Volunteer Guidelines

In February, we open our online volunteering calendar for the season. Farm volunteering sessions take place from mid April through late October. We can’t wait to see you at the farm!

Our goal is to provide a safe and fun environment for volunteers and staff alike.  Please review carefully before signing up for a volunteer shift:

  • All volunteers must sign our updated Release & Waiver of Liability which acknowledges the inherent risks posed by volunteering on a working farm.
  • We request that volunteers use the designated volunteer bathroom (port-a-potty) and outdoor hand-washing station, and do not enter the barn.  
  • Gaining Ground staff will discuss safety protocols with everyone on-site and will demonstrate how to safely do the day’s work.
  • Please arrive on time for your scheduled volunteer session. This is a tremendous help to the farmers!

Individual or Family – Farming

Farming

Scheduling begins in early February for the farm volunteer sessions running mid April through late October. 

Individual or Family Volunteer Hours (April – late October)

THURSDAY 10am–12pm 
FRIDAY 10am-12pm, 1:15-3:15pm
SATURDAY 10am–12pm

Guidelines and Scheduling

  • For individuals or families (children up to age 15 must be accompanied by an adult at all times), our morning sessions are 2 hours starting at 10 am, Thursday through Saturday.
  • We also offer a 2 hour session in the afternoon (1:15 pm–3:15 pm) on Fridays.
  • We generally expect a family to include up to 5 people with 1–2 adults and 1–3 children.
  • As an individual or family, you may sign up for a volunteer session up to 1 day in advance (more notice is greatly appreciated!).
  • If you have previously volunteered this season, you may sign up for multiple sessions in increments of 3. We offer up to 10 visits per season per individual in order to accommodate all volunteers.
  • After signing up, you will immediately receive a confirmation email. In rare cases when we cannot accommodate your scheduled session, you will receive a request to reschedule.
  • The farm staff typically responds regarding any changes within 2-3 business days of your scheduling.

Please Notify Us If You Have to Cancel

  • If you must cancel, please use the link in your confirmation email to notify us as soon as possible. Contact us if you cannot locate your original confirmation email.
  • When volunteers don’t arrive on time as scheduled, it’s difficult for our farm staff to plan and execute the day’s work. Kindly arrive promptly for your volunteer session.

High School Age (generally 15-17 years, occasionally 14 years old)

  • If you are an individual in high school (generally age 15-17, occasionally 14 years old), please sign up online and have your parent or guardian sign the digital release form.
  • If you are an individual younger than high school, you must be accompanied by an adult during your volunteer visit.
  • If you’d like to volunteer along with other high school students on a regular basis during the summer, please see the High School Farm Team section below. Start by filling out our High School Farm Team Interest Survey and/or contacting Maddie Weikel with questions.

Be Prepared

Please review our Releases, Preparation and Directions document with your volunteers and sign a Waiver Form before your session.

 

High School Farm Team (June – August)

High School Farm Team Volunteer Hours (June – August)

WEDNESDAY      9am–12pm
SATURDAY   9am–12pm

*Please note: High School Farm Team schedule is set every spring and is subject to change from season to season.

Guidelines

  • Gaining Ground seeks high school students motivated to work hard outdoors during the summer time in all types of weather.
  • Volunteers will receive direction from our farmers and then work independently with other peers.
  • A minimum commitment of 6 sessions (Wednesday and/or Saturday mornings) is required to participate.
  • 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 nutritious, sustainably grown produce.
  • Please fill out our High School Farm Team Interest Survey if you are interested in participating. Contact Maddie Weikel with any questions.

Group with Ages High School to Adult

Farming

Scheduling begins in early February for the group farming volunteer sessions running mid-April through late October. 

Volunteer Hours for Groups with Ages High School to Adult (April – late October)

MONDAY CLOSED
TUESDAY CLOSED
WEDNESDAY 10am–12pm
THURSDAY 10am–12pm
FRIDAY 10am–12pm, 1:15-3:15pm
SATURDAY 10am–12pm, 1:15-3:15pm
SUNDAY CLOSED

Guidelines

  • We offer 2-hour sessions in the morning or afternoon for groups with volunteers ages High School to Adult (generally age 15+, occasionally 14 years old).
  • The maximum group size is 20 people. Contact us to make special arrangements if needed.

Scheduling

  • As a group leader, please request at least one date and time no less than 7 days in advance. Using our online form, you can also tell us about your group, your preferences and any special considerations.
  • If your group has previously volunteered this season, you may ask the volunteer coordinator about scheduling multiple sessions, generally no more than 2 per season per group.
  • Typically within 2-3 business days of your request, you will receive a confirmation email with the date and time that best fits into the farmers’ plans.
  • If we cannot accommodate your initial preferences, you will receive an email to reschedule for an alternate session.
  • Several days before your session, you will receive a reminder email.
  • For corporate groups with a budget for employee volunteer activities, we suggest a tax-deductible contribution of $500 per session. Please make checks payable to Gaining Ground, Inc. and mail to Gaining Ground: Attn. Avery Indermaur, P.O. Box 374, Concord, MA 01742.

