Volunteer Opportunities

Wagner Farm Arboretum Foundation looks forward to innovative ideas, suggestions, and the refreshing spirit that accompanies a willingness to serve. We welcome experienced gardeners, those willing to learn and those who just want to be a part of a great experience.

We have many opportunities available for people of all ages, skills and availability. You may click HERE for a copy of all Volunteer Opportunities available.

The Warren Township Committee's approval of the creation of our Community Garden’s parent body, the Wagner Farm Arboretum Foundation (WFAF) was particularly influenced by the fact that we are an all-volunteer enterprise. So it was in the beginning, and so it remains. Volunteers are central to maintaining our present activities – and to carrying out major projects in 2010 and beyond.

Below are descriptions of these opportunities and a WFAF contact. Let us know what you like to do and we can work with you to offer a satisfying volunteer experience. We will work within your schedule, value your commitment and we are flexible. There are many ways to be a volunteer and support our mission.

If you have any questions or ideas, please let us know! For general questions about volunteering at the Wagner Farm Arboretum, please contact Suzanne Smith at suzannesmith@wfafnj.org 908-647-3737. We are waiting to hear from you!

Community Garden Committee

• The Committee meets once a month to discuss ongoing operations of the Community Garden, our program that offers gardening plots to members of the community for $50 per year
• We often discuss problems and issues that confront our gardeners, and recommend activities and solutions, often defining new volunteer opportunities
  The "Vole Control Project" is an example. "Voles" (aka "field mice") are a nuisance that eat tender shoots and can destroy your fruits and vegetables. We developed a solution and identified volunteers to watch for their tell-tale burrow
• Participating in Community Garden Committee meetings on a regular basis gives you the chance to help run our gardening site as you would like to see it run
• Contact: Keith Cooper keithcooper@wfafnj.org 908-322-8323

Giving Gardeners’ Project

• The purpose of the Giving Gardeners Project (GGP) is to produce vegetables to feed the poor and needy. The vegetables are grown by volunteers and are distributed through established local agencies
• Volunteer tasks include: preparing plots and paths, planting and harvesting vegetables, tilling and watering, delivering food and clearing the land at the end of the season
• You can volunteer as part of your church, scout or school group or by yourself. You can commit to a whole season or just a part of it, depending on your availability
• You can volunteer to be a team leader if you wish, coordinating work schedules of other gardeners
• No need to be an expert yourself - experienced gardeners are available to help if you have questions
• Contact: Ernest Cottrill elcottrill@wfafnj.org 732-560-8765

Growing to Give Program

• One of the major efforts at WFAF has been conducted through Warren Township schools, a vibrant and exhilarating program which provides hundreds of children with hands-on experience in both gardening and sharing. Children learn respect for the environment, healthy eating, and sharing food with kids and families who are less fortunate
• This year, 437 children raised seedlings in their classrooms and planted them in the Giving Garden
• Volunteers help facilitate the program with the school, and help with planting of the children's crops. Most of the work is done by the end of June and you can tend your own plot during and after the project
• Contact: Julie Gnoy juliegnoy@wfafnj.org 908-626-0101

Adopt-A-Bed Program

• Tending the grounds at the store and the plantings at the roadside sign is a conspicuous need at the Arboretum. Maintaining the daffodil bed and its environs would help put our best face forward on Mountain Avenue. You or your organization could get bragging rights and have the fun of working together for the benefit of The Wagner Farm Arboretum
• Contact: Suzanne Smith suzannesmith@wfafnj.org 908-647-3737

Children’s Garden

• One of the most exciting projects in the Arboretum's Formal Gardens, the Children’s Garden, (where the cows are) was designed by Garden Designer, Jackie Kaar Paltjon, who envisioned it as "a place that children will remember and will ask to return to, time and time again." Planning is well underway, and there are several steps remaining before it is fully realized – from design implementation and structure installation to party planning and mulching
• Contact: Holly Hall administrator@wfafnj.org 908-580-1045

Perennial Garden

• This committee is working on developing a garden in the shade shelter area - an important part of the Community Garden – it will provide flowers that attract beneficial bugs as well as adding interest and beauty when sitting under the shade shelter
• Contact: Keith Cooper keithcooper@wfafnj.org 908-322-8323

