Volunteering at Farm Sanctuary
Volunteers have been an integral part of the Farm Sanctuary team since we began back in 1986, and are key contributors to our success. Volunteers help us carry out our mission by improving the lives of farm animals, inspiring change in the way society views and treats farm animals, and promoting compassionate vegan living.
Volunteer Opportunities
On-Site Opportunities
We offer a variety of volunteer positions at our sanctuaries in Watkins Glen, NY and Los Angeles, CA, including farm chores, visitor program & event assistance, and community outreach.
Opportunities vary depending on the time of year and the needs of our team. Both sanctuaries offer monthly support parties and private group support parties. Please see further details below.
The minimum age for volunteering is 13. All minors (ages 13-17) must also be accompanied by a parent or guardian, and some activity restrictions apply.
Remote Opportunities
Take action with Farm Sanctuary for animals, people, and the planet! Join our nationwide community working together to build the good for all of us.
Our Volunteer Opportunities
Monthly support parties provide compassionate folks with a fun, positive opportunity to meet new friends, pitch in with chores and projects, spend time with rescued farm animals, and learn more about our sanctuaries and efforts to protect animals from abuse.
All support party days are devoted to activities that help us operate our sanctuaries and contribute to the success of our education and advocacy programs. Farm chores and projects generally include activities such as barn cleaning and grounds maintenance projects. Support party chores are not glamorous and may be physically demanding and/or repetitious; however, every task assists us with carrying out our daily mission of rescuing, protecting, and caring for farm animals in need. Monthly chores and projects are determined immediately prior to the work party according to our greatest and most timely needs.
Support parties include volunteering time, an optional vegan potluck lunch and a sanctuary tour.
Volunteers must be 18 years or older to participate.
Need a place to stay while volunteering in Watkins Glen? Please click here to learn more about the Bed & Breakfast at our NY Sanctuary.
Monthly support parties provide compassionate folks with a fun, positive opportunity to meet new friends, pitch in with chores and projects, spend time with rescued farm animals, and learn more about our sanctuaries and efforts to protect animals from abuse.
All support party days are devoted to activities that help us operate our sanctuaries and contribute to the success of our education and advocacy programs. Farm chores and projects generally include activities such as barn cleaning and grounds maintenance projects. Support party chores are not glamorous and may be physically demanding and/or repetitious; however, every task assists us with carrying out our daily mission of rescuing, protecting, and caring for farm animals in need. Monthly chores and projects are determined immediately prior to the work party according to our greatest and most timely needs.
Support parties include volunteering time, an optional vegan potluck lunch and a sanctuary tour.
Volunteers must be 18 years or older to participate.
Need a place to stay while volunteering in Watkins Glen? Please click here to learn more about the Bed & Breakfast at our NY Sanctuary.
Private Group support parties include volunteering time and a sanctuary tour; for groups able to commit to a longer day, you are welcome to bring a vegan lunch as well. Support party chores and projects are determined according to our greatest and most timely needs. Farm chores and projects may include activities such as shelter maintenance and beautification (e.g., cleaning, raking, painting, and gardening). Support party chores are not glamorous and may be physically demanding and/or repetitious; however, every task assists us with carrying out our daily mission of rescuing, protecting, and caring for farm animals in need.
Minimum time commitments and private group work party availability vary by location and time of year. To inquire about opportunities for your group, please contact our Volunteer Program Department at [email protected].
Volunteers must be 18 years or older to participate.
Our advocacy team needs your help. Changing food systems to work for everyone – animals, people, and the planet – requires everyone! Join our forthcoming Community Action Program to get involved in community, state, or federal changemaking. Whether it’s removing the plant-milk tax at your local coffee shop or transforming federal Farm Bill policies, each shift to the food system leads to less harm: fewer Greenhouse Gas emissions and gallons of water wasted, fewer workers harmed and family farms put out of business, and fewer animals in factory farms. Sign up to join our volunteer Community Action network today!
And for youth ages 13-18 who are interested in creating a more just, sustainable, and compassionate food system, our Youth Leadership Council provides a chance to connect with like-minded student peers from across the country.
Volunteers interested in a regular volunteer opportunity that is public facing have an opportunity to assist our Experience team on public tour days. They assist with communicating with guests, set up, registration, tour assist, break down, and any other projects related to our visitor program. Given that volunteers in this program will articulate Farm Sanctuary’s mission to promote a compassionate vegan lifestyle, we require that volunteers in this role be vegan themselves.
Volunteers are an integral part of making Farm Sanctuary events successful!! Volunteers work in a variety of areas including event setup and breakdown, guest check in and greeting, wayfinding, catering assistance and much more! If you have a can do attitude and enjoy being around people, event volunteering might be for you!