We have a wonderful group of Farm Volunteers (WWOOFers), who live with us and work alongside our farm staff for 2 weeks or more. If you’re interested in volunteering with us, please email volunteers@sylvestermanor.org with “Sylvester Manor WWOOFING/Volunteering” in the subject line. Please include a brief description of your farming experience, why you are interested in Sylvester Manor Educational Farm and the timeframe you are available for.
New to the idea of WWOOFing? Read about it Here!
A little bit about volunteering with us:
We are an organic vegetable farm located at Sylvester Manor, a history-rich former plantation on Shelter Island, NY (between Long Island’s north and south forks). At Sylvester Manor we explore the intersection of community, food, culture, and place. We operate a 125-subscriber CSA and a seasonal farmstand, participate in the island’s farmer’s market, and provide produce to several local restaurants and markets.
Volunteers will be asked to help out in all aspects of our operation (seeding, bed preparation, transplanting, weeding, harvesting, washing, packing, animal care, construction projects, value-added product production, farmstand and farmer’s market work, farm-based education etc.). We do ask that volunteers work with the crew 32 hours per week, roughly four 8-hour days per week. The work is hard, but also highly educational and rewarding.
Volunteers need not have farm experience, but must be enthusiastic about farming, food, and music. We ask a minimum 2-week commitment and prefer at least one month. The highest need for volunteers is April through the end of October, but occasionally we accept volunteers during months outside this time frame. Amenities such as outdoor hot-water shower, sink, toilet, and communal kitchen facilities will be provided, occasionally we can also provide accommodations but can only guarantee a tent space amongst other tenting volunteers. Evening and weekend activities include fishing, swimming (sandy beaches located within 1 mile), canoeing, and music making.
Public transportation is extremely easy from Manhattan, Boston, New London, CT to Greenport, NY; which is just a short ferry-ride away from Shelter Island. During the week, we share all meals and rotate cooking responsibilities. Vegetarian diets are easily accommodated. Children/pets not preferred.
