Volunteering at EquiCenter's 3-acre Teaching Farm
Check out this video message from Farm Manager Sarah on the impact volunteers have on our life changing programs and operations and how to get your hands dirty with us this season!
How to Get Started on the Farm
We welcome individuals and small groups to set up a volunteer time through our signup system above. Starting in March, volunteer shifts will be added to the calendar a few weeks at a time, typically 2 hour shifts a few days per week. During signup you will have the opportunity to share any information about yourself to help us plan appropriate tasks for your interest/ability level.
Tasks vary throughout the season-- we love working with our volunteers on seed-starting inside the greenhouse, bed preparation and transplanting, weeding with upright tools and by hand, harvesting, and much more. Farming is an ever-evolving puzzle that depends on the whims of weather, plants, and people, so we are typically not able to share the tasks for a given shift in advance.
We also have drop-in community work days, which don't require advance signup-- make sure you are subscribed to our farm email list to get notification for these! Garlic harvest, potato harvest, and garlic planting are fun and festive days on the farm.
We also welcome large groups-- please reach out to our volunteer coordinator, Debi Houliares at dhouliares@equicenterny.org to set up a time.
What To Expect
When you arrive at EquiCenter, you will enter the farm through the gate near the greenhouse. Depending on the season, you will either meet inside the greenhouse or at the picnic tables near the toolshed. One of our farm staff will greet you and set you up on the day's task. We have kneeling pads, trowels, gloves, and other shared tools for volunteers to use but you are also welcome to bring your own. We have a water cooler and cups, but do recommend you bring a water bottle. Sunscreen is recommended, and closed-toed shoes are highly encouraged.
We set aside a portion of our harvest for our volunteers to enjoy-- check in with your farmer to find out what is available on your volunteer day.
