Volunteering at Martha’s

Why?

Our mission to grow community through access to healthy food makes a real impact on the lives of people and families experiencing food insecurity. Providing those in need with 1000s of lbs of farm fresh, healthy food is a big job for our staff of only 4 to accomplish! Your time spent volunteering can help us work through projects that would be impossible for our staff to achieve on their own. We are always blown away by the amazing things our volunteers can do!  

Three people gardening, kneeling on soil with plants and drip irrigation lines, near green and orange buckets. In the background, there's a greenhouse and a small shed.

Connecting

Looking for a way to connect with others who share your interests and passions? It's more than just working the land; it's about building friendships and creating a sense of belonging. You'll meet people from all walks of life who are united by a common goal: to grow food and help people who need it.

You might plant seeds, build a garden bed, or participate in farm events. You'll find plenty of opportunities to engage in meaningful conversations and form lasting bonds. Being a volunteer at Martha’s Community Farm is a fantastic way to become part of a vibrant, supportive community where your contributions truly make a difference! 

People harvesting sweet potatoes in a garden on a cloudy day.

Purpose

Would you like to contribute to increasing food security and fostering positive change in our community? By dedicating your time and effort, you help ensure that fresh, nutritious food reaches those who need it most. The sense of fulfillment and joy that comes from making a tangible difference is truly rewarding. You'll be part of a collective effort to create a healthier, more resilient community, and every task you undertake, from planting to harvesting, plays a crucial role in this mission. You’ll have the satisfaction of knowing your actions are making a real impact in people’s lives! 

A group of people in a greenhouse being shown a plant by a guide or instructor. The structure has transparent walls and ceiling. Tables with plant trays are visible.

Learning

Are you curious? Do you like learning about new things? Martha’s Community Farm is a place where lifelong learners and curious people gather. Volunteering at the Farm is an exciting way to build new skills while having fun. The hands-on activities you do while volunteering is all under the guidance of our experienced team, who are eager to learn with you. This immersive experience ensures you gain practical knowledge and confidence in gardening and growing your own food. Plus, you'll be part of a supportive community of fellow volunteers who share your enthusiasm for learning and making a difference. Enjoy the rewarding experience of learning by doing, while contributing to a fun and welcoming community! 

Looking for information about volunteering with a large group? Check out our Group Volunteering page here:

Hear From Our Volunteers

Melissa L.

“The Farm has given me a second chance at a career in horticulture. I had limited hands-on experience until I found this unique and community-driven farm. The staff is amazing”

Hands picking ripe and unripe blackberries from a bush with green leaves.

Mike O.

“I always felt welcome and felt that my time was valuable.”

See the Farm through the eyes of our volunteers with our volunteer photo gallery!

Two people planting seedlings alongside a fenced area. A woman in a floral shirt and pink cap is kneeling, tending to plants. Beside her is a tray of young seedlings ready to be planted. The scene is outdoors with grassy fields and a blue sky in the background.
Two people harvesting green beans in a garden, one holding a clear plastic container filled with green beans.

Growing Team

Do you want to directly help grow the food that goes to our food pantry?  The Growing Team is the lifeblood of Martha’s Community Farm, where dedicated volunteers nurture our plants from seed to harvest, ensuring a bountiful supply of fresh produce for those in need. Whether you're sowing seeds in the greenhouse or picking blackberries in our perennial garden, there's always a rewarding task waiting for you. 

Join one of the farm's largest and most diverse teams, where you'll meet fellow gardening enthusiasts and deepen your knowledge of horticulture. If you love getting your hands dirty, watching plants thrive, and contributing to a cause that feeds our community, the Growing Team is the perfect place for you to grow and connect! 

The kind of work we do:

  • Planting

  • Weeding

  • Harvesting

  • Watering

  • Pruning

  • Tending

Person in a garden pushing a wheelbarrow full of green leaves, wearing a hat and blue shirt, with blue tents and trees in the background.

Who you’ll be working with:

  • Jake Summers is our Growing Manager. From crop planning to compost strategy, Jake is a fantastic source of knowledge regarding all things horticulture. Learn more about Jake and his growing background here

Person holding freshly harvested onions in a garden with sunflowers in the background.

Think the growing team might be for you? Click here to sign up to volunteer!

Two men working in a workshop, one using tools to repair a leaf blower on a workbench. A toolbox with various hand tools is visible in the foreground.
Two people installing a gutter on a red building using ladders under a clear blue sky.

Facilities Team

Are you handy with tools or want to improve your skills?? Join our Facilities Team at Martha’s Community Farm! This team is essential to maintain and enhance our farm's infrastructure. You might build garden boxes or work on fencing or irrigation.   Whether you've got lots of skills or just eager to learn, there is always a project at the Farm that needs your skills and creativity. 

