Name
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First Name
Last Name
Email
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Phone
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Our mutual time commitment
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In mutual respect of everyone's time and effort, volunteers commit to a full field shift each week from March until the end of October, with time away as needed. Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri and Sat shifts are 9am-3pm, Sun 10am-2pm. Please let us know as soon as you can of any vacation plans or known time you will be away. If on the morning of a shift you are running late or need to miss your shift please notify your shift lead by text or phone so they know when/ if to expect you. We may need to cancel shifts once in a while for staff to take time off.
Learning
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We want to provide you with a rich learning experience and to help develop your confidence working with soil and plants. We do a lot of learning by doing and through knowledge exchange and discussion. When doing a task with us we ask that you listen carefully to instructions, ask questions for clarification, try the task you have been given, engage in dialogue about the task while doing it and be open to ongoing suggestions.
Manual Labour
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As farmers we do a lot of manual labour in all kinds of weather, rain or shine. There will be beautiful warm days with blue skies, and there will also be rain, mud, cold, and possibly snow or hail. Shovelling soil, pushing loaded wheelbarrows, weeding beds, cleaning and disinfecting trays and equipment, putting 1000's of seeds in the ground by hand, building trellises and harvesting produce week after week is physically hard work and very repetitive. On the flip side, you will feel stronger as the season progresses and build tolerance (and hopefully enjoyment) of the repetitive tasks that farming (and life) requires.
What to wear: Layers & Rain Gear
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Weather changes fast, especially in the Spring. Come prepared for a full 4 or 6 hours outdoors in whatever conditions may arise. Check the weather forecast prior to your field shift.
(1) If there’s even a chance of rain, bring rain gear, or the closest you have to it (waterproof hat or hood, waterproof jacket, waterproof pants, waterproof boots/shoes).
(2) In cool weather, wear thermal layers and bring a toque/ hat. Consider bringing a thermos of warm lunch and/or tea.
(3) For hot and sunny days, bring sunscreen, a wide brimmed hat, and/or a long-sleeved shirt to protect yourself from the sun and heat stress.
(4) Please wear close-toed shoes or boots.
What to Bring: Water Bottle & Lunch
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Farming is physical and requires bodily sustenance. Bring a water bottle, which can be refilled using the outdoor taps and a bag lunch and snacks. Come prepared with enough food & drink to stay at the farm for your entire 4 or 6 hour shift and to eat with the field team during the 12-12:40pm lunch break (we often talk farm stuff). If you’re in a pinch the closest amenity is a 7 minute walk one-way called Dylan’s where you can get muffins, sandwiches, soup and fries. You can call ahead with your order for pick-up. There is also a pharmacy with snacks.
Volunteer Safety
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Your safety is incredibly important to us. If we feel you are putting yourself or others at risk with unsafe behaviour we will ask you to change the behaviour before proceeding with your shift. This includes:
(1) Stay home if you are sick, tired or need to rest.
(2) Stay warm in the cold & cool in the heat.
(3) Take breaks to sit, stretch, use the bathroom and be in the shade as needed.
(4) Stay fed and hydrated. Drink lots of water, eat electrolytes.
(5) Take care when lifting bins or tools: If a bin is too heavy, ask for help; always lift using leg strength; bend with knees, not with your back.
(6) Be mindful of tripping hazards and slippery surfaces including hoses, burlap bags, plastic, mud and puddles in pathways, and curbs along driveways to prevent falls and injury.
(7) Let staff know if you have recurring pain that limits the tasks you can do, or if you have hurt yourself during a shift at the farm. There are first aid kits on site in the Greenhouse (South Field) & Processing Shed (Main Field).
Washrooms
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Volunteers and staff can currently access indoor washrooms through the easternmost entrance of George Pearson Centre (GPC) through the shipping & receiving doors at 650 West 57th Avenue, away from the busy front door entrance used by staff and residents. Shipping & Receiving is about a 7 minute walk from our main field site (across the street from Dylan's and the Pharmacy). Please be friendly with the people inside, likely staff, who you see with eye smiles and muffled hellos. If they ask, you can tell them you are a volunteer with Farmers on 57th and have been authorized to use the washrooms. Alternatively, there are fieldhouse washrooms at Oak Park, a 7 minute walk one way along 59th Avenue west towards Oak St.
Interaction with George Pearson Centre (GPC) residents
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We operate on the grounds of GPC, home to 100+ people living with diverse abilities and complex care needs. Our market garden is located right outside their bedroom windows so it’s important that we are good neighbours. This includes:
(1) Being friendly to people when you see them: make eye contact, say hi and engage in conversation as possible.
