Franklin Farm

Congratulations To Lafayette Lodge Masons

2024 Silver Trowell Volunteer Award

for their Dedication and Support of the Community Garden for over 16 years!

Franklin Farm is Fueled by Volunteers!

As a volunteer, you are a valued member of our community which enables Franklin Farm to accomplish great things. During the year, volunteers plan events, harvest vegetables, photograph, organize and do a variety of activities according to each volunteer's interest.

Where do you shine?

Admin

We need volunteers to help with office work, such as grant writing, working on press releases, newsletters, and other administrative tasks. If getting your hands dirty on the farm isn’t your jam, or you aren’t local to us, that’s okay because we’d love support with the administrative side of things, including remote volunteering opportunities.

Fix-it Crew (aka Grounds Crew)

There are always maintenance and repair jobs to be done around the farm. If you are handy with tools, consider joining our “Fix-It Crew.” Jobs may include working on fencing, farm buildings, irrigation, and maintaining our tools.

Mowing

Mowing and weed whacking are important jobs on the farm. The mowing crew helps maintain around the historic homestead, pathways and keeps weeds from encroaching on the gardens.

Miscellaneous

Do you have a special skill to share with us? If you have an idea of how to help out that isn’t mentioned above, we’d love to hear from you. There are many ways to move our mission forward, and YOUR creativity and ideas are very welcome. Let’s talk!

Let us know where you would like to volunteer by filling out the Volunteer General Interest form. A Franklin Farm Board of Director will contact you soon with a follow up.

Email Us

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

HMFFP Association Meeting 2025

Tuesdays: April 8, June 10, August 12, October 7, December 9

Saturday,February 14, 2026

6:30- 8:00 pm

Public Safety Building, 1379 Diamond Hill Rd, Cumberland, RI 02864

Join us for our Association Meetings. Become a part of an amazing team that is working to restore, preserve, and protect the 18th- and 19th- centuries old Metcalf-Franklin Homestead and its agricultural heritage through charitable, educational, and community engagement-related activities.

Attending meetings is a great way to learn about how you get involved! All ages are welcome. No experience is necessary.

*Do you have grant writing experience or preservation experience? We would love your help! franklinfarm65@gmail.com

Spring Clean Up & Garden Prep

Saturday, May 3, 2025

9 am - 12 pm

Help us prepare the Grounds and Gardens for the 2025 Season at Franklin Farm! We will be raking, cleaning debris, preparing the garden and organizing for a summer of growing farm fresh vegetables for those experiencing food insecurity!

Come when you can leave when you must, but please let us know if you and your friends will be joining us.

All ages welcome! No experience is necessary!

Please park by the barn and check in with our Garden Greeter to see which project you can help accomplish!

We can't wait to make a difference with you!

* If you are volunteering for service hours, please bring your form with you

Community Garden

Growing for the RI Community Food Bank & Local Food Pantries

Mondays/ Thursdays May 12 - Oct 3rd

5:30 - 7:30 pm

Franklin Farm Community Garden consists of volunteers like YOU! We grow vegetables for the RI Community Food Bank and local food pantries. Each week we offer Volunteer Nights. Volunteering is a great way to get outdoors and make a difference for your neighbor experiencing food insecurity!

Volunteer Nights involve a host of different activity based to what the garden needs. From spot weeding and raking to picking and boxing vegetables, you'll become part of a team whose mission is to grow vegetables for the RI Community Food Bank and local food pantries. Please bring water & your own gloves.

No experience is necessary.

All ages are welcome. Volunteer as often as you can!

* Volunteers seeking service hours, please bring all required paperwork

PARKING: Please use the BARN Driveway to park and check in at our Welcome Table. We have a water refill station, so please bring your own water bottle.

Bringing a group of more than 15? Are you a community or scout group? Let us know you are coming, we are happy to provide an educational tour of the garden.

Let us help make a memorable experience Contact franklinfarm65@gmail.com for more information.

Community Garden Team Leader Volunteer

Mondays & Thursdays

5:15 pm- 7:45 pm

May- September

Join us for Monday & Thursday Volunteer Nights as a Team Leader Volunteer! Team Leaders warmly welcome volunteers into the garden, share the evening’s projects, and foster a positive, appreciative atmosphere. This role is perfect for those who enjoy meeting new people and is an excellent leadership opportunity for students.

We’re seeking three Team Leader Volunteers for each Monday and Thursday Volunteer Night throughout the summer.

Time commitment: 5:15 PM – 7:30 PM *Sign Up for 1 Night or Many!

Suggested age: 14+ or younger with an adult family member.

Become a Garden Greeter – No Experience Needed!

Mondays & Thursdays

5:15 pm- 7:45 pm

May- September

Garden Greeters play a vital role in creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere during Volunteer Nights. Stationed at the sign-in area, they greet volunteers, assist with sign-in and sign-out, direct them to Team Leaders, and share information about the farm. Greeters help ensure volunteers feel valued and appreciated for their time and effort.

This role is perfect for anyone who enjoys meeting new people and an excellent leadership opportunity for students. We’re looking for 1-2 volunteers for each Monday and Thursday Volunteer Nights. Sign up for 1 night or many!

Time commitment: 5:15 PM – 7:45 PM * Sign Up for 1 Night or Many!

Suggested age: 14+ or younger with an adult family member.

Harvest Festival & Tractor Show Planning Meeting

Tuesdays: May 20, June 17, July 15,

August 19, Sept 2 and Sept 16

6:30- 7:30 pm

at Franklin Farm

* Lessons Learned Oct 21 6:30- 7:30 pm Cumberland Safety Building

The Harvest Festival & Tractor Show's mission is to share the historical farm with our community and raise funds to help with our mission to restore, preserve, and protect the 18th- and 19th- centuries old Metcalf-Franklin Homestead and its agricultural heritage through charitable, educational, and community engagement-related activities. Our Harvest Festival is entirely volunteer run.

From activities, volunteer coordinating, setting up food trucks and vendors to marketing, there is something for everyone on our Planning Team! We have fun & mission focused meetings!

FESTIVAL DAY

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2025!

Volunteer the Harvest Festival & Tractor Show

Volunteer the Harvest Festival & Tractor Show

Saturday, September 27th

10 am- 4 pm

Mark your calendars for the 2024 Festival! Our Harvest Festival & Tractor Show is a fun, family friendly event run entirely by volunteers - LIKE YOU!

The festival's mission is to share the historical farm with everyone, bring our community together and raise funds for the preservation of the farm.

Volunteering is open to any person over the age of 14. Volunteers are needed for set up on Festival Day- September 27th (rain date Sept 28th)

Our engaging stations include: Market Place, Tickets Sales, Popcorn Sales, Welcoming Guests, Hayride Assistants, Kid Games, Skillet Tossing Game, and many more fun places. All volunteers will receive an official Franklin Farm Harvest Festival T-shirt.

Community Garden Breakdown

9am- Noon

1 pm - 4pm

And now its time for a breakdown......Join us as we prepare the garden for winter! Two shifts are available 9:00 am- 12:00 pm and 1 pm - 4 pm or have fun with us all day!

We will be pulling every vegetable left, pulling plants, walking material and storing tools away.

What to bring: gloves, water and snack (lunch if you are staying all day). Please park by the barn. All ages welcome, no experience necessary!

*If you are volunteering for service hours, please bring your form with you

Sign Up for the Breakdown Here