Frequently Asked Questions
What is the commitment to volunteer?
We ask our volunteers to commit to 1.5-3 hours weekly shift, preferably with the same clients each week. If you are unable to commit to weekly volunteering, or want to volunteer for additional time outside of your weekly shift, we encourage you to volunteer as a substitute. Substitute volunteers are contacted via email weekly and scheduled as needed based on their availability.
What are the requirements to volunteer?
You do not need any previous experience working with horses or people with disabilities to volunteer at Ironstone Farm. All new volunteers attend a training workshop prior to their first time volunteering. Additional training workshops for other volunteer positions will be offered throughout the year.
Class volunteers (leaders and side walkers) should be able to walk for at least one hour without fatiguing, be able to jog for very short distances, walk with their arm (one at a time) above shoulder height, and be able to support a moderate amount of weight.
When do you need volunteers?
Every day! Ironstone Farm is open Monday through Saturday and our needs depend on the clients' schedules and our daily requirements. The earliest time we need a volunteer is 9:15 a.m. and the latest tends to be early evening. When completing the volunteer application and schedule, please be as specific as you can be about your availability.
We often need volunteers for special events and projects around the farm. We also host corporate volunteer opportunities and service group opportunities.
What other volunteer opportunities are there at Ironstone Farm?
Volunteering at Ironstone Farm can lead to opportunities in the following areas: participating in our feeding program; working student program (for teens); and apprentice program (to become a licensed riding instructor in Massachusetts). To be considered for these programs you must attend a volunteer training workshop.
If working around horses is not for you, we have opportunities working in the Welcome Center meeting and greeting clients, as well as volunteering or attending special events.
CORPORATE VOLUNTEER GROUPS
Ironstone Farm welcomes corporate volunteer group outings. Tasks for these volunteer opportunities can include painting, fixing fences, raking and grounds maintenance, cleaning, building shelters for our animals, and helping with the renovation of our Farmhouse Retreat Center.