Small Farm & Food Fest 2026: Program Assistant

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Program Assistant volunteers at Small Farm & Food Fest work alongside staff and Historic Interpreter volunteers at interactive demonstration and informational stations, helping visitors connect with hands-on activities and discover traditional skills. Whether you have experience with gardening, canning, textiles, or another related craft, your knowledge can inspire curiosity and create memorable experiences for guests of all ages. Volunteers will help demonstrations run smoothly, answer questions, encourage participation, and add their talents and experience to the day's activities. While you won't serve as a Historic Interpreter, you'll play an important role in making the event engaging, educational, and fun for everyone.
No period clothing is required—just a willingness to share your skills, interact with visitors, and help create an unforgettable day at Carriage Hill Historic Farm!

Impact

Volunteers will be demonstrating skills they have in modern times that were also popular in the 1880s, and help visitors make a stronger connection to Carriage Hill and experience life on an 1880s working farm. This opportunity will allow people to enjoy an experience at the historic farm, learn more about the various stations, and get a personal introduction to life on the farm.

Tasks

• Assist the staff lead or work with other volunteers during the event to create a better learning environment for the interactive stations.
• Engaging participants and families in the activities on the farm during this day-long program

• Stations for the event will be throughout the Historic House and Farm, and volunteers will be matched based on interest and experience with the topic. Stations include: 
  • Heirloom Vegetable Display/Heirloom Garden at the Heirloom/Kitchen Garden-Interpreting the vegetable display and discussing heirloom vegetables/gardening. Passing out free seeds.  
    • Review additional information:  Heirloom Vegetables and Heirloom Garden
  • Equipment and Technology of the 1880s: Interpreting the various tools, equipment, and unique impliments used during this time period.  The telegraph office is back this year, and will be at this stations.
  • Canned Goods Display/Canning + Preservation Information: at the Daniel Arnold House Yard-Interpreting the canned goods display for the fair and discussing modern canning methods with participants.
    • Review additional information:  History of Canning, Hot Water Bath Canning, and Ball Canning
  • Textile Tent/Hands-on Demonstration: at the Daniel Arnold House, Interpreting a textile display for the fair and engaging the public in textile-related skills, including Hand sewing, basic knitting, and spinning.
• Steam Engine Corn Demonstration: Volunteers will be distributing the freshly steamed corn, getting it buttery, and letting participants know how to dispose of the cob.
• Coverage for various stations and volunteer breaks as needed

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individual, long-term, and short-term volunteers, ages 16 and up.  

• GET STARTED: This opportunity requires Volunteer Onboarding (Profile, Volunteer Handbook Signature), and for those 18 and up, an eligible background check.  Simply click the blue RESPOND button to begin completing the required qualifications, or click here to learn more about becoming a volunteer. 

• This opportunity is approved for OSU Master Gardener service.

Additional Notes

• Parking & Meeting Instructions: Volunteers Check In at the Visitor Center, and then walk the path to the Historic Farm and meet the staff lead. Click here for a map of Carriage Hill MetroPark.  Volunteers arrive 15 minutes before the beginning of the program for the first shift, and there will be an overlap of 15 minutes for the 2nd shift. Staff leads will orient volunteers to the day's agenda, review specific stations, and provide other important information.
• Environment & Physical Demands: This opportunity takes place primarily outdoors. Volunteers may participate in some bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting objects 5 lbs or more. Be mindful of seasonal conditions, heat/humidity (sun, insects, allergies) and be prepared. Volunteers who respond should have some experience with one or more of the stations listed.
• Dress: Period apparel is NOT required. Volunteers should dress for the weather. Please wear your volunteer name badge, and volunteer apparel. Volunteer vests will also be available at check-in.
•  Visit the Historic Interpreter page in our Training Library to see what training is required to become part of the Historic Interpreter volunteers.




Learn more about Programming opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.

Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider this opportunity:

Shadow Experience: Historic Interpreter

All Program Support