This past November, 20 of Welch’s newest employees gathered at Gaining Ground on a cold, windy day. Bundled against the elements, they hauled tarps and sandbags to help the farm prepare for the winter shutdown.

Each year, Gaining Ground welcomes thousands of volunteers—individuals,schools, and corporate teams—to work alongside professional farmers. These groups learn about no-till agriculture and Gaining Ground’s response to food insecurity in Eastern Massachusetts.

Since 2023, Welch’s has incorporated a day of service into its new hire orientation. “Even with the cold and wind, people appreciated this part of orientation,” said Mae Quilty, Talent Development Manager. “It helped them form relationships with colleagues from different

departments and locations.” The partnership also reinforces Welch’s identity as a 150-year-old farmer-owned cooperative. “Supporting American farmers is core to our identity,” Mae added.

“At Gaining Ground, volunteers get their hands dirty and gain a deeper understanding of the work our 600+ grower owners do that ultimately brings our products to shelves across the country.”

Welch’s teams visit three times a year,traveling from nine sites across the U.S. “Knowing we have a trusted partnership feels really good, especially in the shoulder seasons,” said Mark Congdon, Director of Agriculture at Gaining Ground. In March, they prep the land; in November, they help put the fields “to bed.” 

“Sometimes it’s hot, sometimes it’s raining. That makes it memorable,” said Gregory May, Welch’s Business Development Manager. Beyond the physical labor, the visits plant seeds of friendship. Colleagues bond over parenthood or shared backgrounds, like two employees who recently discovered they were both veterans. The impact carries back to the office. “The power of collaboration is clear on the farm,” Gregory said. “A field that would take me two days to weed alone is finished in hours with the team. Similarly, daunting company projects feel manageable when the team pulls together for a common purpose.

Learn more about volunteering at Gaining Ground.