Why volunteer?
Volunteering with Urban Roots is a great way to spend time outdoors, get some fresh air and connect to your community.
Volunteers typically work with youth leaders on the farm for 2-to 3-hour shifts planting, harvesting, and packing fresh produce. The produce is then distributed to increase food access in Austin. Many hands, many smiles, many thousands of pounds of farm-fresh produce to share with our neighbors!
Want to stay in-the-know about volunteer opportunities? Sign up for our email newsletter and select “volunteering” as one of your interests.
Photo: (c) 2023 Arazelly Alcazar. Photo courtesy of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Individuals
We welcome volunteers throughout the year on our two urban farms located in East and South Austin.
No prior farming experience is necessary! Learn more about what to expect in the helpful “Know Before You Grow” Q&A below.
Volunteer as often as you like – but please sign up in advance to help us plan! If you don’t see any shifts available, check back soon.
If volunteering by yourself, with friends, or in a group with fewer than 15 folks, please sign up below as “individuals.”
Groups
Group volunteering is great for team-building, refreshing creativity with a change of scenery, and giving back to your community together.
Please read the Group Volunteering Q&A section before registering.
If you have more questions about group volunteering, send us an email!
Questions and Answers
Know Before You Grow!
What to bring?
- A refillable water bottle – we have filling stations but do not provide cups.
- Weather-ready clothing: closed-toed shoes, a wide-brimmed hat and sleeves to protect from the sun and other elements, plus a bandana is always handy. We provide gardening gloves, but if you have and love your own, feel free to bring them along.
- Sunscreen is a must even on cloudy days, and insect repellent is strongly suggested. We have some of these at the farm to share if you do not have your own.
- You may get muddy, so consider bringing a dry pair of shoes to change into for transport and a plastic bag or some cardboard to put down to protect your interiors from mud. We have a limited number of rain boots to borrow in various sizes at the farm.
- If you’re volunteering to fulfill community service hours, make sure to bring your paperwork to a staff member so we can sign it for you.
Do volunteer days happen in all kinds of weather?
- Volunteer days at Urban Roots are rain or shine! With the exception of dangerous conditions such as lightning, thunder, hail, torrential rain, or ice, we will keep farming.
- If the volunteer shift is canceled due to inclement weather, we will send an email to notify all participants. We try to make weather calls at least 12 hours in advance, though there may be rare exceptions.
How will I know what to do? Will someone show me?
- Volunteers receive instruction from Urban Roots youth leaders, who are experts on the tasks and ready to teach. We keep groups small and tasks simple for learning and accomplishing together during a short shift.
- Tasks can include seeding, transplanting, pruning, weeding, processing, harvesting, or general farm maintenance. These tasks are simple and repetitive, so you’ll have plenty of practice to get the rhythm!
Can I bring my children to volunteer?
- Regular volunteer days at Urban Roots are not designed/suited for children younger than 10, though we are dreaming up future opportunities for more age-inclusive opportunities. We occasionally have special activities suited to all ages, so sign up for email newsletters to stay in-the-know.
- Sorry, no fur-babies either. Please leave pets at home for their own safety. Service dogs are welcome.
What does it feel like on the farm? (AKA “farm vibes”):
Urban Roots is a diverse, safe place for a multitude of experiences. We ask all guests to respect and honor everyone at the farm, their differences and gifts, and their pronouns.
Is the work fast-paced? Will I get to take breaks?
- Our farm work and flow is centered around community-building and attention to detail. Most of our farm practices are slow-paced, organic and by hand.
- We take breaks between tasks and celebrate our work in various ways throughout the day!
Group & Corporate Volunteering
How big is a group?
The ideal large group is 15-25 people, with 25 being maximum. For fewer than 15 people, please have everyone register as individuals HERE.
What kind of groups does Urban Roots work with?
We work with other nonprofit organizations, educators, corporate teams, foodie folks – everyone is welcome! No previous experience is required for a farm volunteer day.
Why are there limited dates available for group volunteering?
As a youth leadership organization, our volunteer experiences are youth led! Our group volunteer schedule is designed in coordination with our youth programs calendar.
How often can my group volunteer?
Group bookings are once per season so we can keep the opportunities accessible to more folks. We hope your team-members will consider returning for individual volunteer opportunities (or in smaller groups of 15 or fewer through individual volunteer sign up!)
Is there a cost for groups to volunteer?
Corporate groups are asked to make a donation to help support our mission. There is no charge for community-based groups.
If you would like to discuss getting involved as a corporate partner, reach out to us by email here.
Next-Level Volunteers:
Community Ambassadors
Ready for a more regular volunteer gig at Urban Roots?
Our Community Ambassador crew is a dedicated, seasonal group of aspiring green thumbs, urban growers, and horticulture enthusiasts who sign on for several weeks of showing up, upskilling, and volunteer leadership on the farm.
You learn directly from our farm teams, work alongside wonderful youth leaders, get access to special knowledge sessions, and can take home fresh produce. No former knowledge is required, just commitment!
Applications for our next Community Ambassador cohort, who will begin service after Labor Day, will open on Aug. 10 and be accepted through Sept. 6. Sign up for our email newsletter and select “Volunteering” as one of your interests to be notified! You can also email us with questions or interest here.
