Upcoming opportunities for Docents include Garden Docent and Farm Animal Docent. Yes, you can sign up for both if you have the time and interest! If you are an experienced beekeeper looking to regularly volunteer, please let us know!

Docents positions require a minimum 1-year commitment.

GARDEN DOCENT PROGRAM:

This Docent position is for individuals interested in performing general gardening practices outdoors who are enthusiastic about plants, communicate well with staff and the public, and don’t mind repetitive tasks like weeding (sometimes for extended periods of time).

Garden Docents assist with the care of our main garden and additional garden areas throughout the ranch. They help grow and maintain plants, as well as inform visitors about the plants and answer casual inquiries. Docents are primarily working outdoors. With staff supervision, docents prepare planting beds, plant, weed, prune and deadhead, water and harvest. 

Docents should be willing and able to:

• Perform general gardening chores including pruning, planting, weeding, deadheading, watering, and harvesting, repotting, propagation, etc.

• Scout for pests to record pest populations and notify staff of pest presence.

• Work in all weather conditions common along the California coast (hot, cold, wet, foggy, windy, etc…) 

• Stoop, bend, and stand for long periods

• Answer occasional visitor inquiries about gardening and plants

• Identify plants or learn plant identification skills

• Lift 30+ lbs. (not necessary but a plus)

• Assisting with ongoing inventory work

• Adhere to principles and procedures outlined by Slide Ranch staff, especially pertaining to record keeping and organic certification.

REQUIRED SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Garden Docents must be able to follow directions and pay close attention to detail when performing assigned tasks. Docents must be willing to learn and adapt to specific procedures for garden beds, planting schedules, watering, harvesting… Good communication skills are required. Docents may have occasional volunteers in the garden supporting their tasks. Additional Requirements & training details.

FARM ANIMAL DOCENT PROGRAM:

This Docent position is for individuals interested in supporting the care and maintenance of our farm animals and providing interpretation about our farm animals during Family Farm Days and other Slide Ranch events. Farm animals include our goats, sheep, chickens, and ducks. Farm animal docents should be enthusiastic about the safety and care of all of our farm animals and communicate well with staff and the public.

Farm Animal docents will learn chores related to our barn and coops. They help inform visitors about the animals and answer casual inquiries. Docents are primarily working outdoors and generally will be with Slide Ranch staff if working directly on an animal related chore. Docents may be unattended by Slide Ranch staff during Family Farm days if their sole task is interpretation and interaction with the public.

Docents should be willing and able to:

• Perform general animal care chores including mucking coops or barn areas, feeding chickens, ducks, goats, and sheep, changing out waters, and supporting overall maintenance of animal enclosures. Care and maintenance of our honeybee hives is optional for those interested or with experience in this area.  

• Work in all weather conditions common along the California coast (hot, cold, wet, foggy, windy, etc…) 

• Stoop, bend, and stand for long periods

• Lift 40+ lbs and be comfortable using shovels or pitch forks.

• Move/herd large animals as needed

• Notify staff of any abnormalities/concerns with any of the animals.

• Answer occasional visitor inquiries about the animals, especially on Family Farm Days.

• Adhere to principles and procedures outlined by Slide Ranch staff, especially pertaining to record keeping and animal care routines.

REQUIRED SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Farm Animal volunteers must be able to follow directions and pay close attention to detail when performing assigned tasks. Volunteers must be willing to learn and adapt to specific procedures for each animal, some of which will change seasonally and depending on the needs of our herd or flock. Good communication skills are required. Additional Requirements & training details.