Volunteering at the Farm
To learn more about volunteering or become a volunteer attend one of our New Docent Orientations (held twice a year- dates announced in the Recreation Guide) or contact the Farm: (925) 973 - 3284, foresthomefarms@sanramon.ca.gov.
Forest Home Farms Historic Park strives to connect the past and present through educational opportunities, and the dedicated volunteers and docents help make these connections possible!
All volunteers must first complete an application through our City Lights Volunteer Program.
There are many ways to get involved as a volunteer or docent:
Docent Roles:
Each year over 2,000 students and 8,000 visitors enjoy the farm's field trip and public programs. All of these wonderfully enriching programs are made possible only with the help of our docent volunteers. Schedules vary based on role. No experience necessary, just a love of history and teaching.
Farm Life Education: Weekdays between 8:30 am - 12:00 pm Farm docents assume roles like "Farmer" and "Canner" to lead students through hands-on activities such as sock darning, canning, and corn planting.
Victorian Life Education: Weekdays 9:00 am - 11:00 am; Saturdays 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm. Victorian docents dress in period inspired clothing and give tours of the Glass House Museum. Interactive activities include Victorian chores, games, and etiquette.
Transitional Kindergarten and Group Tours: TK Tours: Mondays 8:30 am - 2:00 pm. Group Tours Variable schedules: Mondays - Saturdays between 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. Docents lead activities that engage all five senses, including tastings, storytelling, crafts, gardening, natural history, and nature connection.
Saturday Programs: Saturdays 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. Saturday Volunteers assist staff with Fun on the Farm programs. This is a great volunteer role for people who love crafting, heritage skills, and working with the public. Also suitable for teens who need volunteer hours for school.
Garden
Garden Volunteers do a variety of activities throughout the year to maintain the organic demonstration garden. Garden volunteer schedules are flexible. It is possible to come during the week or on Saturdays, weekly or monthly.
Tractor/Workshop
Most of the engines in the Tractor Musuem still run thanks to a dedicated team of volunteers that restores and maintains the museum's antique tractor collection. Workshop volunteers are able to do a variety of projects around the farm like building signs and props for the museum and educational programs, maintaining the tractor collection, driving the tractors in parades, giving tractor rides during special events, and using the tractors to maintain the sheep pasture. No previous mechanical experience is necessary, just a desire to learn. With the exception of building projects and special events, the Tractor Volunteer team generally meets on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays between 9 am - 2 pm. However, more flexible schedules are possible.
Animals
Sheep, chickens, ducks, and a horse make up the farm animal population and the resident Shepherdess, Patsy, welcomes volunteers that would like to aid in their daily care. Farm animal volunteers must be 18 or older (rare exceptions made for 4-H, FAA, or other responsible youth who have a dedicated adult that can accompany them) and be available to come on a weekly basis for a set feeding and care shift in either the mornings or evenings any day of the week.
(Clicking on the images below will open a PDF version of Forest Home Farm's Volunteer Brochure)
