Gardening Volunteer - Weir River Farm

Opportunity Overview:
Weir River Farm is the last working farm in Hingham, and she could use the loving touch of a gardener to help keep her beautiful! The farm has several flower beds, window boxes and planters placed around the property which would benefit from a bit of attention. If your passion is gardening, and you have a few hours a week to spare, we would enjoy sharing this amazing property with you!  This position would be perfect for a creative individual who has a flexible schedule, enjoys the outdoors, and has a basic knowledge of gardening. Our staff will work with the volunteer to determine gardening needs and priorities. The ideal candidate should be equally at home working independently as well as on a team. 

Reports to: Engagement Manager and Property Staff

Responsibilities (may include but are not limited to the following):

• Work with staff to assess gardening priorities and needs
• Plant and/or transplant annuals and perennials
• Dig, divide, and replant perennials
• Perform repetitive gardening tasks, including weeding, deadheading, edging, pruning, watering, and harvesting a variety of plants and gardens
• Perform seasonal gardening tasks such as raking and mulching
• Effectively communicate with staff and other volunteers
• Adhere to The Trustees safety and COVID-19 protocols
• Log volunteer hours weekly

Qualifications:

• Enthusiastic about helping gardens to thrive during all phases of the growing season
• Interested in performing general gardening practices, including repetitive tasks such as weeding, watering, and pruning
• Interested in performing seasonal gardening tasks that help ensure the long-term health and vigor of plants and gardens
• Able to use garden tools, including wheelbarrows, edgers, trowels, shovels, and pruners
• Able to stand for extended periods of time, bend, stoop, dig and lift a minimum of 25 lbs.
• Able to walk on a variety of surfaces including grass or uneven surfaces
• Able and willing to work outdoors in varying seasonal weather conditions
• Able to follow instructions and work as part of a team as well as individually
• Flexible schedule and commitment to consistent volunteering at the property
• Please note: a background check may be required for this role

Skill Level: Open to novice, intermediate, and advanced gardeners

Time Commitment:
Flexible schedules available. Must be able to commit to 4 hours per week, once per week, for the entire growing season. Weekdays are preferable but weekends may be possible once established.

  What's in our nature? Resiliency. Community. Discovery. Creativity.
Join The Trustees as a volunteer to help protect and take care of the Commonwealth’s greatest treasures and to make nature and the outdoors accessible for all, forever.
For more information
Contact the Volunteer Services Team at [email protected]

To explore other volunteer opportunities, visit our volunteer page at http://volunteer.thetrustees.org/
 
More about The Trustees
Founded by landscape architect Charles Eliot in 1891, The Trustees has, for more than 125 years, been a catalyst for important ideas, endeavors, and progress in Massachusetts. As a steward of distinctive and dynamic places of both historic and cultural value, The Trustees is the nation’s first preservation and conservation organization, and its landscapes and landmarks continue to inspire discussion, innovation, and action today as they did in the past. We are a nonprofit, supported by members, friends and donors and our 116 sites are destinations for residents, members, and visitors alike, welcoming millions of guests annually. www.thetrustees.org.
 
Inclusive Spaces for All
We are committed to providing a welcoming environment for all. Together, alongside our partners and volunteers we are creating inclusive spaces of community for people of all backgrounds to enjoy and preserving these open spaces for everyone, forever. We are committed to inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, identity, ability, and experience.
 
The Trustees is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal employment opportunity for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, military service, application for military service, veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law. The Trustees makes reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.

Covid-19 Volunteer Safety:
The health and safety of Trustees’ volunteers, staff and visitors is our top priority.

• If you are not feeling well, please stay home
• If you have been in contact with someone with Covid-19 or someone displaying symptoms of Covid-19, please stay home
• For our most current Covid-19 updates, please visit our main Trustees site