Are you looking for a great team-building volunteer opportunity for your work group/department, school team or group, church group, social club, or friend group? If so, we invite you to learn, work and have some fun together in the Meals on Wheels Hydroponic Farm! We currently have several dates available in October, with the greatest need on Mondays and Fridays.
The hydroponic farm is a 3,000 square foot indoor farm capable of producing 20,000 pounds of leafy greens a year. Our farm provides some of our most at risk populations in the metro a source of fresh, healthy greens year-round. We also provide greens to other WesleyLife and local communities.
Training will be provided for every task. We do not require a background in gardening or farming and only ask that you have an open mind and drive to help feed others. We can accommodate groups up to 15 people per 2-hour shift, and we offer three shifts daily, Monday through Friday (10 a.m. - Noon; Noon to 2 p.m.; 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.). Come help us grow nutrition for those who need it most!
The tasks on our farm include:
- Seeding: This task is what it sounds like, seeding all of our baby plants! This task is good for someone who likes to sit and enjoy the peace that comes with putting a seed in a hole. This is done over 1 to 2 days during the week.
- Harvesting: This is when our plants begin to become salad! This will include removing rafts from the system and cutting the heads from the roots. There will also be plenty of cleaning and working alongside the packing team as needed. This is done over 1 to 2 days during the week.
- Packing: The packing process is when our lettuce heads get washed, dried, and packed into bags. Often done in tandem with harvesting, this is the step that prepares our food to go! This is done over 1 to 2 days during the week.
- Cleaning: The most important of all tasks! Cleaning ensures our facility is both healthy for our plants and those we serve. This includes cleaning hydroponic systems, kitchen ware, floors, walls, etc. This task is done daily and anyone who comes to the farm should be ready to clean.
Once you express interest in volunteering at the farm from this listing, you will receive separate communication from Claire Smith, Assistant Grower. You can also reach out to her directly at csmith6@wesleylife.org.
Volunteering at the Meals on Wheels hydroponic farm only takes place Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
