Get Involved at Your Town Farm
It takes a village to create a thriving Town Farm and educational center. To bring residents together with a shared purpose, we have created an array of fun events and, throughout the year, we also partner with other local organizations in town who share many of our goals and values. Scroll down for information on ways you can get involved! So we can play our tasks, we would truly appreciate it if you would use the Links below to sign up for Garden Volunteering + Saturday Farmstand volunteering slots. Thank you!
Farm and Gardens Volunteer Open Hours
We'd love to see you in our gardens. Join us during our Volunteer Open Hours and we'll show you what to water, weed and pick! Don't worry if you don't have experience, our garden experts will guide you. Drop in for as little or as long as you like.
Teens starting at the age of 13, and all ages older are welcome to the farm. Children between ages 10-13 must be accompanied by an adult. Volunteering is not recommended for children under 10. Please wear closed toed shoes, bring water and plenty of sunscreen.
Please Note: For reasons of hygiene, access to/through our kitchen/classroom area is off limits to farm volunteers (restrooms may be accessed at any time thru the back porch side door). Be sure to bring your own water container.
Also, because our weekday summer volunteer hours take place when camp is in session, please proceed past the camper/counselor areas and head for the gardens, where a Farm team member will direct you in the day’s tasks.
SPRING VOLUNTEER OPEN HOURS
April through June 2023
Wednesdays: 2:00pm - 4:30pm
Fridays: 2:00pm - 4:30pm
SUMMER VOLUNTEER OPEN HOURS
July through August 2023
Wednesdays: 8:00am - 11:00am
Fridays: 8:00am - 11:00am
FALL VOLUNTEER OPEN HOURS
September through Mid-November 2023
Wednesdays: 2:00pm - 4:30pm
Fridays: 2:00pm - 4:30pm
Saturday Farmstand volunteering
SATURDAY FARMSTAND HOURS
Join us every Saturday starting June 10th thru October 28th to be a part of our Farmstand volunteer team. A great way to start the morning! in nature, at the farm, and part of the community. The farmstand is open from 9am-1pm, but we need volunteers before and after to help set up and breakdown.
There is so much to do for the farmstand from setting up, to harvesting, making flower and herb arrangements, and breaking it all down when it’s all done! During this time we also have our farm chores and maintenance to do. It is a great time to come and get your hands dirty, learn new gardening skills, and share what you know.
Three Shifts, 7:30am-9:30am & 9:30am-11:30am & 11:30-1:30pm
7:30am-9:30am: Volunteer tasks include: Set up farmstand tables, produce, goods, putting up signs | Harvesting fruit and vegetables | Cut flowers, herbs, and bouquet making | Vegetable bed maintenance, fertilizing, weeding, and mulching
9:30am-11:30am Volunteer tasks include: Harvesting fruit and vegetables | Cut flowers, herbs, and bouquet making | Vegetable bed maintenance, fertilizing, weeding, and mulching
11:30am-1:30pm. Volunteer tasks include: Vegetable and flower bed maintenance, fertilizing, weeding, and mulching | Farm stand break-down, put produce away, and cleaning | Bagging left over produce for donation
Volunteering for Saturday’s Farmstand & Harvest is available via our Link ONLY - They are NOT Open Hours. Please register by CLICKING THE BUTTON BELOW.
other volunteer opportunties at the farm
Volunteers are the beating heart of the Farm, and perform essential functions—they serve on the farm committee, feed the animals, water the gardens, organize fundraisers, provide grant writing and public relations support, help create engaging progamming, and so much more. Volunteers also assist in maintaining and harvesting at the gardens and running our summer farm stand.
We are actively seeking volunteers to help pitch in to projects, great and small. Like to garden? Let us know. Love animals? Want to help out at one of our many events? We'd love to have you. Do you have a special talent or interest that you'd like to share with the farm? Would you like to learn more about becoming a board member? We have a ton of volunteer opportunities to suit your skills, interests and time constraints. Email our volunteer coordinator Amy at aancel@optonline.net and tell us a little about yourself and some of your special interests and how you may like to get involved. One of our board members will contact you to chat about opportunities.
VolunTEEN Opportunities
Wakeman Town Farm loves the enthusiasm and energy of teenagers. We frequently work with local school, civic groups, companies, youth groups, SLOBs, Scouts, B3, individuals, NCL, and various clubs to encourage volunteerism and community building. Students can volunteer at the farm to meet their community service requirements. Volunteers truly make a difference in the community while getting valuable experience to include on job resumes and college applications.
Summer Internships
Do you know someone entering their junior or senior year in High School? Or are a College student coming back to the area for summer break? We have part-time summer internships for those interested in learning how to organically grow fruits, vegetables, flowers, and experience what it takes to have a small-scale homestead!
If interested in learning more, please email our Farmer: farmer@wakemantownfarm.org
Community Outreach
Offsite, we are also actively involved with synergistic organizations in and around Westport. For example, we’ve participated at Fairfield’s Earthday/Food for Thought event, NOFA (Northeast Organic Farming Association of CT) conferences, Greenwich Sustainable Food & Farm Expo, and Stamford Museum’s Chili Cookoff. We’ve also participated in Westport’s Minimaker Faire, Minds in Motion, jUNe Day, and Earthplace’s Harvest Festival/Bonfire Bash, to name a few. We have forged relationships with the Westport Farmers' Market, the Westport Public Library, The Westport Cinema Initiative, and The Westport Woman's Club. We are proud to be able to meet and work with such wonderful people!