2011 Crew: Employees and Volunteers
Thank you for your interest in Volunteering with Sylvester Manor Educational Farm!
We are an 8-acre organic vegetable farm located at Sylvester Manor, a history-rich former plantation on Shelter Island, NY (between Long Island’s north and south forks). At Sylvester Manor we explore the intersection of community, food, culture, and place. We host activities that range from children’s farm programs to instrument building, from modern dance to guided tours. Each year, we host a festival linking food and the arts, called “Plant & Sing,” which includes concerts, workshops, and community dances.
This year, our fourth full year in operation, we’ll continue to develop and expand our operations as a not-for-profit educational farm growing fresh and fair food, and serving the community of Shelter Island. We operate a 135-member CSA (anticipated for 2012) and a year-round farmstand, participate at the island’s farmer’s market, and provide produce to several local restaurants and markets.
Volunteers will be asked to help out in all aspects of our operation (seeding, bed preparation, transplanting, weeding, harvesting, washing, packing, animal care, construction projects, value-added product production, farmstand and farmer’s market work, farm-based education etc.). We do ask that volunteers work with the crew 32 hours per week, roughly four 8-hour days per week. The work is hard, but most have found it highly educational and rewarding.
You could even be involved in farm-based education!
Volunteers need not have farm experience, but must be enthusiastic about farming, food, and music. We ask a minimum 2-week commitment and prefer at least one month. The highest need for volunteers is April through the end of October, but occasionally we accept volunteers during months outside this time frame. Rustic amenities such as outdoor hot-water shower, sink, toilet, and communal kitchen facilities will be provided, occasionally we can also provide accommodations but can only guarantee a tent space amongst other tenting volunteers. Evening and weekend activities include fishing, swimming (sandy beaches located within 1 mile), canoeing, and music making.
Public transportation is extremely easy from NYC, Boston, New London, CT to Greenport, NY; just a short ferry-ride away from Shelter Island. During the week, we share all meals and rotate cooking responsibilities. Vegetarian diets are easily accommodated. Children/pets not preferred.
Check out our feature on EatTV
TO VOLUNTEER:
Please complete the volunteer interest form and application below and we will get back to you about volunteer options as soon as possible. Thank you for your interest. We look forward to hearing from you!
Volunteer Interest Form and Application
