Environmental Education

Veggielution has worked to create vibrant spaces for outdoor exploration and discovery for all ages. Our Environmental Education team will have volunteer opportunities in the Youth Garden, throughout the farm, and in SoFA Pocket Park. Projects vary from week to week and through the seasons. Some activities may include weeding, watering, planting seeds, and composting. Sign-up below under the “Where can I sign-up” section by clicking the “Volunteer Registration” button.

SoFA Pocket Park

We have expanded our presence in East San José to transform an underutilized lot in the downtown art district into an urban demonstration garden, farm stand, dog park, and mobile food vending hub. It features murals painted by local artists, and programs and events designed in collaboration with nearby arts organizations to actively engage local residents, schools, nonprofits, and businesses. There are volunteer opportunities here to help maintain our demonstration garden and to help out with events! Sign-up below under the “Where can I sign-up” section by clicking the “Volunteer Registration” button.

Eastside Connect

On the first Saturday of every month, Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition (SVBC) has helped deliver farm boxes by bike to families across East San Jose. Come on out to the farm as we all work together to build an alternative and more just food and transportation system. Sign up on SVBC’s website to deliver farm boxes or ride along!

Eastside Grown

Eastside Grown is a free educational program for food entrepreneurs that provides Fellows with training and resources to start their small business and to increase their social connection, knowledge, and economic mobility.

As part of their training the Fellows will assist with Veggielution Cocina, a community-led cooking class done on the first Saturday of each month. East San Jose-based chefs lead volunteers in cooking seasonally-centered, culturally relevant recipes.

Sign-up below under the “Where can I sign-up” section by clicking the “Volunteer Registration” button.

Signing up individually?

For farm volunteering, Environmental Education, Eastside Connect, and Eastside Grown you can sign up by clicking the button below! Volunteer opportunities vary from week to week.

Volunteers must be aged 13 or older to volunteer in the farm fields. Middle and High School students, ages 13 to 17, MUST be accompanied by a parent/guardian/chaperone.

Be a part of Cocina, our hands-on cooking class! During the class you will become part of our kitchen crew, learning basic food safety and preparation skills, as well as new recipes from our community chef. As the culmination of the class, the food is served (free of charge) to all guests of the 1st Saturday event. Register below!

You can also volunteer to deliver a farm box by bike! We are partnered with the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition to distribute fresh produce to low-income East San José residents. Sign up to volunteer by clicking the button below!

Signing up as a group?

Groups are ideally 11 or more people. There is a fee associated with group volunteers, but we are open to discussing discounts. If you’re interested in bringing your group to volunteer, please complete the group volunteer interest form 6 weeks in advance from the desired volunteer date. Someone will reach out to you within 2 weeks to discuss your request. 

Do you need volunteer hours?

If you require Veggielution Staff to sign-off on volunteer hours, YOU MUST PROVIDE YOUR OWN FORM OR LETTER. Veggielution staff will only sign-off on hours if a form is provided.

Volunteering Outdoors

In order to volunteer at any Veggielution outdoor facilities, volunteers of all ages must be able to sign a waiver and provide proof of full vaccination if requested.

COVID-19 update: Volunteers working with food in indoor facilities are required to be fully vaccinated. All volunteers must be able to sign a waiver and provide proof of full vaccination if requested. If you are sick, please cancel your volunteer sign-up. Any volunteer that is showing signs of illness will be asked to leave and return when well.

Volunteering Indoors

When volunteering indoors or within close proximity to others (within 6 feet), masks are suggested. We strongly suggest wearing KN95 masks or surgical masks paired with cloth masks. Masks are available if requested.

COVID-19 update: Volunteers working with food in indoor facilities are required to be fully vaccinated. All volunteers must be able to sign a waiver and provide proof of full vaccination if requested. If you are sick, please cancel your volunteer sign-up. Any volunteer that is showing signs of illness will be asked to leave and return when well.