Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Coldwater Gardens!

Coldwater Gardens is a sustainable agritourism farm working for the health of our community and environment as well as an Eco-friendly retreat with many diverse activities. Through sustainable farming practices we promote fresh and local food, support watershed and environmental stewardship, and provide environmental and agricultural education. We cultivate organic foods, demonstrate sustainable living, and provide educational resources on agriculture and the environment for current and future generations.

The land is composed of 352 acres of rolling timber and wetland forest with almost two miles of meandering creek frontage speckled by white sandbars. We approach land management as stewards who protect the untouched regions and restore the timbered areas. Some areas are being converted to organic permaculture gardens with the aim of creating rich soil from otherwise sandy terrain. Volunteers will have opportunities to learn countless lifelong skills including but not limited to organic gardening, hardwood log mushroom cultivation, trail building for hiking and mountain biking, forest management, aquaculture, compost creation, primitive campsite development and endless arts and crafts. For leisure enjoy the sandbars, or hike the many trails through the forest. Sleep under the stars or swing on a hammock.

Our accommodations include large canvas tents with all the basic necessities. We have clean water, electric and modern composting toilets. There are plans for a cob oven, and we have plenty of stoves, grills, and kitchen equipment. Bathe in the creek or in our hot shower. The farm has 6 employees who work weekdays. Two employees live on the property full-time. We will provide 2 nutritious meals per work-day, prepared family-style and a small stipend to compliment food from the gardens on weekends. Volunteers should have their own transportation, but pick-up from the Greyhound station or airport can be arranged. Pets are not allowed. We reserve the right to ask you to leave if you do not comply with our basic rules of decent living. If you litter, are violent, use illicit drugs or show no interest in working 5-7 hours per day then this isn’t the place for you. We work hard, but make plenty of time for enjoying the richness of nature and community.

For more information, visit our Volunteer Hub!