Volunteer
All are welcome to volunteer at Gaining Ground.
We are a volunteer-driven organization that relies on the energy, talent, and enthusiasm of thousands of people. Because of your help, we can grow and donate nutritious local produce to people in need of fresh, healthy food. We simply could not accomplish our mission without your hard work as a farm volunteer, or occasionally as an office and special projects volunteer.
“Volunteering at Gaining Ground is a time for me to escape the urban rat race and reconnect with the earth. There is an amazing sense of satisfaction one gets from transforming a field full of weeds to one of neat rows of lettuce or beets. The setting is beautiful and the camaraderie shared with the farmers and the other volunteers is something I always look forward to.” -Karin C.
“My team really enjoyed it. Well organized, you know how to host volunteers well! My team loved your passion and felt like they had a greater appreciation for farming.” -Vickie B.
Farming Volunteer
From early April through late October, we depend upon thousands of helping hands working outside with us morning and afternoon. Our community of volunteers is broad-based, often including:
- Individuals ages 15 and up
- Families with children ages 5 and up
- Education groups: schools, colleges, alumni, homeschool coops
- Religious groups
- Community groups: scouts, camps, senior citizens, civic organizations
- Special needs groups
- Corporate teams
When you arrive, you walk out through the fields to our farm pavilion. You are welcomed and given an introduction to Gaining Ground and our hunger-relief role. Our farmers explain what’s going on at the farm and the tasks they’ve lined up, based on the skills and abilities of that day’s volunteers. Then, you work alongside our staff—planting, mulching, cultivating, harvesting, washing… At the end of your visit, our farm staff returns with you to the pavilion to share observations and experiences.
For more details, please review our volunteer guidelines and then sign up as a Farm Volunteer.
High School Farm Team
During the summer from late June through mid-August, we welcome high school students on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, rain or shine, hot or cold. High School Farm Team volunteers will receive direction from our farmers and then work independently with other peers. Community service hours can be approved upon request. This is a great way to meet other high school students and learn about the many tasks involved in raising healthy, fresh produce. To learn more, contact team leader Maddie Weikel.
Produce Transport Volunteer
From late April through mid-November, we are sometimes in need of volunteers to drive boxes of freshly harvested produce to our recipient partner organizations in Boston, Lowell, and throughout the Metrowest area. We rely on these volunteer drivers (who use their own vehicles) on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and occasionally Saturdays. Deliveries take place around mid-day (11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.). Please contact Operations Director Allison Goodwin to discuss the details if you’re interested.