Volunteer
Become a part of our Crop Crew!
From Spring through Fall, individuals ages 18 & older are invited to work in the growing fields alongside our farmers weekly. (Not 18 yet? Check out our Certified Junior Gardener Volunteer Program!)
Prepare to get dirty! Tasks are often physically strenuous, so we recommend wearing weather-appropriate, outdoor work attire (hat, sunglasses, layers, rain gear, gloves, closed-toed shoes, etc.) and packing a water bottle and snacks.
Volunteering in our Crop Crew has various benefits including meeting a community of like-minded people, gaining hands-on skills in agriculture, getting exercise and experiencing the calm of Queens Farm’s natural surroundings. All experience levels are welcome.
- WHEN: April 23–October 29, 2024; Every Tuesday & Select Sundays; 10am–12pm and 1pm–3pm
- WHERE: Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park, NY 11004
- REGISTRATION: Free
Tuesday volunteer days may include:
Weeding
Planting
Harvesting
Mulching
Other farm tasks as needed
Sunday volunteer days are scheduled to include:*
May 19: Tomato Planting
Help us plant a variety of tomatoes. We’ll take our tomatoes from the nursery to the field, dig out hundreds of small holes in the planting beds, and tuck the small tomato plants into their new homes.
June 23: Peas & Garlic Scapes Harvest
Garlic scapes grow from each garlic bulb in order to start producing seeds. In an effort to redirect energy back to the bulb, we will be harvesting the scapes from our ~10,000 garlic bulb field. If time allows, we will venture over to the Snap and Snow pea beds for a harvest of peas.
July 14: Garlic Harvest
Mid-July is when our garlic plants are at maturity and ready to pull out of the ground. We will harvest the garlic, gently knock off some soil, and prepare it to be cured in our greenhouse.
August 18: Melon & Potatoes Harvest
Ready for some heavy lifting? We’ll start with the watermelons and cantaloupes. This is a true team effort as the heavy melons require an assembly line of helpers to transport them from the field to the harvest carts. If time allows, we will hop over to the potato beds for another harvest.
September 29: Winter Squash Harvest
Winter squash harvest signals a passing of the torch from summer to fall. We will be harvesting our various squash varieties: butternut, delicata, and kabocha.
October 27: Garlic Planting
Help start the garlic cycle by planting next year’s bulbs.
*Programming subject to change without notice (Mother Nature can be unpredictable!)
Fast FAQs:
- Volunteers must be 18 or older.
- Volunteer hours are 10am–12pm and 1pm–3pm. Pre-registration is required as availability for each date is limited.
- Upon arrival, walk down the main road to the “Volunteer Check-in Station” (there will be a tent with a table). A farmer will be there from 9:50am–10:10am, and 12:50pm–1:10pm to greet you. Late arrivals should still plan on stopping by the tent to sign in and follow directions to the activity site.
- Prepare to get dirty! Wear proper outdoor work attire (hat, sunglasses, layers, rain gear, gardening gloves, closed-toed boots/shoes, etc.). The farm will provide gloves.
- Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated and remember to use sun protection.
- Bring snacks/lunch with you; there is no café on site.
- Tasks may be physically strenuous, and can include weeding, mulching, turning compost, or harvesting, depending on the needs of the farm that day.
- All experience levels welcome; no experience necessary.
- Free street parking and bike parking available. The farm is also accessible by public transit.
- Queens Farm has public restrooms on site.
- Volunteer tasks are rain or shine.
- Registration intended for individuals only. If you are interested in group volunteering, please email info@queensfarm.org or call 718-347-3276.
- Activities do not include hands-on work with our livestock; only field work.
- Volunteers are encouraged to stay for the whole time slot.
- If your plans change and you can no longer join us, please email hello@queensfarm.org to cancel your registration and allow another volunteer to register in your place.
- If you are sick, please stay home for your health and the health of others. We ask that all volunteers review our Health & Hygiene policy here and review this video detailing Farm Food Safety practices.
QUESTIONS? Email hello@queensfarm.org Mon–Fri and and a member of our team will get back to you.