Please Notify Us If You Have to Cancel

  • If you must cancel, please use the link in your confirmation email to notify us as soon as possible.
  • When volunteers don’t arrive as scheduled, it’s difficult for our farm staff to plan the day’s work and it prevents us from offering the time to other volunteers. Kindly arrive promptly for your scheduled session.

Be Prepared

Please share our Releases, Preparation and Directions document with your group and sign a digital Waiver Form prior to your volunteering session.

Group with Children; Group with Special Needs

Farming

Scheduling begins in early February for the farm volunteer sessions running early April through late October. 

Volunteer Hours for Group with Children or Group with Special Needs (April–October)

MONDAY CLOSED
TUESDAY CLOSED
WEDNESDAY 10:00am–11:30 am
THURSDAY 10:00am–11:30 am
FRIDAY 10:00am–11:30 am, 1:15–2:45pm
SATURDAY 10:00am–11:30 am, 1:15–2:45pm
SUNDAY CLOSED

Guidelines

  • We offer 1.5 hour volunteer sessions for groups with children ages 5-14 or groups with special needs.
  • These are scheduled either 10:00-11:30 am or 1:15pm–2:45 pm.
  • We expect a ratio of 1 adult for every 4 – 6 children, depending on age and ability. We expect a higher ratio of adults for special needs groups, depending on abilities and needs.
  • The maximum group size is 20 people (including adults and children).
  • Please respect group size limits so that the experience is more meaningful and enjoyable for everyone involved.

Scheduling

  • As a group leader, please request at least one date and time no less than 7 days in advance. Using our online form, you can also tell us about your group, your preferences and importantly, any special considerations or special needs.
  • If your group has previously volunteered this season, you may ask the volunteer coordinator about scheduling multiple sessions, generally no more than 2 sessions per season.
  • Typically within 2-3 business days of your request, you will receive a confirmation email with the date and time that best fits into the farmer’s plans.
  • If we cannot accommodate your initial preferences, you will receive an email to reschedule for an alternate session.
  • Several days before your session, you will receive a reminder email.

Please Notify Us If You Have to Cancel

  • If you must cancel, please use the link in your confirmation email to notify us as soon as possible.
  • When volunteers don’t arrive as scheduled, it’s difficult for our farm staff to plan the day’s work and it prevents us from offering the time to other volunteers.

Be Prepared

Please share our Releases, Preparation and Directions document with your group and sign a digital Waiver Form prior to your volunteering session.

Releases, Preparation, Safety & Directions

Here is our digital Volunteer Contact and Waiver Form for Groups and Individuals. Please sign prior to your volunteer session.

Here is our Volunteer Releases, Preparation, Safety and Directions document if you wish to review or print the information below.

Volunteer Liability Release Statement

While working at Gaining Ground there are inherent risks. Every reasonable effort will be made to emphasize safe working habits. I understand and accept these risks for me and for my group members, if applicable, and will hold Gaining Ground and the Town of Concord harmless for any and all injuries or illness suffered in the course of volunteering.

Volunteer Photo Release Statement

A group leader or I may explicitly request photos not be taken of members of the group when physically on site volunteering. Otherwise, I give permission for Gaining Ground to photograph me and/or members of my volunteer group for appropriate promotional purposes. I do not expect nor will I receive any form of compensation for the photograph/s and furthermore waive any future rights to compensation for use of pictures of me. I also understand and agree that the photograph/s area and will remain the property of Gaining Ground and they shall retain all rights and privileges associated with ownership of these photograph/s.

Expectations of Volunteers: Preparation and Safety 

Gaining Ground is a friendly and welcoming place.  Disrespectful, disparaging, and disruptive behavior has no place on the farm.  Volunteers who engage in this type of behavior will be asked to leave.

As an individual, you are responsible for your own health and safety in terms of individual release forms, allergies, heat and hydration, poison ivy, insects, etc.

Group leaders and chaperones: A working farm requires your full attention when accompanying group volunteers, especially children and young adults. You are responsible for your group’s health and safety in terms of individual release forms, allergies, heat and hydration, poison ivy, insects, etc. It is your job to encourage full participation, help with logistics, and handle any disciplinary issues. Please accompany anyone who must leave the group and let other leaders know of your departure.

Clothing

Farm work is in the dirt. Wear clothes and shoes or boots that you don’t mind getting dirty. Bring gloves if you like, your own small towel and a change of clothing, especially on hot or wet days.

Outdoor Exposure

Farm work is outside—there’s always something to do, rain or shine. Wear a hat and bring sunblock for sun protection or jackets for colder days. If rain is forecasted, bring rain gear and boots for walking in the mud. Note: we do not work in the fields if there is lightning!

Hydration and Food

Gaining Ground provides drinking water on site, but we strongly recommend arriving well hydrated during hot summer weather. Drink plenty of water during the 24 hours prior to your volunteer session. Bring a reusable water bottle to carry water out into the fields with you. If you start feeling more thirsty, slightly dizzy, lightheaded, or have a headache, this may be a sign of dehydration. Please slow down, rest, and take breaks — you know your body’s limits best! You may bring snack food, and you are asked to carry out all of your trash when visiting the farm.

