some volunteer work, Mills found out about World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) through a friend. With her curiosity piqued, Mills did some research and quickly concluded she would spend four weeks of her summer as a WWOOFER in Hawaii.
Formally called Working Weekends on Organic Farms, WWOOF got its start in England in 1971 as a way for people to travel to countryside farms and support the organic movement. When the demand for longer periods on farms occurred, the movement quickly took off. Today, WWOOF is international, with over 43 countries involved with the program.
Possessing a genuine interest in learning about organic growing, country living, and an ecological, sound lifestyle, Mills fit the description of a WWOOFER volunteer to a T.
“I’ve had an interest in health and an organic lifestyle since I began running," said Mills, the 2009 Little East Conference women’s cross country runner of the year and an NCAA championship qualifier. “At home, everyone calls me the granola of the family.”
Mills, who frequents farmer’s markets in Keene and Brattleboro, decided on Hawaii as her WWOOF destination because of its climate and its people. “Hawaii is almost like a third-world country with the luxury of being in the United States,” said Mills. “The people are simple and not materialistic. When I travel, I like to get a taste of the culture and the people.”
WWOOFERS choose their hosts and usually live as part of the family. The hosts provide hands-on experience in organic growing and other learning opportunities, while the volunteers provide inexpensive labor.
Mills’ first host family lived in Pahoa, a remote town south of Hilo. Working six hours a day and four days a week, Mills helped build lava rock walls and tend to the family's lush garden, which produced avocados, papayas, and mangos.
In addition to enjoying the fruits of her labor, Mills also enjoyed many a good night’s sleep. Since the family had no electricity, Mills, who lived in a tent, was early to bed and early to rise. “You wake up every morning feeling refreshed and healthy,” she said.
Two weeks later, Mills joined her second host family on the other side of the Island in Captain Cook. Although they also grew many native fruits, Mills was assigned the task of taking care of the family’s goats.
Mills said that goats typically prefer male attendants, so it took a while for them to warm up to her. However, her hard work was rewarded by some of the best-tasting goat cheese and kefir this side of Honolulu.
Throughout her stay, Mills was impressed by the peoples’ spiritual bond to the land and their desire to recycle and re-nourish their property. Living mostly away from tourist traffic, the locals try to preserve the culture and began their day down at the bay, swimming and frolicking with dolphins. According to local legend, the dolphins provide a therapeutic remedy for sickness and disease.
Mills called her runs amidst the spectacular scenery the most beautiful of her life, and even enjoyed the challenge of climbing the many volcanoes on her route.
It was hard for Mills to pack her bags and return to Keene. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the best thing I’ve ever done,” she said.
Back in Keene and getting ready for another school year, Paige continues to be a devoted advocate for farming and the organic cause. Although she received academic credit from Keene State for writing a paper and keeping a detailed journal of her trip, Mills, a junior health science major, hopes the school will establish a program that allows students to travel and experience life as a WWOOFER.
But even WWOOFERs have a sweet tooth. “I’m realistic. Everything in moderation,” said Mills, who subscribes to the 80/20 rule: 80 percent healthy and 20 percent fun. “Ice cream is my weakness, especially peanut butter fudge. I like eating healthy, but I also enjoy my sweets.”
