Volunteer at Rise Up Community Farm

My experience at Rise Up Community Farm was really enjoyable and meaningful for me.

Waking up early in the morning was a little difficult, but once I arrived, I felt really good. It was a great way to clear my mind and take a break from my busy schedule. I have always enjoyed early morning activities, and this experience was especially refreshing.

It was my first time volunteering at a farm in the United States, which made it even more special.

During my four hours there, I helped with several gardening tasks. I harvested plants by cutting their branches and collecting them in baskets. I also removed weeds, loosened the soil, and spread fertilizer. We worked together to organize the garden and complete the daily tasks.

Everyone there was very kind, friendly, and welcoming. People were always smiling, helping each other, and thanking one another. I also met new people, including a classmate and volunteers from other schools.

I asked about the purpose of the farm and learned that the food is donated to people in need. I was told that around 500 people attend Sunday gatherings at a local church, and the farm provides food to people in the community through these gatherings. People in need can also come directly to the farm and receive food without paying anything. Learning this made the experience even more meaningful to me.

I have been familiar with this kind of physical work since childhood, so I already understand how challenging it can be. However, this experience reminded me again of the importance of respecting everyone's hard work and treating people with kindness.

In my future career, especially when working in teams or taking on leadership responsibilities, I want to remember these values. I believe a good leader should appreciate everyone's contributions, respect their efforts, and create a positive environment where people feel valued.

Overall, this experience helped me relax mentally, meet new people, and contribute to the community. I'm truly thankful for this opportunity and for being encouraged to try something new.

I had a great time at rise up and will definitely come back!

I had a wonderful time volunteering with Rise Up Community Farm. I spent time with other volunteers weeding asparagus and wildflower beds, trimming overgrown areas, and laying weed fabric in between beds. This work was very rewarding, and it felt great to see the visual progress we made after clearing all of the weeds from the beds we worked on. Working alongside the other volunteers made the experience fun and collaborative. There were five other volunteers alongside me, and together we were able to efficiently complete each task we started while chatting and getting to know each other. Working at the community farm felt particularly rewarding for me because I grew up gardening with my mother and now keep a garden of my own. Working outside to produce food has always been something I have enjoyed, and I was especially happy to be doing so to support Rise Up Community Farm’s mission. While working, I learned that the community farm grows produce to serve House of Mercy Food Pantry and to combat food insecurity in New Hanover County more broadly. The farm also provides a space for community members to learn about cultivating food crops, which I really appreciate because of my own passion for gardening. I think that volunteering is an important part of professional development that builds skills that support people throughout their lives. It was a privilege to serve the community while doing something that I love. Thank you, Rise Up Community Farm!

During my time volunteering at Rise Up Community Farm, I helped with several tasks around the farm. I started by using a sickle to cut down weeds, then moved on to pulling apart and removing weeds that were growing around the asparagus plants. After that, I helped wash seed trays so they would be ready for future use. I had never done any gardening before, so these were all new experiences for me.

I volunteered alongside a couple other students, and we worked together to clean up the area where the asparagus was growing. There were also two employees helping us and giving instructions. Everyone worked well together, and having someone explain what needed to be done made the process easier. Since most of us were unfamiliar with the work, having clear directions helped us stay organized and complete our tasks.

This experience connected to my values of teamwork, responsibility, and helping others. Although gardening isn't something I've done before, I enjoyed trying something new and knowing that my work was contributing to a good cause. I also appreciated that even simple tasks like removing weeds and cleaning trays could help the farm operate more efficiently. It reminded me that every task has a purpose, even if it seems small.

I learned that Rise Up Community Farm grows chemical-free produce that are donated to local food pantries. The farm also provides students with opportunities to volunteer and contribute to the community. One thing that surprised me was how small the farm was compared to what I expected. Despite its size, the area was well maintained, and it was interesting to see how the space was being used to support people in the community. It showed me that an organization doesn't have to be large to make a positive impact.

This experience helped me understand the importance of leadership and communication, especially when working with people who are unfamiliar with a task. Since I had never worked on a farm before, I relied on the employees in charge to explain what to do and how to do it. Their guidance helped me feel more comfortable with the work and understand what was expected of me. I think this applies to business because effective leaders need to provide clear instructions and support their team members. As someone pursuing a career in accounting, I know there will be situations where I need guidance when learning something new or where I may eventually need to help others. This experience reinforced how important teamwork and good leadership are in any workplace.

It was a really fun and educational experience, and I would love the opportunity to do it again. I enjoyed learning about different kinds of plants, getting my hands dirty, and meeting so many amazing new people. There was always something for me to work on, so I never felt bored or like I was wasting time. Everyone was welcoming, supportive, and willing to help me learn new things and improve my skills. Whenever I needed guidance, there was always someone available to answer my questions and show me a better way to do something. Overall, it was a great experience that allowed me to learn, work with others, and step outside my comfort zone. I really appreciated the positive environment and the opportunity to be part of something meaningful. It made me realize how much I enjoy hands-on activities and learning new things, and I would definitely recommend this experience to others.