(2) Not offering residents anything to put in their mouth, as this may pose a health hazard. This includes liquids to drink and any food item no matter how small or soft. If asked, you can say, “Sorry, I’m not allowed”.
(3) Keep noise to a respectful volume.
Farmer's share of the bounty
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We offer volunteers part of the “farmer’s share” of produce each week. Volunteers are offered what has been harvested in surplus, what may be the “ugly” vegetables not distributed to CSA members or that volunteers can harvest for themselves under direction of the shift lead and will not impact harvest for CSA members. Sometimes there are flowers to take home too. If you would like to harvest something specific, please ask for permission. We often have an abundance of one or two things and it's actually helpful if you take as much as you can. Food distribution of unpredictable farm yields can be tricky! Some volunteers take veggies to community fridges or other food programs which is also very helpful.
Consent to share contact information with co-farmers
We will communicate with the volunteer & staff team by email from time to time, and use whatsapp as our main form of team communications. Do you consent to having your email address and phone number visible to other volunteers on the farm team?
Release of liability, waiver of all possible claims and assumption of risk
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Warning: By Checking This You Are Waiving Your Legal Rights and You Give Up the Right to Sue. I desire to participate in all activities sponsored or organized by Farmers on 57th. I understand that in order for Farmers on 57th to accept my application to participate in the above activities, I must agree to be bound by this Release, Waiver and Assumption of Risk. I waive any and all claims I may now and in the future have against, and release from all liability and agree not to sue Farmers on 57th, Vancouver Coastal Health and its employees or representatives (collectively the “Released Parties”) for any personal injury, death and property damages, expenses or loss sustained by me as a result of my participation in the above activities due to any cause whatsoever, including, without limitation, negligence, breach of statutory duty including duties arising from occupier's liability legislation, on the part of the Released Parties but is not intended to affect any rights I have under Provincial Worker’s Compensation legislation. I confirm that I am the full age of majority or, in the alternative, I have indicated that I am the guardian of the minor participant named, and that I have read and understand this agreement prior to signing it and agree that this agreement will be binding upon me (as participants or guardians), my heirs, next of kin, executors, administrators and successors.
Consent to Fo57 Use of Photos and Videos
In consideration of my, and/or my minor’s engagement as a Urban Farming Learning Program Volunteer, I authorize Farmers on 57th (the Photographer’), to use: 1. digital photographs & video of me (the ‘Materials’) in accordance with the following terms: THEME OF MATERIALS The Materials will be recorded and used with the understanding that the content or theme thereof will be Urban Farming Learning Program related activities, recorded at the Market Garden Site, during the growing season March – October. REPRODUCTION AND USE Farmers on 57th has the unrestricted right and permission to copyright and use, re-use, publish, and republish the Materials in all forms of media (including printed materials) for promotional purposes (including, but not limited to, advertising, publicity, or display use), illustration, exhibition, editorial, or any other purpose whatsoever. RELEASE OF CLAIMS I hereby relinquish any right that I may have to examine or approve the completed Materials or their use(s). Further, I hereby release and discharge Farmers on 57th and all persons functioning under their permission or authority (including, but not limited to directors & employees) from any claims. I hereby affirm that I am over the age of majority (19) and have the right to contract in my own name and I have read the above document and I fully understand its contents. This agreement shall be binding upon me and my heirs, legal representatives and assigns.
I'd like to be added to the Volunteers Whatsapp group chat
We will use this as our main form of communication, and a place where we can share photos/ info. Any information within the chat will not be shared without permission)
Code of Conduct
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As a member of the Farmers on 57th team, each of us must commit to a code of conduct. Our volunteers must:
- Understand the Farmers on 57th mission
- Recognize that a volunteer commitment is an important responsibility
- Embrace all Farmers on 57th Volunteer Guidelines and Procedures
- Contribute to the success of the Farmers on 57th market garden project
- Understand that volunteer behaviour and actions reflect on Farmers on 57th Society
- will demonstrate passion and commitment to Farmers on 57th and refrain from public criticism of fellow volunteers, staff or the organization. Please bring issues with other volunteers to Farmers on 57th staff, and bring issues with staff to the ED of Farmers on 57th.
- contribute to a welcoming and safe working environment by demonstrating respect and fair treatment without regard to gender, place of origin, sexual orientation, age, religion, political belief, race, physical or mental ability, or economic status and refraining from the use of profane, insulting, harassing or otherwise offensive language
Failure to comply with these and other agreed upon responsibilities of your volunteer role may mean this isn’t a fit and we will need to part ways.
