Often the best way to learn is by doing. Get a taste of the myriad of things a farmer does while preparing and growing San Diego seasonal plantings of vegetables, greens, medicinal and culinary herbs and cover crops at Wild Willow Farm.

Volunteer tasks depend on your level of experience, abilities, and the needs of the farm that week. Tasks might include: mucking animal pens, weeding, bed building, planting, developing areas for their classes and field trips, mulching, putting up structures, composting, and more!

The farm is a great place for people of all ages and abilities. You'll get to work with Wild Willow Farm farmers, team leaders, and interns. WWF is an educational farm, so there's no experience required, and they'll teach you everything you need to know to be involved. Don't hesitate to ask them any questions.

Opportunity Requirements & Important Notes

Attire: Closed-toe shoes (no sandals), long pants and sleeves, sun hat, and a mask.

Bring: Sunscreen, refillable water bottle, snacks. Please come prepared for sunshine, cold, heat and working in the dirt. They have bugs, all kinds of wild plants, animals, and more, so please bring any medications you need for allergies. All necessary tools and gloves will be provided.

Safety: People safety is as important to Wild Willow Farm as food safety, so please do not come if you have been sick, please wear a mask, and observe appropriate social distancing. They are doing their best to keep their farmers and community safe, so please respect necessary precautions.

Physical Abilities: Wild Willow Farm welcomes people of all ages and abilities.

Weather: Even though it only rains 10" a year on average in San Diego, when it does rain, it can get uncomfortably muddy on the farm. If it's been raining heavily at the farm over several days or there is prediction of significant amounts of rain for an upcoming project, more than likely the volunteering day will be canceled. Volunteers will be notified via email if a project is canceled.

About Wild Willow Farm

Wild Willow Farm is a space for biocultural diversity that provides educational experiences to nurture self-empowerment and inspire people to connect to food, land and each other. Under the Resource Conservation District, they also work to protect, conserve, and restore natural resources through education, information, and technical assistance programs.