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WWOOF


WWOOF, an originally for "Working Weekends on Farms" and later expanded to "World Wide Opportunities on Farms," is a decentralized international network that pairs volunteers, known as WWOOFers, with organic farmers and growers for reciprocal work exchanges. Volunteers typically contribute 4 to 6 hours of daily labor on tasks such as planting, harvesting, or animal care, in return for meals, accommodation, and hands-on learning about organic and sustainable agricultural methods. The program emphasizes cultural immersion, skill-sharing, and promotion of regenerative farming practices without monetary transactions, fostering a non-commercial ethos rooted in mutual benefit and . Founded in 1971 by Sue Coppard, a secretary disillusioned with urban life, WWOOF began as a modest initiative in to connect city dwellers with rural farms for weekend escapes that highlighted the value of sustainable food production. Over the subsequent decades, it evolved from short-term visits into a global phenomenon, with independent organizations operating in over 100 countries, adapting to local contexts while maintaining core principles of integrity and volunteer-host reciprocity. This expansion has enabled millions of participants to engage directly with soil-based economies, contributing to heightened awareness of , preservation, and alternatives to . While WWOOF has been credited with building grassroots support for movements and facilitating cross-cultural dialogues on , participant experiences vary widely due to the program's reliance on reliability and minimal centralized oversight in many affiliates. Reports from volunteers highlight benefits like practical skill acquisition and community ties, yet some document inconsistencies such as extended work hours, substandard living conditions, or mismatched expectations, underscoring the importance of in selection through available mechanisms. These dynamics reflect the inherent challenges of decentralized, trust-based models in promoting authentic agrarian education amid diverse global farm operations.

Origins and History

Founding and Early Development

WWOOF originated in the in autumn 1971, when Sue Coppard, a secretary working in , established the program initially known as "Working Weekends on Organic Farms." Coppard sought to bridge the urban-rural divide by facilitating short visits from city residents to organic farms, enabling participants to gain hands-on in and food production. This model addressed growing interest in methods during a period of increasing environmental awareness and skepticism toward industrialized food systems. The program's early operations relied on modest, efforts, with Coppard coordinating matches through basic listings and personal networks rather than formalized . Demand grew amid the countercultural emphasis on self-sufficiency and back-to-the-land movements, prompting extensions beyond weekends as volunteers sought longer immersions in rural skills. By the mid-1970s, the had evolved to represent "World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms," reflecting these prolonged stays and broader aspirations, though the core exchange of labor for lodging and education remained unchanged. In 1973, Coppard temporarily stepped back from operations for a year, which spurred community members to assume greater responsibility and sustain the initiative independently. This period marked the publication of the first formal of participating farms, formalizing the matching process and accelerating early adoption among like-minded individuals drawn to practical . The transition highlighted WWOOF's decentralized ethos, rooted in voluntary collaboration rather than centralized authority.

International Expansion

WWOOF's international expansion began shortly after its founding in the , with establishing one of the earliest overseas groups in 1973 to connect volunteers with farms and promote hands-on learning in . This initiative was followed by in 1981, where Lionel Pollard founded the program to assist emerging and biodynamic growers by facilitating volunteer labor exchanges via printed directories. During the , the model spread to the and several European countries, including , as national affiliates formed independently to address local demands for educational exchanges in practices amid growing in ecological farming. These early expansions relied on manual coordination through mail-order host lists, enabling adaptation to regional agricultural variations without centralized oversight from the originator. As WWOOF groups proliferated, the original name—"Working Weekends on Organic Farms"—proved limiting for extended volunteer commitments, prompting a shift in the 1980s and 1990s to "Willing Workers on Farms" across many affiliates to reflect multi-week or monthly stays. By the 1990s, organizations began broadening eligibility beyond strict farm settings to include non-agricultural organic projects, such as demonstrations and eco-villages, to align with evolving definitions of in diverse national contexts like urban-rural divides in and self-sufficiency movements in . This flexibility fostered organic growth but also highlighted variances in standards, with independent national entities managing their own memberships, insurance requirements, and cultural emphases—such as emphasizing in groups versus bush regeneration in ones—rather than enforcing a UK-derived structure. The decentralized proliferation of autonomous national organizations by the late marked a pivotal shift from ad-hoc inspiration to a federated , prioritizing local relevance over global uniformity while sharing core principles of . Pre-internet operations, involving thousands of volunteers annually by decade's end, underscored the program's resilience and appeal in promoting causal links between practical labor and . This foundation of self-governing affiliates set the stage for formal international coordination in the , culminating in the Federation of WWOOF Organisations to harmonize guidelines amid continued expansion.

