Volunteer Opportunities

Joppa Hill Educational Farm is a volunteer endeavor. Our team of more than 100 volunteers feed and care for the animals every day, do most of the general upkeep, help run our events, and make the farm a very special place!

Interested in joining us? We welcome volunteers of all ages! Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult, and for those with little ones under 3, we recommend an additional adult to ensure a safe experience for both children and animals.

 

Volunteer Portal - Current Volunteers
Waiver

Volunteer Applications Are Paused

We’re currently at capacity for volunteer onboarding and are taking a short break from accepting new applications. If you’ve already applied, we have your info and will be in touch if a shift opens that fits your availability.

Thank you for your interest in supporting Joppa Hill Educational Farm, we truly couldn’t do this without you!

Farmer Bill
paddock

Paddocks Caretaker

 Responsibilities include:

  • Clean out manure, soiled straw, and wet/old hay from animal paddocks, replace with fresh bedding, clean and refill water buckets as needed.
  • The following enclosures need routine cleaning: sheep, goat, ducks, chickens, cows, horses, and bunnies.
  • You pick the day and time that works for you.
  • Animals will be in the pasture with you while you clean.
carter-finn

Marvelous Mucker

Responsibilities include:

  • Clean the horse pasture anytime between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
  • Clean the horses’ water buckets
  • Empty muck buckets with the farm gator
  • Horses, donkey, and emu will be in the pasture with you
kemps

Turn-In or Turn-Out

Responsibilities include:

  • Arrive for turn in any time between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
  • Arrive for turn out any time between 6:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.
  • Feeding horses, goats, sheep, chickens, ducks, rabbits, cats, pigs, and cows
  • Collecting eggs
  • Filling and changing water for all
Ellie-Farmstand

Farm Stand Volunteer

Looking for a fun and meaningful way to spend your time? Love meeting new people and supporting local farms? Joppa Hill Educational Farm is looking for volunteer cashiers to help run our Farm Stand!

What You’ll Do:

  • Greet visitors with a smile and help them find what they need.

  • Answer questions about the farm – we get the same questions over and over!

  • Ring up purchases using our Square POS system – don’t worry, we’ll show you how!

  • Handle cash and card payments accurately (basic math skills help).

  • Keep the farm stand tidy and inviting by restocking items and keeping shelves neat.

  • Potentially open or close depending on shift time

  • Help track inventory and let us know when supplies are running low.

  • Have fun while supporting local agriculture and your community!

What We’re Looking For:

  • Friendly, welcoming folks who enjoy chatting with customers.

  • A knack for staying organized and paying attention to detail.

  • Basic math skills (we promise, no calculus required!).

  • Interest in supporting local farms and building community connections.

  • Ability to work independently with a positive attitude.

What to Expect:

  • You might get a little chilly or toasty, depending on the weather.

  • Be ready to lift up to 25 lbs occasionally (like a bag of farm-fresh goodies)

  • Become a part of a welcoming community – meet great people & connect with visitors

  • Enjoy a peaceful farm setting – take in the fresh air & beautiful scenery

  • Support local farms & artisans – help visitors discover fresh, local products

  • A little perk for you – Enjoy a free drink and snack each shift!No experience? No problem! We’ll show you everything you need to know.

Scout Projects?

Have a scout project? We’d love to hear your idea. Email Sarah Grosvenor, Executive Director. 

In addition to turn in, turn out, mucking, cleaning pastures, and the Farm Stand, below are some other roles we rely on community support to complete:

  • Gardening (weeding, planting, harvesting, etc.)

  • Organizing spaces (e.g. storage areas in the barn, office, Farm Stand, etc.)

  • Event planning

  • Assist with events, such as concerts, Halloween, Easter, etc.

  • Assist with birthday parties

  • Support field trip experiences

  • Landscaping/Mowing/Snow Removal
  • Carpentry/Repairs

  • Painting

  • Graphic Design

  • Photography

  • Volunteer Coordination

  • Helping Train Volunteers

  • Working With Youth