Volunteer
Urban Harvest's programs thrive due to the hard work of many talented volunteers who work with our staff and one another. Volunteering is an excellent way to support community gardening, our farmers markets and educational programs. Opportunities include individual projects, team work on volunteer committees, short term and long term positions with varying levels of responsibility and training.
Volunteer opportunities
1. Class Administration Assistants
Objective: Assist our Education Direction to create class materials.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Copy handouts for classes - done on Thursdays and Fridays
- Copy flyers for classes
- Organize and pack materials going out to classes - done Thursdays and Fridays
- Maintain all materials needed for financial transactions at classes
- Prepare class information for inclusion in weekly newsletters for both Farmers Markets
- Advertise classes in other publications as directed by Classes Committee
- Maintain and edit classes information on our website
- Organize and maintain handouts used for classes
Qualifications and Requirements: Some experience in writing and editing is helpful.
Volunteers needed: 1 for each class.
Orientation and Training: Brief training and overview of classes.
Times Needed and Place of Work: Thursdays and Fridays 12:00, Noon to 4:00 pm, but flexible. Urban Harvest offices, 2311 Canal.
Contact: gary@urbanharvest.org
2. Outreach
Objective: Attend community outreach events to promote Urban Harvest and gardening/ farming activities that benefit communites.
Duties and Responsibilities: Collect brochures and fliers from office and set up the booth. Distribute material and act as representative for Urban Harvest.
Qualifications and Requirements: Knowledge of Urban Harvest.
Volunteers needed: 4 - 5
Orientation and Training: Brief training and overview of Urban Harvest.
Times Needed and Place of Work: Varies with each event.
Contact: erin@urbanharvest.org
3. Photographer
Objective: Take interesting/artistic pictures of Urban Harvest events, classes, Farmers Markets (Eastside and Discovery Green), individual vegetables/fruits, gardens and gardeners.
Qualifications and Requirements: An experienced photographer interested in sharing his/her skills with Urban Harvest. Must have own camera and a good knowledge shooting in various setting and lighting conditions. Situations require interaction with subjects so volunteers should be personable, friendly and willing to work with a variety of people. All photos must meet minimum resolution standards of 300 dpi and will become property of Urban Harvest.
Volunteers needed: 3-5
Orientation and Training: Brief orientation to become acquainted with Urban Harvest Organization and types of photos currently needed.
Times Needed and Place of Work: Varies, must have own transportation.
Contact: debbie@urbanharvest.org
4. After School Garden Assistant
Objective: To assist any of the School gardening instructors that service approximately 20 HISD elementary schools that offer during the day or after school gardening programs. Duties and Responsibilities: This volunteer could be a regular assistant that helps with an instructor’s hands-on gardening classes including science, math, and other core subjects as well as planting, growing, and harvesting of seasonal vegetables and fruit, or it could be a volunteer that specifically helps with cooking activities, garden maintenance, or curriculum assistance on an as needed basis.
Duties and Responsibilities: This volunteer could be a regular assistant that attends all of an instructor(s) hands-on gardening after school classes with activities in science, math, and other core subjects as well as planting, growing, and harvesting of seasonal vegetables and fruit, or it could be a volunteer that specifically help with cooking activities, garden maintenance, or curriculum assistance on an as needed basis.
Qualifications and Requirements: Must agree to pay a $25 refundable deposit returned after 10 hours of volunteer time for a background check as required by HISD. Requires some in office volunteer hours before going to schools
Orientation and Training: Support from the Urban Harvest School & Youth Department.
Times Needed and Place of Work: At elementary school sites from 3:00 - 6:00 pm and/or elementary school sites from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Contact: lilly@urbanharvest.org
5. Classes Assistant
Objective: Assist Facilitators with setting up the classroom, shutting it down after the class, checking in students and handing out class materials as well as providing information about Urban Harvest
Duties and Responsibilities: This position is designed for someone looking for a long-term volunteer opportunity.
Orientation and Training: Brief training and overview of job description.
Times Needed and Place of Work: Volunteers with classes typically help with an average of one class per month. Classes for the next few months are being held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and there are a few Saturday morning classes as well. If you have either time available, volunteer with us!
Contact: Maggie_Lefar@yahoo.com
6. Farmer's Market Roustabout/Greeter
Orientation and Training: Brief training and overview of markets.
Commitment Required: 1 or 2 weekends per month.
Contact: cleblanc@libertyoffice.com
7. Community Garden Volunteer- Individual
Objective: To garden in one or more of the Urban Harvest Affiliate community garden.
Duties and Responsibilities: This volunteer will work in a community garden with other gardeners to grow produce for varying purposes (donation, personal use, school use, etc) and possibly help maintain habitat areas.
Qualifications and Requirements: An interest in gardening
Volunteers needed: Unlimited
Orientation and Training: Provided by the coordinator at each garden.
Times Needed and Place of Work: Varies depending on the garden.
To find a garden please browse our Affiliate Community Garden map
Contact: communitygardens@urbanharvest.org
8. Community Garden Volunteer- Group
Objective: To assist established or new gardens with large garden prjects or clean-up days.
Duties and Responsibilities: Vary based on project
Qualifications and Requirements: Willing and enthusiastic volunteers ready to work in a garden. Some projects may require specialized skills, i.e. carpentry, plumbing, etc.
Volunteers needed: unlimited (group size will be limited based on the project)
Orientation and Training: Provided the day of the project by project leader at the garden.
Times Needed and Place of Work: Varies based on project but usually Saturdays in the morning.
To find a garden please browse our Affiliate Community Garden map
Contact: debbie@urbanharvest.org
| Join www.urbanharvest.ning.com if you are a community or school garden volunteer or an Urban Harvest member with a gardening question or, you would like to learn more about Urban Harvest and the Urban Harvest community. |
