Volunteer Opportunities
At the Countryside Conservancy, one thing's for certain — we couldn't accomplish all that we do without the hard work, and dedication of our volunteers.
Our volunteer opportunities provide many different ways that you can get involved — whether you are interested in helping out at our Farmers' Markets, assisting office staff, or planning special events — we'd love to hear from you. Check out our volunteer opportunities, and contact us if one seems like a good fit for you.
MARKET CHEFS AND SOUS CHEFS
Volunteers assist Market Staff and Market Chefs with cooking demonstrations and coordinate
tastings of seasonal produce and locally made foods Duties may include: set up and tear down the Chef at the Market table, prep & tasting areas, gathering produce for cooking demonstrations, helping cooks with prep work, distribution of market recipes and answering general cooking questions and assisting with tastings. Skills Required: Love of local food, interest in seasonal eating and sustainable agriculture, good public relations/teaching skill and ease at talking to the public. No professional culinary experience necessary. Minimum Time Commitment: Three hours
MARKET MUSICIANS
Volunteers provide their musical talents for the enjoyment of market shoppers, vendors and others in attendance. Skill required: musical talent and a passion for sharing it with the public in a relaxed, enjoyable community setting. Minimum Time Commitment: Three hours
PHOTOGRAPHY VOLUNTEER
Attention, budding photographers! We’re always looking for photos that capture the essence of our farmers’ markets. Hours are very flexible.
MARKET COUNTER / SURVEY TAKER
Are you a people watcher? Do you long to hang out on street corners and watch the parade? Countryside Farmers’ Markets are growing and we like to keep track of this growth. Every week during the season we count the customers entering each corner of the market. Counters will be provided with a market apron, name tag, click-counter and a clip board. Skills Required: Ability to stand for 10 minutes at a time; ability to avoid distractions. Minimum Time Commitment: 10 minutes on the hour for as many hours as you like, this job allows for lots of shopping time between counts.
OFFICE ASSISTANTS
It’s not just on Market days that we're busy keeping the Market humming, but all the time. We can always use assistance with mailings, data entry and word processing, signage, etc.. Most of this work would be done in our office at 2179 Everett Road in Peninsula. Some tasks can be completed in your home on your own time schedule. Skills Required: Depends on the project. What do you do best? Minimum Time Commitment: Varies with the project, and extremely flexible!
SPECIAL EVENT ASSISTANTS
Countryside Farmers’ Markets are planning a variety of special events and celebrations for the market season including speakers, children’s activities, contests, and special demonstrations. Volunteers may be asked to decorate, assist at the Chef’s Table, offer samples of seasonal foods, greet market patrons, etc. Skills Required: Creative and fun-loving attitude. Minimum time commitment: Usually a three hour shift at the market, but varies by event.
FLOATERS
Just want to help at the market but not sure how? Volunteer as a floater and we’ll find a job that’s perfect for you. Minimum time commitment: two hours. Flexible hours.
MARKET GEEK
Techno-savvy volunteer needed to assist technologically challenged market staff in establishing market pod-casts, blog, etc.