Volunteer With Us
Would you like to gain experience in the garden while also helping your community? Or help us sort and pack produce to be distributed to local schools and senior communities? Become a Beardsley Volunteer! We welcome volunteers of all skill levels to get involved. Beardsley also offers opportunities for internships and Workshare CSAs.
What to Bring
Volunteers should bring a water bottle. Be sure to wear closed-toed shoes (no sandals) and clothes that allow you to move and get dirty. Dress for the weather and don’t forget your sunscreen.
Note: volunteer hours change seasonally and are weather-dependent. If you’re unsure, please call the farm or email us.
WEEKLY FARM SHIFTS
Spring: February 23rd - May 8th
Mon 1pm- 3pm, Wed 9am-12pm & 1pm-3pm, Fri: 9am - 12pm
Summer: May 11th - September 25th
Weekday Mornings 8:30am - 12pm
Fall: September 28th - November 13th
Mon, Wed, Thurs: 9am - 12pm & Wed, Thurs: 1pm - 3pm
Winter: by appointment only
PRODUCE SORTING AND PACKING
Each month, Beardsley Farm donates fresh produce to local schools and senior living households. This produce is sourced from Second Harvest and a secondary local farm, and averages between 2,000 and 4,000 lbs of food for each distribution. As a fruit and veggie sorter, you will help our Produce Specialist pick out any produce that does not meet our standards, and assist in sorting and organizing the produce according to each donation location.
The ideal volunteer for this role is someone who isn't afraid of team-lifting heavy boxes of produce and finding the occasional squishy carrot or orange in the bottom of a box!
SATURDAY WORKDAYS
We host a few Saturday volunteer opportunities throughout the year. These are great ways for large groups, families, or local organizations to visit and help on the farm! For large groups of five or more volunteers, please email at least a week in advance to schedule. We welcome youth and adult groups from schools, colleges, religious organizations, local businesses, and more.
If you’re interested in scheduling a volunteer group with us, please email us at Beardsley.Farm@knoxcac.org.