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 and thunder!

Excessive Heat

On especially hot days, be sure to take frequent breaks, drink plenty of water before, during, and after your volunteer session, wear sunscreen and a hat, and work slowly and with care in order to minimize the risk of heat exhaustion/heat stroke. Generally, if the weather forecast calls for daytime temperatures of 85℉+, we email volunteers a warning ahead of time and offer you the chance to cancel or reschedule your session for a later date. If temperatures at or above 90℉ are predicted, we will cancel volunteer sessions for the health and safety of all. We will do our best to reschedule your session for another mutually agreeable day and time. Gaining Ground volunteers are not permitted to work inside our greenhouses, hoophouses, or tunnels if temperatures rise above 90℉. We strictly enforce shade and water breaks every 30 minutes if temperatures rise above 85℉. Electrolyte drinks and sunscreen are always available to volunteers – please ask a staff member and they will gladly assist you.

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: