The Secret to a Successful Farm Volunteer Program

Got a question? 🤔 

Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/farm-volunteer-program/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! 

Description

In this episode, Deborah Niemann welcomes Anne Petersen of Rosasharn Farm—one of the longest-standing Nigerian Dwarf breeders in the U.S.—to talk about her farm's long-running and highly successful volunteer program. What began as hosting a foreign exchange student over two decades ago has evolved into a dynamic educational experience that has inspired many former volunteers to start their own farms and even veterinary careers.

Anne shares how her program organically developed through her involvement in 4-H, homeschooling, and local agricultural organizations. She emphasizes that the key to a successful volunteer program is education, not free labor, and dives into how she models tasks and responsibilities for volunteers of all ages.

Whether you're thinking of starting a volunteer program or just love hearing about farm-based community building, you’ll find inspiration, insight, and practical advice in this thoughtful and experience-rich conversation.

What You’ll Learn:

• How Anne’s volunteer program started and evolved over 40+ years
• Why education is at the heart of her farm’s volunteer experience
• The importance of modeling and working with your volunteers
• Lessons learned from early challenges, including personality mismatches
• Why understanding a volunteer’s intentions and mindset is critical
• How former volunteers have launched their own farms and careers
• Advice for farmers considering starting their own volunteer program

Resources Mentioned:

• Rosasharn Farm
• Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership (SEMAP)
• 4-H Youth Programs
• Local Young Farmer Networks

Thanks for tuning in!

No one ever said raising goats was easy, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune or drive you crazy! You just need the right information.

🔹 Check out Goats 365 membership

🔹 Or explore The Goat Academy

🔹Looking for Deborah's books? They can be purchased wherever books are sold, or you can get an autographed copy on our online store.

Happy goat-keeping! 🐐