Education Garden Volunteer - Appleton Farms

Opportunity Overview:
Appleton Farms, a 1,000+ acre working farm and farm-based education center, was established in 1638 by the Appleton Family and gifted to The Trustees in 1998. The farm has several raised beds located behind the property’s historic Old House that serve as the learning garden for summer camp, children’s programs, and culinary workshops. 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 volunteers to determine gardening needs and priorities. The ideal candidate should be equally at home working independently as well as on a team.

Reports to: Education Manager and Stewardship Staff

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

• Working with staff to assess gardening needs 
• Preparing garden spaces through tilling, raking, edging, mulching, and adding compost/soil
• Planting and/or transplanting vegetable starts, herbs, and other plants/trees, as well as maintaining existing beds 
• Maintaining communication with education staff 
• During off season, help decorate planters with winter greenery 
• Adhere to The Trustees safety protocols 
• Log volunteer hours weekly   

Qualifications:

• Have excellent communication skills
• Have reliable transportation to the Farm
• An eagerness to participate in maintaining the Farm 
• Able to use hand tools 
• Able to follow instructions and work in a team 
• Dress in appropriate clothes and footwear 
• Ability to stand for extended periods of time and ability to bend 
• Ability to walk on a variety of surfaces including grass or uneven surfaces   
• Minimum age: 18 years old. Under 18 years old will require parent/guardian supervision
• Please note: a background check is required for this role

Time Commitment Needed:
Flexible schedule could be year-round depending on availability. Prefer a commitment of 3 months. 

  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.