LFS:UBC Farm Audio Tour 10b Volunteers
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Hi there, my name is Gemma McNeill and I coordinate the volunteer program here at the UBC Farm. Since its beginning in 2000/2001 the UBC Farm has relied extensively on the work done by volunteers in a wide range of programs. As we have a relatively small staff volunteers help in many areas of the farm; from the fields as “Urban Farmer’s”, to our weekly markets, and as big buddies for children attending Farm Wonders summer camps or taking part in the Intergenerational Landed Learning Project.
In 2009 we saw over 500 individuals come out to participate in field related activities and in total contributed well over 2600 hours in volunteer labour. Although many people come out on an individual basis we have also had several community groups and businesses take part in volunteer days.
Volunteer commitment varies depending on the program and time of year. In general we encourage people interested in volunteering to attend an orientation prior to getting involved with any project. Orientations are usually held throughout the growing season and a more detailed schedule can be found at our website. The urban farmers program is currently run as a drop in program and requires minimal commitment from volunteers. Market crew volunteers attend a separate market orientation and have scheduled shifts throughout the season. Other programs such as the Intergenerational Landed Learning project encourage volunteers to try and commit to the entire school year if possible and participate in program specific training.
Having a diversity of volunteer positions is a great way to involve a broad section of the community and connect people from diverse backgrounds who share common interests. Of course the farm gains a tremendous amount from having such a robust volunteer program and we hope that we’re able to provide a unique experience for those folks who dedicate their time to any program here. From the fields, to the veggie stands and from food prep to the children’s garden volunteers work tirelessly to help make the UBC Farm the incredible place you see today.