Recent Developments (2000–Present)

In the early , WWOOF transitioned from mailed physical directories to platforms, enabling searchable listings of host farms by location and keywords, which improved and matching efficiency for participants. The inaugural International WWOOF Conference in , involving representatives from countries, established operational guidelines that facilitated this shift toward standardized coordination across affiliates. To promote and host accountability, many national organizations implemented mutual review systems, where both volunteers and hosts submit feedback post-stay, with reviews published only after both parties contribute or a deadline passes. Post-2020, WWOOF adapted to heightened interest in amid global disruptions by launching targeted programs, such as WWOOF USA's Future Farmers initiative in 2020, which by May 2025 had awarded over $315,000 in grants to 87 recipients, supporting more than 17,000 hours of hands-on training on farms. Geographic expansion continued with the April 28, 2025, launch of WWOOF as a dedicated affiliate, managing local opportunities to promote practices in the region. The September 2025 International WWOOF Meeting in central , attended by over 70 representatives from 21 countries, prioritized advancements like the forthcoming WWOOF for unified profiles, , and communication across 100+ countries, alongside initiatives such as WWOOF UK's taster days on October 4, 2025, allowing short trial visits to assess fit before full commitments. By 2025, the network spanned more than 130 countries, reflecting cumulative participation by hundreds of thousands through these enhancements.

Organizational Structure

Federation and National Affiliates

The WWOOF network functions through a decentralized model comprising autonomous national organizations, enabling localized adaptation to legal, cultural, and agricultural contexts rather than imposing a uniform centralized structure. This approach fosters operational independence, with each affiliate tailoring its directory listings, membership processes, and support mechanisms to regional needs. The Federation of WWOOF Organizations (FoWO), established to coordinate international efforts, facilitates , advocates for shared principles like ecological farming, and supports the integration of new groups, but exercises no legal oversight or enforcement power over affiliates. For example, it assisted in transitioning from management under an international independent body to its own autonomous organization in 2024, highlighting its role in promotion rather than control. entities, operating in over 130 countries, independently handle host farm vetting, fee collection—for access to listings—and dispute , resulting in diverse practices such as varying requirements for host applications or volunteer orientations. Organic and sustainability standards among hosts exhibit significant variability across affiliates, with most relying on self-declaration by farms of adherence to agroecological practices rather than mandatory third-party audits or certifications. While some groups conduct pre-listing visits, reference checks, or initial approvals to confirm basic ecological commitments, others depend primarily on post-experience feedback from volunteers to maintain , underscoring the absence of federation-wide protocols. This self-reliant model prioritizes host but can lead to inconsistencies in the rigor of sustainability claims.

Membership Models and Operations

WWOOF operates through independent national or regional affiliates, each functioning as a that sustains itself primarily via membership dues from participants and hosts. Volunteers, known as WWOOFers, pay an annual membership fee to access a country's host directory, with costs typically ranging from $20 to $70 USD depending on the affiliate; for instance, WWOOF charges around $40 for an individual, while some groups like those in or offer rates as low as $15–$21. These fees grant WWOOFers online access to host profiles, search tools, messaging features, and sometimes review systems, but do not cover travel, insurance, or on-site expenses. Hosts, usually organic farmers or growers, contribute listing fees or donations to maintain their profiles in the directory, enabling them to recruit volunteers; fees can range from $35 to $70 annually in affiliates like . This supports operational costs, including website maintenance and administrative tasks, often handled by small volunteer teams within the nonprofits rather than paid staff. Affiliates provide logistical guidance, such as requirements and basic recommendations, though coverage and detail vary by group, with no mandatory global standards or centralized verification. The underlying economic framework emphasizes a system rather than waged , where WWOOFers daily labor—typically 4–6 hours—for room, board, and informal skill-sharing in practices, positioning the arrangement as cultural and educational over commercial labor. No wages are involved, and affiliates explicitly frame participation as voluntary skill-building to distinguish it from formal work, relying on mutual agreements without overarching liability protections from a central body. This decentralized structure, with each affiliate managing its own digital platform for host-volunteer matching absent a unified global database, fosters local adaptation but limits interoperability across borders.