By joining the Facilities Team, you'll connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for hands-on work and making a tangible difference. Help us keep the farm running smoothly and beautifully while being a part of the backbone that supports our thriving community! 

The kind of work we do:

  • Structure Rehab

  • Woodworking

  • Fence Repair

  • Machine Repair and Maintenace

  • Painting

  • Tool Maintenance and Organization

Man painting a brick wall with brown paint using a brush, wearing a cap, with a container in left hand, outside.

Who you’ll be working with:

  • Jesse Antonini is our Farm Operations manager. He helps to organize and execute all the projects our facilities team tackles. You can learn more about Jesse’s background and journey to becoming Farm Manager here

Person in cap using power drill on wooden platform with tractor in background.

Think the facilities team might be for you? Click here to sign up to volunteer!

Person holding a brush over multiple open paint cans in various colors on a textured surface, surrounded by painting tools and water bottles.
Outdoor booth with canopy displaying educational materials and brochures on a table, surrounded by park scenery and a sign for Audubon, PA.

Engagement Team

Do you want to unleash your creativity at Martha’s Community Farm? Our Engagement Team connects to the heart of the farm! This vibrant team brings together diverse projects that range from fun workshops and seasonal events to showcasing our mission at local festivals. As an Engagement volunteer, you'll weave the fabric of our community and make the Farm a welcoming space for everyone to connect, volunteer, and form lasting friendships. 

Whether you’re passionate about expressing yourself through art, planning unforgettable parties, capturing moments through photography or just connecting with people, the Engagement Team is the perfect place for you. Join us and be a part of the creative force that truly makes Martha’s Community Farm a community! 

The kind of work we do:

  • Social Media Content

  • Video Editing

  • Tabling at Festivals

  • Event Operations

  • Decorating

  • Advertising Upcoming Workshops

  • Art Installations

  • Mural Painting

People serving food from buffet trays into plates at a catered event.

Who you’ll be working with:

  • Emma Smith is our Engagement Coordinator. She’s usually buzzing around the Farm taking videos for our social media, putting up event flyers, and planning our next fun event for our volunteers. You can learn more about her here.

Person inserting memory card into camera outdoors, with climbing shoes nearby.

Think the engagement team might be for you? Click here to sign up to volunteer!

People gathered in a park around a large pile of soil, with trees, grass, and an industrial chimney in the background.
Open laptop displaying data analytics charts and graphs on the screen

Operations Team

Are you passionate about organization, planning, or systems? Join our Farm Operations Team at Martha’s Community Farm! This team is crucial to the Farm's growth and success, handling everything from strategic planning and programming to grant research and writing. Your contributions will help shape the future of the Farm, ensuring we have the resources and structure needed to thrive. 

Whether you're skilled in project management, enjoy crafting compelling grant proposals, or love meeting and discussing program possibilities, there's a place for you on our team. Join us and be a part of the driving force that keeps our farm growing and flourishing!  

Group of people sitting at a wooden table, holding pens and notebooks, engaged in a discussion, with sunlight streaming in.

The kind of work we do:

  • Grant Writing and Research

  • Organization

  • Program Development

  • On-site Systems Development 

Who you’ll be working with:

  • Jesse Antonini is our Farm Operations manager. He is a forward thinker and is fully invested in the vision of our Farm, where we want the farm to go, and how to get there. You can learn more about Jesse’s background and journey to becoming Farm Manager here

Open planner showing a weekly calendar on a desk

Think the operations team might be for you? Click here to sign up to volunteer!

Not ready to volunteer just yet? Find out more ways to support the Farm here!

The Volunteer Process

Once you sign up by filling out the form, you’ll receive a welcome e-mail. For individual volunteers we like to give a welcome tour! These are generally on Saturdays at 1pm. We’ll provide you with some more info on how to get here and what to expect. After that, we can schedule you for your first volunteer session!

Person harvesting green beans in a garden
  • Our volunteers have a wide range of availability to suit their schedules! Many join us weekly, either during the week or on Saturdays. Others volunteer come less frequently, such as twice a month or whenever they have a free day. We also have seasonal volunteers who are more active in the Spring and Fall, coming weekly, but may volunteer less during the Summer and Winter. No matter what your schedule might be, there's a place for you at Martha’s Community Farm! 

  • Volunteer shifts at the Farm are from 9am-12pm Tuesday through Saturday.

  • We have gloves and any other gardening equipment you may need, but you are welcome to bring your own gloves and tools if you would like. We do recommend bringing a water bottle, good shoes for outdoor work, and sun protection.

  • We do require individual volunteers to complete a criminal background check, child abuse clearances, FBI clearance and sign forms for HIPPA, mandated reporter, and media release form.

    After your tour, our staff will provide all forms you’ll need via email!

Volunteer FAQs

Person in a garden pruning sunflowers with a tool, surrounded by tall plants with yellow and brown leaves.
Person gardening with a trowel near a fence