Our Mobile Volunteer Program has been active in Midtown and KCK nearly every Friday morning (early, to beat the heat!) this growing season. We’ve met volunteers at a different farm each week, dedicating a few hours to activities like planting, weeding, mulching, and harvesting! We’re proud to have visited ten farms and gardens with over 450 volunteer hours so far this year.
Upcoming Opportunities
As part of our new Mobile Volunteer Program, this growing season, we’ll be partnering with nearby urban farms for volunteer opportunities. Volunteering on a farm can be hard work but is so rewarding! Please dress for the weather, wear sunscreen and closed-toe shoes, and bring a water bottle
- George Washington Carver Farm at 3701 Chestnut, KCMO. REGISTER
- Juniper Gardens Training Farm at 100 Richmond Ave, Kansas City, KS. REGISTER
- Young Family Farm at 3819 Wayne Ave, KCMO. REGISTER
We checked in with Cultivate KC Site Manager, Emily Kovar to discuss what she loves about the program.
“Overall, it has been my pleasure to see so many different examples of what urban agriculture looks like in Kansas City. There are market farms, nonprofits, and community gardens and farms. Having the opportunity to come and work alongside the farmers that feed us has been an amazing experience and through the months we get to operate like time travelers, planting kale one day and coming back to see the full-grown plant flourishing,” she said.
“I have also been amazed to see interns, corporate groups, and hobbyists “dive” into tasks such as weeding, moving mulch and compost, and clearing beds with an enthusiasm and spirit that has surprised me. Groups will come to volunteer that have limited experience with gardening, yet without fail, as we’re harvesting green beans or garlic or potatoes, I hear “wow, I just found a big one!” or “look how nice this potato is!” and I think that is the whole purpose of a program like this. To bring assistance to farmers whose battle against weeds never ends, but even more so to share the absolute joy of picking a green bean off a bush and making the connection to where our food comes from. I am so grateful to the farms that have welcomed us and put their trust in a group of volunteers, and to the volunteers who have braved the heat, labor, sweat, and bugs to help their local farmer.”
Highlights of the summer season have included activities like assembling a composting system at Global One Urban Farming with Missouri Organic Recycling, enjoying fresh, wood-fired pizza, hot out of the oven at Dirt Beast, and harvesting an impressive three wheelbarrows worth of garlic at Young Family Farm. We also owe an incredibly special thanks to Sherri Gerdel, our #1 MVP volunteer this season, and Pat Devine, who comes in a close second!
We’ve updated our MVP schedule through the fall season, and it’s a terrific opportunity to enjoy the outdoors with friends, family, or colleagues to learn about where your local food comes from, and to meet the growers making it all possible. MVP is ideal for beginners and experts, individuals, and groups. Join us at an MVP workday soon!