Volunteering Mechanics

Participant Matching and Agreements

Volunteers initiate participation by purchasing a membership through a national WWOOF affiliate or the international platform, which provides access to an online directory of host farms and properties. Membership enables browsing of host profiles, often filtered by criteria such as location, size, activities offered, and availability, allowing prospective volunteers to identify potential matches based on self-assessed compatibility. Direct contact with hosts occurs via email or provided communication channels listed in the directory, where volunteers inquire about openings and negotiate preliminary arrangements. Agreements between volunteers and hosts are formalized informally through exchanges, specifying the visit duration—typically one to two weeks but extendable to months by mutual consent—the expected work contribution of approximately four to six hours daily or 25 hours weekly, and the provision of meals and in return, without monetary compensation. WWOOF organizations conduct no centralized vetting of either volunteers or hosts beyond basic listing criteria for hosts, such as adherence to principles; instead, participants rely on direct communication, prior reviews from past volunteers (where available via affiliate feedback systems), and personal to evaluate suitability and mitigate risks. Prospective volunteers must independently address requirements, as WWOOF provides no assistance or guarantees; many utilize tourist s, positioning the as cultural or educational immersion rather than , though some jurisdictions issue warnings that pre-arranged farm labor could lead to entry denials or violations if perceived as unauthorized work. Organizations emphasize that volunteers bear full responsibility for compliance, with hosts under no obligation to supply invitation letters or endorsements.

Daily Work Expectations and Exchanges

Volunteers in WWOOF programs typically commit to 4-6 hours of work per day, 5-6 days per week, amounting to approximately 20-30 hours total, with a maximum of 38 hours over 7 days in many national affiliates. These hours focus on practical agricultural labor, such as planting seeds and seedlings, weeding and mulching, harvesting crops, composting organic waste, and basic like feeding and cleaning. In return, hosts furnish volunteers with three meals daily, often prepared from on-site produce and emphasizing vegetarian or plant-based options aligned with sustainable farming principles, alongside lodging such as shared dormitories, caravans, or simple rooms integrated into the farm infrastructure. This exchange excludes monetary payment, positioning the arrangement as a non-wage centered on mutual support for organic operations rather than . Beyond routine tasks, the daily routine incorporates informal instruction in methods, including design, , and enhancement, facilitated through direct observation and host guidance during work periods. Some hosts extend involvement to ancillary projects like eco-building maintenance or , though the primary emphasis remains on core activities to sustain the host's production. Expectations are outlined in pre-arrival agreements between volunteers and hosts, allowing minor adjustments for seasonal demands or weather, but adhering to the program's foundational time limits to prevent overburdening.

Legal and Practical Considerations

WWOOF participants are explicitly classified as guests or cultural exchange visitors rather than employees, with no wages exchanged for labor; this arrangement avoids status under most national labor laws but requires adherence to regulations prohibiting unauthorized work. In jurisdictions like the and , immigration authorities enforce strict rules against using volunteer programs to circumvent work , potentially leading to or bans for violations. Hosts typically bear no obligation for comprehensive worker compensation, offering only basic accommodation and meals, while participants must secure personal travel medical covering accidents, illness, and evacuation, as group-provided coverage is often limited to basic accident policies. Disputes between hosts and volunteers, such as mismatched expectations on work hours or living conditions, are generally resolved informally through direct communication or national WWOOF group's mediation processes, which emphasize confidentiality and may result in membership suspension for repeated misconduct without formal . Liability for injuries remains primarily on the participant, with hosts advised to maintain insurance but not required to cover volunteer-specific risks, underscoring the need for pre-arrival agreements outlining daily tasks and emergency protocols. Practically, volunteers should prepare for physically demanding rural labor by packing durable clothing, sturdy boots, work gloves, and tools like a or , alongside personal medications and items suited to off-grid settings without reliable utilities. Health precautions include up-to-date vaccinations, fitness assessment for tasks like heavy lifting or extended outdoor exposure, and contingency plans for remote farm access, often involving , , or walking, which can extend several hours in areas with sparse . Country-specific variations amplify logistical challenges; for instance, non-English-speaking affiliates in regions like rural or present language barriers that hinder task instructions and safety communication, necessitating basic proficiency or translation apps for effective integration. In developing host countries, Western volunteers predominate, facing cultural adjustments to local customs, variable sanitation standards, and dietary differences, while transportation to isolated sites may rely on infrequent buses or host pickups amid uneven road conditions. By 2023, WWOOF networks had facilitated connections for over 100,000 volunteers across approximately 12,000 farms in more than 130 countries, though annual global participation figures remain unstandardized due to decentralized reporting.

