City Farmers

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Common Good’s City Farmers volunteer program is an opportunity to take your involvement with our farm to the next level. As a City Farmer, you will participate in multiple aspects of running an urban farm, including hands-on farm tasks, neighborhood food distribution, our farm market, community events, youth programs and more.

We ask each volunteer to commit to an 8 - 10 week session. We accept applications on a rolling basis and if you are not selected for the first available session, we will keep your application on the waitlist and you will be considered for later sessions.

Although tasks will change seasonally, see the list below to get an idea of what each session will involve. Different time slots will have different responsibilities so when you apply you can choose what works best for your interest and your schedule.

For information about our Certificate Program in Regenerative Agriculture, visit here.

Requirements

Our City Farmers program is for volunteers 16 years of age or older. Volunteers under 18 must have a parent/guardian sign a waiver. All levels of experience are welcome!

We ask that you:

  • Be committed to volunteering weekly for the length of the session you register for.

  • Are open to learning and participating in a variety of tasks

  • Read the session descriptions and only sign up if you are open to all activities listed

  • Attend the orientation for your session

We are looking for people:

  • Who have experience or are excited to learn about various elements of running a sustainable urban farm

  • Who are excited about working in close-knit community

  • Who are willing to work outside in all weather conditions

As a City Farmer, you will provide crucial help to our staff team, completing essential tasks with increasing autonomy. Each session is 8-10 weeks and start dates & structure vary based on the category of volunteering.

Farming Support

Farm Market Operations

Neighborhood Food Distribution (including the F.R.E.S.H. Fridge and Pantry)

Youth Program Support

Events Support

If you are not selected for the first available session, we will keep your application on the waitlist and you will be considered for later sessions. We plan to notify volunteers 2 - 3 weeks in advance of each start date to confirm if you are still interested and available.

Farming support Sessions

On our half-acre urban, regenerative farm, you’ll have the chance to work alongside Farmer Foster in the field and in our fruit orchard, harvesting organic produce for our community. Some tasks include watering, harvesting produce, washing and packing and weeding.

Farm Support sessions are on:

Sundays from 9 am - 12 pm (March 30-May 18, May 25-July 13, July 20-Sept 7 and Sept 14-Nov 2)

Wednesdays from 8 am - 11 am - Harvest Day! (April 30-June 25, July 2- Aug 27, Sept 3- Nov 5)

Wednesdays from 10 am - 1 pm - Harvest Day! (April 30-June 25, July 2-Aug 27, Sept 3-Nov 5) 

Farm Market operations Sessions 

Our Pay What You Can Farm Market is a staple in our community where folks come weekly to get their fresh produce, to try different recipes, and to spend time in a welcoming, blossoming, vibrant environment. Some tasks for volunteers include market set-up and break-down, welcoming customers, prepping recipes and/or samples, re-stocking market items, carrying/transporting boxes (up to 50 pounds - we have wagons/carts!), packing CSAs and grocery bags

Market Sessions are on:

Wednesdays from 2:30 pm - 5 pm (May 7-July 2, July 9-Sept 3, Sept 10- Nov 5)

Wednesdays from 5 pm - 7:30 pm (May 7-July 2, July 9-Sept 3, Sept 10- Nov 5)

Neighborhood food distribution sessions

With our Community Engagement Manager, you’ll deliver produce and meals to neighboring seniors and other folks who need it. There are 3 roles available in this category with different types of commitments

1. Weekly Deliveries: Join our staff in delivering fresh produce and prepared meals to seniors and other neighbors who may have difficulty accessing food.

Responsibilities include:

  • Load and transport groceries and meals for distribution.

  • Deliver door-to-door to seniors and community members in need.

  • Engage with residents in a friendly and respectful manner.

  • Communicate any concerns or delivery updates to the team.

This session is on Thursdays from 5 pm - 7 pm (May 29-July 17, July 24-Sept 11, Sept 18- Oct 30)

2. Fridge/Pantry Food Rescuer: You will play a vital role in reducing food waste and increasing food access by picking up and delivering rescued food from local donors to the F.R.E.S.H. Fridge and Pantry.

Responsibilities include:

  • Pick up food donations from partner stores, restaurants, farms, or markets.

  • Safely transport food to the community fridge and pantry.

  • Sort, organize, and ensure food is stored properly for community access.

  • Follow food safety guidelines and ensure quality control of rescued items.

The time and days for this will vary throughout the season. Currently we have rescues to pick up on Tuesdays from 5:30p - 6p and Wednesday from 5p - 5:30p. We are asking volunteers who select this role to be willing to regularly do pickups and join a group chat of on call volunteers so we can update needs as opportunities become available.

3. Fridge/Pantry Committee Member: The committee is a collaborative working group that helps guide the direction of the F.R.E.S.H. Fridge & Pantry. Members contribute to decision-making, event planning, outreach, and long-term sustainability efforts to ensure our community has access to fresh food and resources.

We welcome community members, organizers, creatives, and problem-solvers who want to play an active role in strengthening food access. Flexible roles include

  • Planning Events & Community Engagement

  • Organizing Food Donations & Distribution

  • Recruiting Volunteers & Building Partnership

  • Helping with Outreach & Social Media

  • Fundraising & Resource Development

  • Bringing New Ideas to Strengthen Our Impact

Youth Program SupporT

Youth Program Support sessions are a great way to get to know our neighborhood youth, while taking part in fun activities in the garden.  Tasks include supporting individual youth, taking attendance, taking photos,  washing dishes and more.  Our program is drop in, so each day can look different and we welcome volunteers who are ready to jump in and adapt to the situation at hand. Must be willing to complete a background check.

Each session commitment include 30 minutes of setup, our youth session time, and 30 minutes of clean up.

Youth Sessions are:

  • Sundays from 4:00 pm- 6:30 pm (March 30-May 25, June 1-July 27, Aug 3-Sept 21, Sept 28-Nov 16)

  • Tuesdays from 4:00 pm- 6:30 pm (April 1-May 27, June 3-July 29, Aug 5-Sept 23, Sept 30-Nov 4)

  • Wednesdays from 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm (April 2-May 28, June 2-July 30, Aug 6-Sept 24, Oct 4-Nov 12)

  • Thursdays from 4:00 pm- 6:30 pm  (April 3-May 29, June 3-July 31, Aug 7- Sept 25, Oct 5-Nov 13)

EVents SupporT

Join us in making our events unforgettable! Throughout the year, we host a variety of exciting events and always welcome volunteers for one-time commitments. Use the application form to sign up for event volunteering notifications and to connect with us about your events expertise!