Volunteer FAQ Sheet
Thank you for your interest in volunteering! If you have more questions that haven’t been answered here, please feel free to reach out to us at volunteer@valleyverde.org.
General Volunteer Questions
What volunteer opportunities does Valley Verde offer?
Valley Verde offers two kinds of regular volunteering opportunities!
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Our Open Volunteer Hours are available for drop-in on Fridays in the Morning (10-12pm) and Afternoon (1-3pm).
First-time volunteers must fill out a New Volunteer Registration Form when they arrive on-site. We ask that all volunteers RSVP through our Event Calendar for each shift they want to attend, though they are not required to volunteer due to the drop-in nature of open hours. We have various tasks that vary day to day depending on the season and would love your help: some examples of tasks you can expect to do are weeding, processing compost, and transplanting seedlings. You do not need any prior experience to perform these tasks and all the guidance you need will be provided once you arrive on site! -
Every 2nd Saturday, join us for Valley Verde's Sow & Grow Community Day which features both a Community Workshop AND either a Volunteering Opportunity or fun activity.
Join us to learn a new skill related to food and food justice, and following the workshop, participate in a Volunteering Opportunity to potentially apply your new skills and connect with fellow community members while contributing to the local food justice movement! You may indicate on your RSVP that you can attend both the workshop and volunteering or just one of the two. Can't make it on 2nd Saturdays? Check out our Event Calendar for other Community Workshops throughout the month (without volunteering) or drop in during our Open Volunteering Hours!
Who can volunteer?
Anyone can volunteer! If you have accessibility concerns or specific skills you want to contribute, please include them in the relevant fields when signing up for an opportunity through our Event Calendar. We are able to adjust volunteer tasks to meet your needs as long as you let us know!
Can I bring a group larger than 5 people to volunteer?
Thank you all so much for being interested in volunteering with us!
For any groups larger than 5 people—whether you’re from the community, a school, or corporation—please contact us at volunteer@valleyverde.org at least 2 weeks in advance.
For groups larger than 10, please reach out to us a month in advance.
I have no gardening experience. Can I still volunteer?
Yes, we would love to have you! We will show you everything you need to know for volunteer tasks on site once you arrive. The volunteer opportunities are designed for everyone to have fun and learn something new, so bring your friends and family too!
How do I sign up to volunteer?
Please visit our Event Calendar page where you can view the time slots available each month and sign up for the time that works best for you! To register, click the events you want to attend and fill out our registration form. First-time volunteers must fill out a New Volunteer Registration Form before arriving on site to review our volunteering policies. Community members—anyone not affiliated with an organization such as a School or a Corporation—may RSVP up to a group of 5 people. All other groups larger than 5 people as well as any School and Corporate volunteers should email us at volunteer@valleyverde.org to coordinate details on their participation before registering.
How do I sign up to volunteer on a regular basis?
Thank you for your interest! We would love to have you! Recurring volunteers do not have a separate registration process, so you may continue to register for volunteering through our Event Calendar — we ask that you please touch base with Valley Verde staff on site about your commitment or email us at volunteer@valleyverde.org.
Does Valley Verde have parking available?
All volunteers without accessibility needs are asked to park at 365 Royal Ave, San Jose, CA 95126.
Parking is available directly on-site for volunteers with accessibility needs which can be arranged by indicating so on the registration forms for our events or emailing us at volunteer@valleyverde.org.
Volunteer Requirements
How should I prepare for volunteering?
You should prepare for the type of weather you expect for the day of your volunteering! During our summer hours, we recommend you bring a bottle of water and wear sunscreen, long pants, and a hat. Closed toed shoes are required for safety, as we are an active urban farm.
Is registering required or can I just show up to open hours?
We highly prefer RSVPs from volunteers so that we can prepare appropriately for the number of people expected to attend and best accommodate the volunteering opportunities for you!
What is the minimum age required to volunteer?
We do not have age restrictions on registering for volunteering! However, minors and volunteers younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult and their forms must be signed by their parent/guardian/chaperone.
How far in advance should I sign up for volunteer opportunities?
We ask that you register for opportunities as soon as possible to ensure that we are able to properly gauge attendance for our events.
For any groups larger than 5 people—whether you’re from the community, a school, or corporation—please contact us at volunteer@valleyverde.org at least 2 weeks in advance.
For groups larger than 10, please reach out to us a month in advance.
Cancellations
How do I cancel or reschedule my volunteer hours?
If you are registered as an individual or a group with fewer than 5 people, please contact us about your cancellation at least three days in advance. If you are registered as a group larger than 5 people or as a school or corporate volunteer group, please let us know at least two weeks in advance.
Will volunteering be canceled if it rains or if there’s any other weather concerns?
Valley Verde staff will closely monitor the weather for any storms, heat advisories, or other unfavorable conditions for volunteering and will send out a cancellation email as needed. If you do not receive an email from Valley Verde before the day of volunteering, please assume volunteering will still be happening and that we will be anticipating your attendance! If you are concerned about the weather and would prefer to cancel, please contact us as soon as possible.