Purported Benefits

Advantages for Volunteers

Volunteers participating in WWOOF programs receive free from host farms in exchange for approximately 4-6 hours of daily labor, substantially lowering accommodation and food expenses during travel and enabling extended stays on modest budgets. This cost-saving structure allows individuals to explore multiple destinations sequentially without the financial burden of traditional , with reports indicating that participants can sustain international journeys for months with savings primarily allocated to transportation between farms. The hands-on work fosters practical skill acquisition in , including methods like composting, , and design, alongside broader competencies in manual labor and that prove transferable to or off-grid living. Research on volunteer experiences highlights gains in food provisioning knowledge, such as harvesting and preservation techniques, which enhance participants' long-term self-sufficiency in producing and processing . Empirical accounts from WWOOFers document increased environmental consciousness and a deepened connection to , with qualitative studies reporting heightened appreciation for ecological processes following farm-based . These outcomes align with volunteer analyses, where participants exhibit improved , including understanding seasonal growing cycles and , post-experience. Cultural immersion arises from residing with families in rural settings, facilitating direct exposure to local , dialects, and agrarian lifestyles, which supports and international networking among like-minded individuals committed to . Many volunteers describe transformative personal growth, attributed to the disconnection from urban routines and reliance on communal, labor-intensive living, though such self-reported benefits likely reflect toward those inclined to publicize favorable outcomes.

Advantages for Host Farms

Host farms benefit from WWOOF by gaining access to motivated volunteer labor that supplements needs without wage obligations, typically limited to about 25 hours per week in exchange for . This is especially valuable for small operations grappling with seasonal peaks in demand, such as harvesting, where financial constraints limit hiring paid employees. A 2014 study of WWOOF hosts in North and documented how such inexpensive labor alleviates shortages, bolstering farm productivity amid broader challenges in . International volunteers often introduce diverse perspectives and techniques from their home countries, enabling hosts to engage in reciprocal that refines local practices. For instance, WWOOF highlights how hosts share expertise while gaining fresh ideas from volunteers' backgrounds, contributing to adaptive improvements in farm management. This exchange supports , as evidenced in empirical evaluations showing enhanced operational resilience for participating farms. Beyond labor and skills, hosting cultivates global connections through cultural interactions and shared meals, countering rural isolation and integrating farms into WWOOF's international network, which can elevate visibility among eco-conscious consumers. Economically, this model offsets elevated production costs—such as and inputs—by embedding volunteer support into viable, low-overhead frameworks, allowing hosts to prioritize ecological methods over short-term profitability pressures.

Criticisms and Challenges

Allegations of Labor Exploitation

Volunteers have frequently reported hosts demanding labor beyond the standard 4-6 hours per day outlined in WWOOF guidelines, with shifts extending to 8-10 hours of physically demanding or repetitive tasks such as weeding, cleaning, or unrelated chores, often sidelining promised educational components on organic farming. These accounts, drawn from personal testimonies on travel forums and review sites, describe inadequate meals, substandard lodging, and a lack of reciprocity, fostering perceptions of exploitation where volunteers subsidize farm operations without equivalent value in knowledge or hospitality. A notable example occurred at Robinwood near , , where in 2017-2018 investigations revealed hosts hiring out WWOOF volunteers to third parties for profit, providing spoiled food, and confining workers to storage spaces, prompting labor inspectorate intervention and the farm's exclusion from WWOOF networks. Similar patterns emerge in user reviews across platforms, where hosts in labor-intensive sectors allegedly leverage the program to fill gaps without wages, treating participants as disposable staff amid rising operational costs. The program's reliance on informal, non-binding agreements exacerbates these risks, as no standardized contracts enforce terms, leaving volunteers—often travelers with limited alternatives—vulnerable to host once onsite and dependent on provided basics. This structure, while intended for mutual benefit, causally enables imbalances in the niche, where hosts may prioritize productivity over , as evidenced by recurring complaints of unfulfilled promises despite upfront via listings and . Defenders, including WWOOF affiliates, counter that the model hinges on voluntary participation, with volunteers empowered to negotiate upfront or exit arrangements freely, mitigating through self-selection and post-stay systems that flag repeat offenders. Aggregate reviews indicate most placements yield positive outcomes, with platforms reporting satisfaction rates around 4.8 out of 5 from thousands of participants, suggesting claims, while valid in subsets, do not typify the broader corpus of self-reported experiences.