Ticks and Lyme Disease

Gaining Ground is surrounded by bushy, woody areas—a common habitat for deer ticks carrying diseases such as Lyme disease. To reduce your chances of tick bites:

  • Wear a long-sleeved shirt and light-colored trousers tucked into socks or shoes.
  • Follow instructions for using a repellant with DEET or permethrin. Permethrin is not intended for skin contact, but is used on shoes, clothing, hats, etc.
  • Thoroughly examine your clothes and body for ticks after your visit.
  • Learn more about tick-borne disease prevention from the Massachusetts Office of Health and Human Services.

Bees

Gaining Ground keeps honey bees on our farm. Most bees will not sting if left alone. However, bee and wasp stings can cause a medical emergency if someone is allergic to them. Volunteers and group leaders should be aware of anyone who is allergic, and be prepared to respond appropriately by bringing your own bee sting kits. 

Motorized Farm Equipment

Only Gaining Ground staff are allowed to operate motorized farm equipment. For your safety, we ask all volunteers to stay away from all equipment and within clear sight of any equipment operators.

Volunteer Farm Rules

    1. Quality over quantity.
    2. Please walk- and always stay on farm roads or on the paths between the crop beds.
    3. Do not climb on farm equipment.
    4. Stay with your leader – or an adult if you leave the group.
    5. Take a break and stay hydrated. This is extremely important during hot summer days!
    6. Wash with soap for dirt and poison ivy and check for ticks when at home tonight.
    7. In the event of an emergency, seek out a chaperone or the Farm Manager.

Directions to Gaining Ground

341 Virginia Rd, Concord, MA 01742

From the east, south or north: From I-95, exit onto Rte. 2A west (exit 46B) and follow signs to Hanscom Field. After 1.5 miles, turn right at the blinking light onto Hanscom Drive. After .5 miles, bear left at the fork and through one stop sign.  Turn left onto Old Bedford Road that turns into Virginia Road (Do not go straight into Hanscom Airport or right into Hanscom Airbase). Gaining Ground is on the right after 1.5 miles. Just past Thoreau Farm House at 341 Virginia Road, turn into the parking lot for Gaining Ground. Park and walk through the gate out to the volunteer sign-in box and then gather at the volunteer pavilion.

From the west: Take Rte. 2 east and bear right onto the exit ramp for Rte 2A/Lincoln/Concord just before the overpass. Turn left on Mary’s Way at the light to go under the overpass. Take a right onto Rte 2A (gas station will be on your left). On Rte 2A, go about .6 mile, then take a sharp left onto Old Lexington Road (through Minuteman National Park). After .9 mile, turn right onto Old Bedford Road. After .5 miles, turn right onto Virginia Road. Gaining Ground’s parking lot is on the left after .7 mile, just before Thoreau Farm House at 341 Virginia Road. Turn into the parking lot, park and walk through the gate out to the volunteer sign-in box and then gather at the volunteer pavilion.

Transportation Assistance

We recognize that the farm property is inaccessible for many folks and want to make visiting and/or volunteering available to all. If transportation to the farm is a logistical or financial barrier for you, we can offer an Uber voucher to sponsor the trip to Concord. Please reach out to Avery, avery@gainingground.org, to get a voucher and for more information about how they work.

Parking and Proceeding to the Volunteer Pavilion

Gaining Ground’s parking entrance is marked by the green “Gaining Ground” sign on Virginia Road.  If you pull into the driveway marked with the Thoreau Birthplace Farm sign, please continue around the U-shaped driveway and park just past the sugar house (a wooden shed used for boiling maple sap) on your right.  You may not park in the Thoreau Farm parking lot nor beside the red farm house stone wall.

Please leave valuables in a safe place and just bring essentials, such as water, hat, rain coat, snack, allergy medications, etc.  We have a carry-in, carry-out policy for all garbage.

Following the signs, walk through the large gate to the volunteer sign-in box on the outside of the volunteer pavilion, and then gather inside the pavilion where you will meet the farm team and get started!

Arrivals and Sign In

Location

Volunteers are scheduled for tasks on Gaining Ground’s property, located at 341 Virginia Road, Concord, MA.

Parking

Parking is very limited, so please carpool when you can. Volunteers may park in the lot next to Gaining Ground’s sugar house. Please do NOT park in the Thoreau Farm parking lot, nearer to the Thoreau Farm house and with the solar array.

Please Sign In

During every farming volunteer visit, we expect anyone high school age and older to sign in upon arrival, both for safety reasons and record keeping. The sign-in station is at the volunteer pavilion, on the right side of the farm road as you walk through the gate and down the road in the direction of the barn.

Rubbish

A trash can is provided for volunteers near the port-a-potty and hand-washing station, to the right of the driveway. Drinking water is available at the farm adjacent to the pavilion, and reusable water bottles are strongly encouraged.