Volunteer Program

Much of the great work that happens at the UBC Farm is made possible by the continued support of the farm’s dedicated volunteers.

To stay informed about volunteer opportunities, as well events and workshops, please subscribe to the volunteer email list by clicking the link below.

Urban Farmers program volunteers learning to prepare fresh field garlic for curing

The UBC Farm volunteer program provides UBC students, staff, faculty members, and members of the wider community the chance to gain hands-on experience in many aspects of small-scale sustainable farming. Most volunteer opportunities are available during the main growing season (May-October). See “UBC Farm Volunteer Opportunities” below to find out the different ways you can get involved.

The volunteer program is managed through an online registration system, where you can find out about upcoming orientation sessions, view the current volunteer schedule, and sign up for shifts. For general volunteer inquiries or questions not answered by a general orientation session, contact ubcfarm.volunteer@ubc.ca.

Volunteer Requirements and Commitments

Friends of the UBC Farm offers volunteer opportunities for community outreach, fundraising, and farm advocacy

New volunteers are required to attend a general farm orientation before signing up for volunteer shifts. These hour-long introductory orientations are scheduled throughout the growing season and provide useful information about the farm’s history, programs, an overview of volunteer opportunities, and a tour of the site. Most programs require an additional program-specific orientation. These sessions will usually be held by the coordinator of a particular program; please email the program coordinator for more information regarding the specific program’s orientations. General orientations are not held in the off-season (Nov-April).

Each farm program has slightly different volunteer requirements and expectations. Most programs welcome a diversity of backgrounds, experiences, skills, and ages. The Urban Farmers and Market Crew positions have minimum age requirements of 14 and 16 years, respectively. All orientation sessions and volunteer shifts require advance registration via the online registration system. As many farm programs rely significantly on volunteers, current and prospective volunteers are encouraged to choose programs that work with their schedules so they can commit to the hours required for a specific program.

UBC Farm Volunteer Opportunities

Urban Farmers

Have you ever wanted to try your hand at farming? This diverse position introduces volunteers to all aspects of sustainable farming, from seeding and weeding to planting and harvesting. Urban Farmers play an important role in carrying out the day-to-day activities needed to run the UBC Farm’s field operations.

Market Crew members work together to run the Farm’s Saturday market

Market Crew

Do you like sharing cooking tips and interacting with people? Join us at our Saturday Markets and help sell our fresh-farm produce while improving your customer service skills. Market Crew members are in charge of setting up the market stands, selling produce and generally running our markets throughout the growing season. There are additional opportunities to volunteer as a cashier or flower volunteer at the market. Attend a general orientation or contact ubcfarm.market@ubc.ca for more information.

Education Team

There are three different programs for volunteers interested in working with both elementary and secondary school students.

• FarmDiscovery Tour Volunteers assist as workshop leaders for groups of elementary through high school students that come to the farm for spring and fall FarmDiscovery Tours. For more information, contact ubcfarm.tour@gmail.com.

Volunteering in the Children’s Learning Garden

• Landed Learning Farm Friends participate in the Intergenerational Landed Learning Project with elementary aged children on a regular basis during the spring and fall months. Volunteers share and cultivate their knowledge about growing and food production through hands-on activities in the Children’s Learning Garden at the UBC Farm. For more information, contact landedlearning@gmail.com.
• FarmWonders Summer Camp Volunteers assist with the farm’s summer day camps for children aged 6-12. Volunteers are needed on a weekly bases from July till the end of August and are asked to commit to an entire week (preferably 9am-4pm each day, although exceptions can be made). This is a great opportunity for individuals interested in gaining experience working with children. For more information, visit the FarmWonders website.

Friends of the UBC Farm

Are you interested in getting involved with a group of people to promote the UBC Farm and organize outreach and fundraising initiatives? Friends of the UBC Farm is a constituted Alma Mater Society Club that is open to students as well as members of the community. Contact friendsoftheubcfarm@gmail.com for more information or to sign up for their email list.

Institute for Aboriginal Health

The Institute for Aboriginal Health (IAH) Teaching, Learning, and Research Garden at the UBC Farm promotes a holistic view of health as incorporating physical, emotional and mental aspects, and as such, emphasizes the notion of “food as medicine.” IAH grows a variety of food and medicinal plants that are used in feasts and workshops throughout the year. Volunteer opportunities include working in the garden as well as developing educational materials. For more information, contact Hannah Lewis at ubcfarm.indigenous@gmail.com.

Group Volunteer Opportunities

Concert Properties volunteer day

Whether you are a UBC club, community organization, or business, there are several ways to give back to your community while working as a team. The UBC Farm hosts both large and small volunteer groups each season. We are able to accommodate two group volunteer parties per month during the main growing season (May-September). Two months advance notice is recommended for organizations interested in scheduling a group volunteer opportunity. Group size is usually limited to 25 people, and we generally recommend groups volunteer for a maximum of two and a half hours. To inquire about booking a group volunteer session, contact ubcfarm.volunteer@ubc.ca.