MAKE Projects MAKE Farm VOLUNTEER (Production Focus) San Diego, CA · Part time Company website

Apply for MAKE Farm VOLUNTEER (Production Focus)

MAKE stands for Merging Agriculture Kitchens and Employment. Our social enterprise restaurant and urban farm located in San Diego provides an exciting learning platform for our participants to gain critical social, communication and job readiness skills. We operate an urban farm and cafe to provide a paid, real-world work experience for low-income refugee and immigrant women and youth. Our vision at MAKE Projects is to see San Diegans cross social, racial, economic, and geographic lines as we gather over a common love of food, flavors, and culture. We believe in the power of food to bring diverse populations together, unite a community, and educate each other about our history and differences, as well as our commonalities.

This is a VOLUNTEER, UNPAID position.

• Volunteer Title: MAKE Farm Volunteer (Production Focus) 
• Hours: Part-Time; 4-8 hours weekly; Wednesday, Thursday and/or Friday 8am-12pm; minimum 12-week commitment 
• Compensation: None 
• Location: On-site in San Diego, California 

 

Job Summary: 

The MAKE Farm Volunteer (Production Focus) position supports MAKE staff and participants in the day-to-day operations and maintenance of our sustainably-grown vegetable farm and educational gardens located in the heart of Mission Valley. MAKE Projects operates a training program for women with social, cultural and language barriers. MAKE Farm volunteers work alongside staff and program participants to collectively grow, harvest and maintain a beautiful, sustainably-grown CSA (community-supported agriculture) program. MAKE Farm also hosts school field trips and day camps throughout the year, and MAKE Farm (Production Focus) volunteers will also have an important role in helping to educate young students, campers and the public about the inner workings of our farm and the surrounding ecosystem. 

 

Who You Are: 

• Professional demeanor: The MAKE team cultivates a professional work environment for our program participants to learn the social and cultural etiquette of a typical American workplace. 
• Kind and patient: We also cultivate a supportive learning environment for our program participants, school tour students and members of the public.  
• Adaptable and flexible: small-scale, organic vegetable farming + nonprofit mission and organization = a dynamic environment where a growth mindset and positive attitude are essential 
• Strong attention to detail, compliance and quality standards: To maintain a productive vegetable farm and beautiful learning site, we need consistent and correct farm procedures and policies for a safe and healthy environment 

 

Key Activities 

1. Work in a collaborative team environment to support the success of MAKE Farm and MAKE’s training program in equal measure  
2. Learn and follow all MAKE Farm’s standard operating procedures (SOP) – and reinforce, coach and support program participants to learn and follow the same  
3. Work with MAKE Farm staff and participants to seed, transplant and flip vegetable beds as well as maintain the farm compost operations and surrounding teaching gardens 
4. Research and implement problem-solving techniques in response to crop failure, pests, and seasonal challenges 
5. Assist MAKE Farm staff in a safe, organized and productive CSA harvest each week 
6. Talk and engage with school children and visitors to MAKE Farm and occasionally giving age-appropriate lessons about farm ecology (training provided by MAKE staff) 

 

 

Qualifications: 

• Strong social and communication skills for effectively engaging with program participants and farm visitors 
• Positive and professional demeanor  
• Must be able to follow all farm safety procedures, including tool handling, lifting techniques, and working around farm equipment 
• Must be able to lift 20 pounds and stand for long periods of time 
• Must be comfortable working outdoors in hot or cold weather 
• Must pass background check  

 

Compensation and Benefits: This is an unpaid volunteer position.  

 

This is a 12-week commitment. MAKE reserves the right to end a volunteer's status at any time, for any reason or no reason.