Fundraising and Grants Committee

• The Committee is responsible for Development projects, including procuring vendors and donations for the Boutiques, the Appraisathon and other revenue-generating activities to benefit WFAF
• The committee meets semi-monthly to plan and implement current programs and brainstorm ideas for new ones
• We are always interested in new ideas and participation from community members who would like to help build this important funding source for the Foundation
• We are also seeking volunteers who will visit local businesses for funding of items for the gardens or for items for sale at any of our boutiques.
• We are also seeking volunteer Grant Writers, to help us procure funding for planned projects such as The Children's Garden
• Fundraising Contact: Roberta Monahan rmonahan@wfafnj.org 908-647-4632
• Grants Contact: Suzanne Smith suzannesmith@wfafnj.org 908-647-3737

Administrative Assistant

• Responsible for taking and typing minutes for two monthly meetings.
• Clerical duties to include filing and record keeping
• Various other office duties
• Contact: Suzanne Smith suzannesmith@wfafnj.org 908-647-3737

Media, Community Outreach and Public Relations Committee

• Communications is a burgeoning enterprise at the Arboretum, which includes our monthly newsletter, press mentions, lecture series' and website communications
• Can you write feature articles or notices for publication? Would you like to contribute to the Arboretum newsletter? Get out word of our events and activities? Donate your expertise by giving a brief lecture about a topic such as composting, pruning, butterfly gardening or environmental conservation?
• Would you like to be the web master for our website?
• This is a great way to donate time on your own schedule, especially if your skills include editing, writing, public speaking or marketing
• Contact: Robin Dutta rdutta@wfafnj.org 908-672-8426

Learning Center & Gardens Committee

• In addition to cultivating organic vegetables and a community of committed gardeners, Wagner Farm Arboretum is offering nourishment to the area residents through classes focused on inner development including: yoga, meditation, and drawing. If you have an idea for a class or would like to be an instructor, please contact us
• Contact: Robin Dutta rdutta@wfafnj.org 908-672-8426

Organic Gardening Committee

• This is an opportunity that is evolving. If you are knowledgeable about gardening without pesticides, if you would like to share your experience, if you have ideas about how to encourage beneficial insects and discourage the destructive ones, or if you are interested in finding out more, let us know if you want to be part of this effort
• Contact: Keith Cooper keithcooper@wfafnj.org 908.322.8323

Arboretum Plant Sale

• The Plant Sale is a three-day event, held the weekend after Mothers’ Day each May. Volunteer activities include everything from posting signs, to carrying plants, to assisting customers and collecting payments
• A half a day (or more if you’re inclined) of volunteering during the plant sale puts you in touch with lots of enthusiastic gardeners. These volunteers usually love the access to flower and vegetable seedlings, ornamentals and hanging baskets right off the truck
• Contact: Karen Manner karenmanner@wfafnj.org 732-302-0539

Spring Boutique

• Conducted the same weekend as the Plant Sale, the Spring Boutique features gift items and artwork by numerous local crafters, troops and school children, with profits benefiting The Arboretum
• Volunteers tend the displays in the shed near the plant sale and in the office (what used to be the Wagner Farm’s store). Assisting customers with their choices and collecting their payments are the principal activities.
• You can volunteer as few or as many hourly shifts as you like.
• Contact: Roberta Monahan: rmonahan@wfafnj.org 908-647-4632

Holiday Boutique

• Held at the Arboretum's store over weekends in November and December (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), many seasonal and gift items made by local artisans and crafters are available for sale. Volunteers are responsible for assisting customers with purchases and collecting payment.
• Presently all spaces for vendors in the 2009 Holiday Boutique have been reserved, but please contact us if you wish to join us for the Spring Boutique or other future fundraisers.
• You can volunteer as many or as few hourly shifts as you like. Past Boutique volunteers have said they met some really nice people and renewed local friendships while tending the store.
• Contact: Carol Senff csenff@wfafnj.org 908-647-2894

Special Projects

• "Jacks-of-all trades" volunteers can work with George Druffner, our Special Projects Manager, who is responsible for all sorts of jobs, from tightening bolts on wheel barrows to maintaining the water system
• Contact: Keith Cooper keithcooper@wfafnj.org 908-322-8323

For Wagner Farm Arboretum Foundation Inc: