Gardening Volunteer on a Horse Farm

Save to Favorites

What is a Gardening Volunteer? There are areas on our farm that we would love to transform into colorful flower gardens that would attract visitors, birds, and butterflies, so if you love planting and caring for wildflowers, annuals, and perennial flowers, we’d love to have you on our team of volunteers.

Old Friends Farm is a non profit organization caring for over 200 retired thoroughbred horses. We are open to the public with tours all year round. As such, we have several areas of gardens that need care, including in our "Hall of Fame Cemetery".

Volunteers decide how much time they can commit to working at Old Friends and what days they are available. Scheduling is flexible and Gardening Volunteers are encouraged to avoid extremely hot and humid days, or to schedule their time during the early hours of the day when temperatures are cooler.

Responsibilities include planting flowers and vegetation (growing plants, seeds, bulbs, etc.), and caring for the plants on a continuing basis (fertilizer, watering, weeding, dead bloom removal, mulching, etc.). Identify, to the extent possible, non-native, invasive, toxic, or harmful plants and weeds and safely remove them as they appear.

Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age and must present a professional attitude and neat appearance. Volunteers should be able to work both independently and with a team of other volunteers.

Our staff will work closely with volunteers to identify areas appropriate for the establishment of flower gardens. Volunteers may work under the direction of a lead volunteer who is familiar with existing plantings so as not to disturb established bulbs or perennials. Work is performed outside, typically in the spring, summer, and fall. Soil may vary from wet to dry and hard packed. Temperatures may vary from cool to hot and humid. Bending, kneeling, and stooping are required in order to accomplish gardening tasks.