The gardens need you!
Once a week or once a season, extra hands in a Tuscaloosa school garden turn a plot of soil into a classroom. Students plant, taste, measure, and wonder — and they notice when the community shows up beside them.
Our gardens grow because our community shows up. Each year, about 170 volunteers help us weed, plant, build beds, harvest, and clean up debris. College students, local businesses, community groups, and neighbors all lend a hand. No green thumb needed, just a willingness to get a little dirty.
We welcome individuals, groups, and corporate teams. Fill out the form below and we will find the right fit for you!
Ways to Volunteer
Assist a Garden Educator during weekly K–5 lessons. You might help a small group count seed packet, or take a group on a tour of the garden, or sit with students while they taste something they grew. This is the heartbeat of the program — same schools, same kids, week after week.
Garden Lesson Partners
Good fit if: you like children, can commit to a regular morning or afternoon during the school year or semester, and can complete a background check.
Garden-Tending Days
Between lessons and seasons, the gardens still need weeding, mulching, planting, and harvesting. Come on your own or with a couple friends. These hours are flexible with your schedule. You would check-in with a staff member to find out what needs completing in the garden space. With your help we can keep the outdoor classroom ready for the next class.
Good fit if: you want outdoor work, have a flexible schedule, self-motivated, and can complete a background check.
Bring a group
College classes, civic clubs, and workplace teams have already volunteered in our gardens.
Do you have a group of 5-25 people who would like to help? This is the help we need. During the year we have larger projects that take more hands to complete. We would schedule a two-hour block on a Saturday morning or a two-hour block during the week. No skills needed, our staff will be there with supplies and knowledge of the projects. Tell us the size of your group (5-25 people), and a date window. We will match you to a school and a project.
Who is ready to help?
Sign up below!
Ready to help
Tell us a little about yourself. A staff member will follow up with next steps — usually a short welcome note, background check instructions if you will be with students, and the next dates that match what you chose.
Can’t give time this season? Donate so the beds, tools, and weekly lessons stay in place.