A Moment of Appreciation for our Volunteers

It was a chilly windswept afternoon, and the rain had begun falling in a fine mist. The soil of the Urban Roots garden site I found myself at was still emanating cold from the long winter, but it was already time to launch into preparations for the growing season. There was quack grass to remove from the fenceline, micro-weeds to remove from the soil with stirrup hoes, and trash to be cleaned up brought in by run-off from the melting snow. This is a herculean task for our farm team each year, aided by the youth in the Market Garden team of course. But alone and cold, this task would have been a miserable chore. Instead, it was going to be a chance for connection between teammates at Whole Foods Market-Woodbury, facilitated by the soil and the desire to do something worthwhile in a time where meaning can be hard to find. Sixteen volunteers from Whole Foods trickled in and launched into the work with gusto. This was an opportunity for them to talk with co-workers they had only seen in passing, creating a sense of community identity while tearing out the spring weeds.

Volunteering at Urban Roots is a straightforward affair, as there is always something that needs doing. Two of our programs, Market Garden and Conservation, host groups of volunteers just about every week during the growing season. In Market Garden, we also host Farm Fridays, a day for individual community volunteers to come together and help our various farm sites thrive! Whatever the opportunity, the day itself will look pretty similar. As the group gathers, we will do introductions with a stretch circle. This practice of preparation together helps get our bodies ready for the work ahead. Then, the Urban Roots staff member leading the volunteer shift will talk a little bit about what Urban Roots does and give a tour of the farm or restoration site. There are many farm sites and restoration sites that we tend to around the East Side of Saint Paul, so repeat groups may see a totally new side of Urban Roots each time! This tour is a time for volunteers to start to develop place-based identity with this little neighborhood of the Twin Cities, to build bonds amongst their team, and to ask questions! After a quick tour, the real work of the day begins as we launch into whatever project needs doing that day, guided by the expert hands of one of the Urban Roots staff members. 

Everyone comes to a volunteer shift with Urban Roots with different experiences and goals. For some, an annual volunteer shift with Urban Roots is a learning opportunity, a time to grow a skill that they’d like to work on! Brennetta H., from Mortenson Construction, says “I am not much of a gardener, so I truly utilize these efforts to learn but also support a good cause.” The cause and the mission are important as well! Lavelle, also from Mortenson Construction, says “Urban Roots has an awesome mission, vision, and values. It was great to volunteer with an awesome team on a beautiful day. I am thankful for the opportunity to support this incredible work and get to know everyone that participated.” Team bonding, community empowerment, skill building, and getting outside in a wondrous neighborhood are just a few of the reasons I hear from folks to volunteer with Urban Roots, or any other organization on the East Side for that matter! 

You are an impact upon every person, every community, and every place that you interact with. Whether you are volunteering with us at Urban Roots, or another organization here on the East Side, you are creating strength and community resilience. By giving time and effort, you are a living embodiment of the mutual aid that our community needs, and that you yourself need. To learn more about volunteering with Urban Roots, or to join our Community Volunteer mailing list, visit https://urbanrootsmn.org/volunteer/. I’d like to thank every single person reading this for their time and dedication to the East Side of Saint Paul, and I hope to see you out on the farm and in the community this coming season.

~ Gene Raven, Market Garden Outreach Coordinator