Volunteering
Get your hands in the soil
Find out how you can get involved with growing food, supporting the harvest, building community and helping our programs thrive at the UBC Farm.
Our Volunteering Opportunities
The UBC Farm offers multiple volunteer opportunities on site. The Urban Farmer’s volunteer program is an opportunity to work and learn alongside the UBC Farm’s field and sales team. If you are interested in volunteering, learning and growing with the xʷc̓ic̓əsəm Garden, Maya Garden and or Musqueam Garden, please connect with them directly for details on how to join.
The Urban Farmer’s Volunteer Program
The UBC Farm Urban Farmer’s program plays an important role in carrying out the day-to-day activities needed to run the UBC Farm’s field and sales operations. We are dedicated to introducing and educating volunteers about all aspects of sustainable farming, from weeding and harvesting to the running of a market stall. We couldn’t do it without your help, thank you!
Urban Farmer’s Field Volunteers:
Come help the UBC Farm Field team tend for over 200 varieties of fruits and vegetables grown on our 24-hectare certified organic farm! Our Field Volunteers will have the opportunity to assist with tasks such as harvesting and processing a wide variety of crops including strawberries, blueberries, beans, potatoes, garlic, and onions, and as the need arises, hand weeding or hoeing beds.
Our Urban farmer’s Field volunteer season runs from May to October on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 9:30-12:30 (schedule may vary depending on needs).
If you think this may be the right fit for you, please do the following:
- Attend our spring open house (date, TBD) or a Saturday farm tour (June-November at 12pm, meet at the front gate), if you haven’t already attended an orientation in the past
- Sign up to be a part of our program through Better Impact
- See when Field Volunteer shifts arise/are posted and sign up accordingly
Urban Farmer’s Market and Events Volunteers:
Join the UBC Farm Sales team in the operations of our three weekly markets. Our Market and Events Volunteers will have the opportunity to assist our sales team with market set up and take down, restocking of produce, assisting with CSA pick up, vendor check-ins, special market event activities, and anything else that arise while hosting a large event.
Our Urban Farmer’s Market and Events Volunteer season runs from June to November on Tuesday’s from 2pm-6pm, Wednesday’s from 10am-1pm and Saturday’s from 9am-3pm (schedule may vary depending on needs).
If you think this may be the right fit for you, please do the following:
- Attend our spring open house (date,TBD) or a Saturday farm tour (June-November at 12pm, meet at the front gate), if you haven’t already attended an orientation in the past
- Sign up to be a part of our program through Better Impact
- See when Market and Event Volunteer shifts arise/are posted and sign up accordingly
How to Sign Up
1. Attend our Spring Open House (date,TBD) or a Saturday Farm Tour (June-November at 12pm, meet at the front gate) to learn more about our site. If attending a Saturday tour, please be sure to provide your name to your tour guide if interested in signing up to volunteer.
2. Create an account through our volunteering system. (link here)
3. Book available volunteer shifts online.
Sign up to volunteer!
Volunteers are the heart of the Farm! They may also bring home cull produce and receive a 20% market discount.
Support the Farm!
No time to volunteer? There are lots of ways to support UBC Farm and our community.
As a Token of Our Appreciation:
Urban Farmer volunteers can become eligible for a multiple of program perks throughout their involvement on the farm. After each shift, volunteers have the opportunity to bring home available fruit and vegetable culls. After the completion of 3 shifts, volunteers will receive access to a 20% discount at the UBC Farm market stand. And after 20hrs of volunteering, volunteers will receive a UBC Farm t-shirt.
What volunteers are saying
“I had a great time meeting people and socializing while working. Learning about all the different crops was rewarding. And I very much appreciated receiving culled vegetables! I tried cooking a lot of new recipes after I learned about veggies I had never tried before.”
“I love feeling connected to the land and getting my hands dirty, which I don’t have many opportunities to do… I have volunteered many different places and I think the accepting, safe and appreciative atmosphere of the Farm and the people it attracts is one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever experienced.”
Volunteer Rights
You have the right to:
- Be treated with respect
- Receive appropriate training
- Have your contributions recognized
- Be insured during volunteer duties
- Request a letter of reference
Volunteer Expectations
You are responsible for:
- Informing staff if you are injured
- Understanding commitments before signing up (i.e., certain shifts are a 3-hour commitment, and the expectation is that volunteers stay for the duration of the shift unless otherwise discussed)
- Being considerate of staff, volunteers, and visitors
- Cancelling shifts early so others can join
- Completing your tasks to the best of your ability
- Sharing your ideas or concerns
- Being open to feedback
- Having fun and enjoying the experience!
If you have any questions or feedback about the Urban Farmers Volunteer program, please contact us at ubcfarm.volunteer@ubc.ca.