Native Plant Crew - Powisset Farm

Opportunity Overview:  

Powisset Farm is seeking a small crew of volunteers to help care for 3 Hedgerows and 2 Native Seed Strips located in vegetable fields across the property. Hedgerows made of native shrubs, forbes and grasses were planted along our crop fields to provide climate adaptive benefits such as soil stabilization and acting as a wind break. They will also improve soil water infiltration, holding capacity and aggregation over time while providing increased floral resources for pollinators.

Volunteers can create their own schedule. Time commitment will vary depending on the month but generally 2-3 times a month for 4 hours at a time during the summer will be required. Volunteer work will be slow in the winter and pick back up in the spring. 

Native seed strips were planted from wild seed collected from our ecoregion, “Northeastern Coastal Zone (59)”. These plots were planted in an effort to grow more ecotypic or locally adapted native plants. Working in the seed plots involves weeding and collecting seeds to be used for future restoration plantings. Maintaining the hedgerow plantings involves hand weeding or weedwacking surrounding vegetation to reduce competition and removing invasive species.

Benefits:  

• Exercise and outdoor activity  

• Spending time in unique natural areas, exploring beautiful parts of the farm 

• Developing an improved ecological mindset from observing and interacting with the web of wildlife on the farm

• Connecting with like-minded staff, visitors, and volunteers    

Responsibilities: 

• Hand weed/weedwack in the hedgerow and native seed plantings

• Collect seeds from native seed plots

• Remove invasive species 

• Identify and help to manage pest problems like deer or rodents 

Qualifications:  

• Experience gardening or doing yard work 

• Ability to use weedwacker  

• Ability to walk through tall grass or uneven terrain  

• Strong plant ID skills 

Time Commitment:

• Every 2nd and 4th Sunday in April-August from 9-1pm. Volunteers are welcome to join whenever they are available.

More about The Trustees

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