Category: Get Involved

Volunteers Needed for School Hoophouse Build

The Agrarian Adventure needs volunteers for a community hoophouse restoration at Tappan Middle School (2251 E. Stadium Blvd.)! Please join us on Saturday, April 13th between 9am-4pm for a day of action to revitalize the structure. We will be replacing wood and stretching new plastic on the hoop. More than one shift is available, and if they don’t work for you just email us at info@agrarianadventure.org to let us know. Please sign up in advance so that we can plan to provide food for everyone. This project is supported by a grant from the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North (RCAAN).

The Agrarian Adventure is Recruiting

Are you passionate about youth education, health or school gardens and agriculture? If so, consider sharing your talents as a member of The Agrarian Adventure Board of Directors. We are currently seeking to fill two board positions to complete a two year term supporting the mission of our nonprofit organization to use experiential education to connect students to the sources of their food and empower them to transform their lives and food culture in positive ways. The two open chair positions are listed below, however board members do not have to fill these specific roles and can contribute other skills collaborating on fundraising, evaluation and programs. Complete this google form by March 15th to apply. Questions can be sent to info@agrarianadventure.org.

Available roles:

Communications Chair
The Communications Chair works with staff and board members to manage The Agrarian Adventure social media, website and newsletter communications. This primarily includes use of Instagram, Facebook, Mailchimp and WordPress, but also involves working with the team to organize and store photographs of The Agrarian Adventure programs and related photo permissions. A successful candidate need not have experience on all of these platforms as they will work as a team and the programs are relatively easy to learn.

Finance Chair
The Finance Chair oversees The Agrarian Adventure expenditures and manages staff payment including receiving invoices and reimbursement requests as well as issuing checks and tax forms. This is a good position for someone who has an interest in developing these skills or someone who already has experience in finance or accounting who wants to contribute to their community.

Fundraising Team
The Agrarian Adventure board members contribute to stewardship of the organization including support of our mission and raising funds for mission-based programming. While all board members collaborate on fundraising, a small subset takes the lead by generating creative ideas, communicating with community partners and developing yearly fundraising goals and timelines.

Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdwha6WTD3iVRJLiA7hO6-wy_e3jOHLqP5Ua6bH1_BaVKpzrQ/viewform

The Agrarian Adventure is Hiring!

The Agrarian Adventure is hiring an Executive Director to start this Fall! The Executive Director will be responsible for managing The Agrarian Adventure’s education programs including Farmer in the Classroom (k-5) and Afterschool Food & Garden Club (6-8). In addition to implementing and evaluating educational programs, this position will involve volunteer coordination, garden and hoophouse maintenance, community outreach, maintaining stakeholder relationships, and supporting the board of directors in activities such as fundraising and grant writing. This is a part-time, term-limited position with opportunity for renewal. Click here for the complete job description. Interested parties should submit a resume and cover letter to info@agrarianadventure.org by August 26th.

Farmers and Food Stewards: Attend an Orientation

Are you a farmer or food steward who wants to share your knowledge of and passion for food systems with K-5 students?

What is a food steward?

A food steward is someone who is interested in or knowledgeable about food systems, but is not necessarily a farmer.

What can I teach?

Lessons everything from “parts of the plant” to permaculture. You can use one of our lessons, or you can work with our Farmer in the Classroom team to design your own lesson based on your interests.

What is the time commitment?

All farmers and food stewards are required to attend an orientation session which covers the basics of our program, and classroom management techniques. After orientation, our coordinator will be happy to work one-on-one with you (if necessary) to ensure you are prepared.

After the orientation process, the level of involvement is really up to you. You can teach one hour-long lesson per school year, or you could teach an hour-long lesson each week (we’ve never had anyone teach that much, but hey, we can dream)!

Will I be compensated? 

Farmers and food stewards are given a stipend for each classroom lesson.

Food & Garden Club Enrichment Program: Sponsor a month for $250

Butternut squash, carrot soup, and crispy kale chips are not part of the typical 7th grade afternoon snack. Since 2004 6th – 8th grade students at Tappan Middle School have met once a week to explore where their food comes from.

Students learn how to plant and harvest greens in the hoop house and schoolyard garden, cook new foods, hear from local food heroes and go on field trips. Graduates have been board members, high school youth mentors, and committed garden volunteers!

$250 will help support school coordination, lesson planning, and materials for 4 weekly club meetings.

Join us! Please become a program sponsor by donating online using the secure PayPal button below.

For more information contact us.




Farmer in the Classroom Program: Sponsor a month for $250

We connect over 850 Ann Arbor K-5 students to the sources of their food by bringing local farmers to classrooms each year. The program helps students eat more fruits and vegetables, and increases their awareness of local agriculture, food, and farms, thanks to generous contributions of local farmers, professional volunteers, and the support of partners of the AAPS Farm-to-School Collaboration.

$250 pays for planning, materials and a stipend for the visiting farmer for a month of weekly visits.

Please become a program sponsor by donating online using the secure PayPal button below.

For more information contact us.




Join the Tappan Garden Care Takers

The Tappan Garden & Greenhouse relies on a number of community caretakers for water, weeding, and many other kinds of love, especially over the summer.

Beginning each May, one evening a week volunteers meet to weed the garden between 6:00 p.m. until sunset. Tappan parents and students, Burns Park neighbors, and other community members are welcome to join us. No experience required. Bring a sun hat! We have plenty of tools. Find out more on the Tappan Middle School PTSO Facebook site.

Support the Garden/Share the Harvest

From mid-June to September experienced volunteers will provide support and tools to families interested in helping care for the garden over the summer. When you sign up for one or two weeks we’ll pair you with another family. Share the joy of working outdoors and enjoy the bounty of this wonderful productive school garden.

Sponsor Edible Education!

Would you and your business like to help connect local youth with the food they eat, their personal health, and the health of their communities and the environment?

Food system change begins with children. Businesses who join our Edible Education Sponsorship with receive recognition on Facebook as well a certificate from The Agrarian Adventure.

Whether you are sponsoring one month for $250 or one year for $3000, we truly appreciate your gift.

Download the Business Sponsorship Form and mail it in.

Want to save a stamp? Use the secure PayPal button below.




Farmer in the Classroom Visits

For Farmers:

If you are a farmer, chef, or local food artisan passionate about spreading the good food word, consider becoming one of our Farmer in the Classroom visitors! Previous teaching experience is not a prerequisite – just a genuine knowledge of sustainable food production and an interest in teaching what you know to others.

Our team can help guide you through the process of visiting a classroom, including providing logistical and lesson-planning support.

If you are interested in learning more about visiting one of our host classrooms, please fill out this survey:

Farmer in the Classroom Interest Survey

Based on your level of interest and availability indicated in the survey, our team will contact you to provide you more information or to schedule your classroom visit!

For Teachers:

If you are a classroom teacher interested in having a farmer come visit your classroom, please fill out a survey so that our team can help match you up with a farmer!