Volunteer with WEI - Women's Environmental Institute

Click here to volunteer with us at WEI!

The Women’s Environmental Institute is a nonprofit environmental justice organization that works for environmental justice through agricultural, racial, and gender justice strategies — one community at a time, one farm at a time, one person at a time and all of us together.

WEI relies on the help of volunteers to make our work a success, especially with the day-to-day operations of our Amador Hill Farm and Orchard. Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds are welcome: Individuals, organizations, student clubs, or business groups. (Volunteers under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult. More info below.)

We welcome volunteer farmers Monday through Friday (Thu-Fri only in winter), and we also offer seasonal weekday and weekend volunteer events including composting and bed preparation, apple tree pruning, spring and fall transplant days, garlic planting, cider pressing, and more. Deepen your skills and knowledge in community! Overnight accommodations for a discount are available for volunteers at WEI’s FarmStay (two-night minimum). Farm tours are also available for a small fee upon request. Email us for accommodations and tour scheduling.

Mill City Farmers Market: Be part of the lively, bustling Saturday Mill City Farmers Market at the WEI booth. Help us set up, sell veggies, promote WEI programs, and get to know our supporters and customers.

Lindstrom Public Market: Be part of the wonderful Saturday Lindstrom Public Market community by volunteering at the WEI booth. Help us set up, sell veggies, promote WEI programs, break down the booth, and get to know our supporters and customers.

Or if you enjoy website design, graphic design, grants research, cooking, cleaning, photography, painting, or any other skill let’s talk about how you can get involved! Email volunteer@w-e-i.org to start the conversation.

Lastly, if you’re interested in volunteering over the course of the season in exchange for a CSA box, read more about our Workshare Program (program full for 2026).

Director of Farming, Education and Operations: Jacquelyn Zita, jz@w-e-i.org

Commonly Asked Questions

What do I need to wear or bring with me to volunteer on the farm?

Be ready to get dirty and come prepared for the weather! Bring a hat, clothing layers, bug spray, sunscreen, tick repellent (in spring and early summer especially), water bottle, snacks and lunch. All volunteers are required to wear close-toed shoes. We have a refrigerator and microwave for volunteer and staff use.

What time should I arrive to volunteer? Where do I go?

Please arrive 15 minutes before your volunteer shift. Volunteers should park in the parking spaces near the brick Farmhouse. Please refrain from parking on the orchard as it damages the roots. Head inside the brick Farmhouse to sign in and get oriented. If you’re running late, please contact us so we can figure out how to coordinate with you.

Can children volunteer at your farm?

Generally speaking, younger kids don’t do as well out in the fields unless a parent is watching every move! It does not take much to get off track and accidentally step on a plant or pull something that is not a weed. If you would like to explore the farm with your child a better option may be to come out to a public event and walk the grounds (see events page for upcoming events and tours). We do, however, often welcome high school kids and we can support community service hours completion!

General Age Requirements:

12+ to volunteer and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian

16+ may volunteer without an adult present but with their guardian’s permission

18+ Come on down!

Can I schedule a group for volunteering?

We love groups and would love to help you create a great day of service and team building! If your office or community group would like to coordinate a day out, please email volunteer@w-e-i.org so we can schedule a time for you.

Are there volunteer opportunities that do not involve farming or physical labor?

Yes! We have plenty of opportunities of all kinds. We have several events during the year where we need help with all sorts of things like greeting, food prep, serving, and clean up. On a regular basis we can almost always use help cleaning the common areas of the farm such as the kitchen and bathrooms. If you have special talents such as photography, painting, computer work, fundraising, or teaching… let us know what you can do and we’ll find something fun to do! Opportunities for volunteering are available both at WEI’s Amador Hill Farm, in the Twin Cities metro area, and remotely.

Who do I coordinate my volunteer time with?

WEI staff work to field the requests and questions we receive about our volunteer program. Email us at volunteer@w-e-i.org or fill out the Volunteer Interest Form to start the process!

How do I stay in the loop on volunteer opportunities?

The best way is to sign up for our newsletter. The newsletter provides info on all the upcoming events, important information about the farm, and special volunteer opportunities. You can sign up clicking on our subscribe button on the upper right-hand side of the webpage.

Workshare vs Volunteer – what’s the difference?

Workshare applications are currently open for the 2024 growing season. Volunteers come to the farm as they’re able while Workshare individuals commit to 72 hours in exchange for a CSA share. Sometimes, volunteers will be able to take home a bit of produce, while Workshare individuals will pick up their full CSA box each week. Volunteers can sign up here and those interested in Workshare can fill out an application here. Gardening/farming experience is not a requirement in order to be involved, just a willingness to learn.

How are you keeping folks safe during COVID?

As an intergenerational, community space we take everyone’s health and safety very seriously. Please don’t come to the farm if you aren’t feeling well or have tested positive within the last two weeks, and if you test positive within two weeks of leaving the farm, please let us know. Click here for our full COVID policy.

I still have questions…

For more information about volunteering on the farm, please contact us at volunteer@w-e-i.org