The Farm Lab welcomes volunteers for hands-on growing opportunities at Lakehead University and in support of school and community gardens throughout our community. To volunteer, please complete our short volunteer application form here.
School Garden Helper:
Join us in hands-on programming with local youth in schools and at the Farm Lab. Pre-school to Grade 12 opportunities and summer youth programs. Ideal for B.Ed. students wanting to gain experience working with students in school gardens and food literacy programs. Must have a criminal background check and complete a brief volunteer orientation.
Garden Helper:
- Help us physically build, grow and maintain the Farm Lab. As such, there are many ways to volunteer with us, including but not limited to:
Planting and Transplanting
- Help plant seeds and tend to seedlings in our small greenhouse. Transplant seedlings.
Watering and Irrigation:
- Manage watering schedules, check irrigation systems, and ensure plants are adequately hydrated.
Composting and Soil Health:
- Participate in composting initiatives to promote soil health, including collecting organic waste and managing compost systems.
Harvesting and Food Sharing Preparation:
- Assist with harvesting crops and preparing them for food-sharing programs, such as weighing and sorting produce.
Food Distribution and Donation:
- Help organize and distribute produce to the Lakehead Food Pantry and The Sharing Place Food Centre.
General Cleanup and Organization:
- Assist in keeping the Farm Lab clean and organized, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for volunteers and visitors.
Community Outreach, Education & Special Projects:
Workshops and Training Sessions:
- Assist in conducting workshops on topics like gardening, composting, and cooking with fresh produce for community members.
Collaborative Cooking and Meal Preparation:
- Participate in community cooking sessions where harvested produce is used to prepare meals for food-sharing events or donation to community organizations.
Community Events and Food-Sharing Initiatives:
- Help organize community events centred around food sharing, such as potlucks, farm-to-table dinners, or harvest festivals.
Sustainable Practices and Innovation:
- Work on implementing sustainable practices to enhance food production and reduce waste, such as rainwater collection or using organic pest control methods.
Art and Creative Projects:
- Engage in creative projects that promote the community and food-sharing themes, like creating garden markers or educational signs.
Community Collaboration and Partnerships:
- Participate in community outreach programs to educate the community about the Farm Lab and our project.
- Assist in building relationships with local community organizations, schools, and businesses to expand the reach of food-sharing programs.
Social Media and Communication:
- Contribute to spreading the word about Farm Lab activities, events, and food-sharing initiatives through social media or other communication channels.
- Take photos, videos, other recordings and help make multimedia projects (see our YouTube Channel!)
Special Projects:
- Designing or building infrastructure, such as tool making and repair, tool sheds, benches, irrigation, special crop experiments, etc.- you name it!
Other ideas? Please reach out!