Safety, Oversight, and Host Quality Issues

WWOOF organizations generally conduct limited of hosts, relying primarily on self-reported information and basic application processes without mandatory checks or site inspections in most groups. This approach has drawn for enabling variability in host quality, with volunteers reporting substandard such as moldy mattresses leading to respiratory issues, freezing showers in cold weather, and inadequate facilities. In one documented case from 2011, a volunteer in suffered chemical exposure from spraying pesticides without protective gear in extreme heat, resulting in rashes, , and chest tightness, which hosts dismissed despite symptoms. Oversight mechanisms, including complaint processes, have been described as unresponsive by multiple volunteers, particularly in WWOOF USA, where reports of unsafe experiences often receive minimal follow-up, and problematic hosts remain listed despite feedback. Accounts highlight power imbalances exacerbating risks, such as , threats of abrupt dismissal, or in remote locations without reliable transport, leaving volunteers—often young or low-income—dependent on hosts for basic needs and hesitant to complain due to fear of retaliation or lack of alternatives. and LGBTQ+ participants face heightened vulnerabilities, including uncomfortable shared arrangements with unrelated adults or intolerance from hosts, underscoring gaps in screening for interpersonal dynamics. While WWOOF groups maintain policies against , , and threats—reserving rights to suspend members—and encourage post-stay reviews, appears inconsistent, with sometimes restricted or not leading to host removal. Volunteers are advised to prepare self-protection measures, such as sharing itineraries, maintaining emergency contacts, and verifying host details via multiple communications prior to arrival, as organizational recourse may be limited in isolated incidents. These reports, drawn from personal accounts and analyses up to 2025, indicate that while many exchanges proceed safely, systemic oversight deficiencies contribute to occasional exposure to , neglect, or environmental hazards without adequate mediation.

Broader Economic and Ideological Critiques

Critics argue that WWOOF's reliance on unpaid volunteer labor effectively subsidizes small , allowing operations that might otherwise fail due to economic inefficiency to persist by avoiding costs and market discipline. This mechanism distorts agricultural labor markets, as hosts can undercut paid workers' , reducing incentives for to innovate or scale efficiently and exacerbating for laborers seeking compensated . In host countries with developing economies, WWOOF volunteers from affluent nations often fill roles that could employ locals at low wages, enabling hosts to bypass hiring community members and perpetuating without fostering sustainable local job creation. challenges claims that such programs merely supplement rather than displace domestic labor, highlighting how free, short-term inputs from foreigners sustain low-cost models detached from regional wage dynamics. Ideologically, WWOOF faces scrutiny as a vehicle for performative , where volunteers pursue transient "" immersions that signal ethical commitment without addressing systemic agricultural challenges, potentially masking host practices that deviate from rigorous organic standards through superficial eco-appeal. Such critiques portray the program as romanticized eco-tourism that prioritizes individual fulfillment over causal economic realism, though defenders counter that it instills and hands-on work values akin to traditional agrarian ethics.

Empirical Impact and Evaluation

Environmental and Agricultural Outcomes

WWOOF volunteers contribute to farms by providing labor for tasks essential to practices, such as planting, weeding, and harvesting, which support the maintenance of biodiversity-friendly methods and on small-scale operations. In a study of WWOOF s in the , farmers reported that volunteers addressed labor shortages, enabling enhanced and alignment with sustainable systems, though benefits varied due to volunteers' inexperience. These efforts aid the viability of marginal farms amid the dominance of , where small operations often struggle with costs and labor. However, the short-term nature of WWOOF stays—typically 4-6 hours of daily work for periods of days to weeks—limits potential for sustained environmental improvements, as temporary labor may not foster long-term or stability. methods promoted via WWOOF, while enhancing biotic richness and sequestration, generally yield 20-25% less than conventional systems, necessitating more land for equivalent food production and potentially increasing overall environmental footprints like habitat conversion. No large-scale empirical audits exist on WWOOF's aggregate environmental or agricultural outcomes, with available evidence relying on host self-reports of operational boosts rather than quantified metrics like indices or per . Hosts in case studies note indirect gains, such as preserved healthy through volunteer-assisted maintenance, but critiques highlight risks of inconsistent application undermining claims. While WWOOF may diffuse knowledge of regenerative techniques, its scale remains niche, unlikely to significantly counter broader conventional trends.

Cultural and Skill-Building Effects

WWOOF participation facilitates the acquisition of practical skills beyond , such as cooking, , and basic , which participants report as enhancing self-sufficiency and adaptability. In a phenomenological study of volunteers in , all interviewees gained diverse hands-on abilities through observation and intergenerational learning, with longer stays correlating to mastery of complex tasks like animal processing. Similarly, identity-focused research on volunteer tourists, including WWOOFers, highlights skill-building in sustainable practices as a pathway to increased and , with respondents noting shifts toward self-reliant lifestyles post-experience. Cultural exchange emerges as a core non-agricultural outcome, with volunteers bridging urban-rural divides through in host communities. A survey of 1,184 WWOOFers in revealed that 60% originated from urban backgrounds, yet 80% expressed post-participation interest in countryside living, attributing this to authentic interactions with locals and farm life. participants similarly reported universal improvements in competence via shared activities like communal meals, fostering despite predominantly Western demographics limiting global diversity in exchanges. These encounters often yield broadened worldviews, as volunteers describe escaping tourist isolation for genuine relational bonds. Academic evaluations emphasize experiential learning's role in personal development, with aggregated participant feedback prioritizing gains in environmental awareness and rural affinity over occasional reports of social isolation. Norwegian data indicate 70% of respondents aspired to organic farming ownership after WWOOFing, suggesting sustained skill transfer and lifestyle reevaluation. While some studies note challenges in sustaining urban-to-rural transitions, positives in self-insight and cultural adaptability predominate, positioning WWOOF as a vehicle for transformative, albeit demographically selective, growth.

Quantitative Data and Reception Studies

WWOOF maintains active listings for over 12,000 host farms across more than 130 countries, facilitating connections for tens of thousands of volunteers annually through national and international directories. Since its founding in , the network has engaged over 100,000 volunteers globally, with historical data from 2010 indicating approximately 11,900 hosts and 80,000 participants worldwide, reflecting steady expansion driven by online platforms. Growth has persisted into the 2020s, as evidenced by U.S.-based initiatives like the Future Farmer Program, which supported 87 alumni with grants exceeding $315,000 since 2020 to transition into professional farming roles after WWOOF experiences. Volunteer satisfaction metrics, primarily from self-reported reviews on platforms affiliated with WWOOF organizations, average 4.7 to 4.8 out of 5 stars based on hundreds of responses, with over 80% of participants recommending the for cultural and skill-building exchanges. These figures derive from engaged users likely predisposed to positive outcomes, potentially underrepresenting dissatisfaction; qualitative analyses of forums indicate negative experiences—such as mismatched expectations or inconsistent quality—comprising 20-30% of participant discussions, underscoring variability in real-world reception. A large-scale Norwegian survey of 1,184 WWOOFers (85% response rate) highlighted motivations centered on environmental learning and personal growth, with participants reporting perceived benefits in awareness, though empirical validation of long-term retention remains sparse. Longitudinal data on WWOOF's influence is limited, with few peer-reviewed studies tracking beyond immediate participation. Organizational reports suggest practical outcomes, including former volunteers establishing their own operations; for instance, WWOOF USA's programs have enabled recipients to accumulate over 17,000 hours of experience, correlating with transitions to farming ventures focused on hands-on rather than ideological . Broader empirical evaluations, such as those examining host-volunteer dynamics, note mutual benefits in but caution that self-selection biases inflate reported positives, with no comprehensive global metrics confirming sustained environmental or economic impacts.

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