Greenacres Foundation

Looking for a meaningful way to give back while supporting education, conservation, agriculture, and sustainability? Greenacres is seeking volunteers for several hands-on opportunities at both our Cincinnati campus and Michaela Farm.

📍 Cincinnati Campus

🌼 Spooky Hollow Farm Pollinator Garden Assistant
Help care for vibrant pollinator beds that serve as an important outdoor learning space for students. Volunteers assist with weeding, watering, seasonal cleanup, and general garden maintenance to support native plants and create a welcoming environment where children can explore insects, observe pollinators, and engage with nature through hands-on experiences. (1–3 hours per week, April–October)

🌾 Pocket Prairie Assistant
Support the health and beauty of our Pocket Prairie, a diverse planting of native grasses and wildflowers that provides valuable habitat and food sources for pollinators. Volunteers help maintain the area by regularly removing weeds and monitoring the space to encourage a thriving native plant community. This flexible role allows volunteers to work independently and set a schedule that works for them. (Approximately 2 hours per week or biweekly later in the season, April–October)

♻️ Special Recycling Assistant
Help advance Greenacres' sustainability efforts by assisting our Green Team with special recycling projects. Volunteers sort and organize materials, prepare items for transport to the Cincinnati Reuse & Recycling Hub, and help keep recycling areas clean and efficient. This role is ideal for individuals who enjoy hands-on work and want to make a direct environmental impact. (Weekly on Thursday afternoons, 1:00–2:00 or 3:00 p.m., year-round)

🌳 Tree Cage Maintenance Assistant
Help protect young trees in our restoration areas by maintaining the cages that shield them from deer and other wildlife. Volunteers remove weeds and invasive growth around cages, clear vegetation from structures, and assist with minor repairs as needed. This important conservation role helps ensure newly planted trees have the best opportunity to establish and thrive. (2–4 hours per month, April–October)

📍 Michaela Farm Campus - Oldenburg, IN

🥚 Michaela Farm Market Assistant
Support our farm market operations by helping prepare fresh products for distribution and donation. Volunteers assist with washing and labeling eggs, packaging produce, sorting items, and organizing products to ensure they are ready for customers and community partners. This role is perfect for those who enjoy working with local food and contributing to a smooth, efficient market operation. (3–4 hours per week or one day per week, ideally Tuesday–Friday, June–November)

Volunteer opportunities are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage interested individuals to apply early.

Apply here: https://www.volgistics.com/appform/1846009919

Please list the volunteer position you are interested in on your application.

Join us in creating meaningful learning experiences, caring for the land, supporting local food systems, and advancing conservation efforts throughout our community.

Step into an evening that blends celebration with purpose at Giving with Grace 2026, happening Wednesday, September 30, 2026 from 6:00–9:00 PM at Greenacres Arts Center.

Guests will enjoy a relaxed, festive night filled with local food, music, and community connection, all while supporting the Exploring with Grace Fund.

This fund helps remove barriers for children to access nature, agriculture, and the arts by supporting transportation, meals, supplies, and after-school programming. In 2025 alone, the program served more than 2,200 learners, delivered over 100 programs, and provided thousands of meals to students across the region.

Early bird tickets are now available for a limited time.

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/greenacresfoundation/2187152

Join us in creating access, opportunity, and lasting impact for young learners.

Photos: Kindred Light Studios

Join our team as a Cleaning Crew Attendant and help care for the spaces where education, conservation, and community come together.

In this role, you’ll work alongside a dedicated team to maintain our historic buildings and classrooms, creating clean and welcoming environments for all who visit. From daily upkeep to supporting sustainable practices, your work will directly contribute to the Greenacres mission.

What to expect:
• Full-time, Monday–Friday schedule
• $18–$20/hour
• Work across multiple Greenacres campuses
• A collaborative, team-focused environment

Benefits include:
• Generous PTO + 10 paid holidays
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Paid family medical leave
• Employer-funded retirement plan
• Ongoing training and growth opportunities

If you value quality, stewardship, and being part of a strong team, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply Today:
https://recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/Details/4069071

We’re excited to share that our Director of Garden Operations, Ian Zeglin, will be presenting with the Indiana Small Farms Conservation group this week.

Join this virtual session to learn how Ian and the Greenacres team approach vegetable crop rotations through a full “year in the life of a bed.” He’ll walk through how cover crops, mulching, bed preparation, planting, and seasonal transitions all work together to support soil health and long-term productivity.

This is a great opportunity for growers, educators, and anyone interested in conservation-focused agriculture to gain practical, field-tested insights from our gardens.

📆 April 1 | 9–10 AM Eastern
📍 Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81909196128

Learn more about our farm and programs: https://green-acres.org/farm-market/

We’re grateful to collaborate with partners who are advancing thoughtful, conservation-driven farming practices.

Winter at Greenacres is full of quiet work that makes a lasting impact.

From caring for livestock through the coldest months to welcoming students, families, and guests across our farms, this season is all about stewardship, learning, and connection.

In our Winter 2026 newsletter, you’ll find stories of:
🌱 Winter livestock care and land management
🐖 Research exploring heritage breeds
🎶 A memorable evening of music at the Arts Center
🛠️ Craftsmanship using materials from the land
👩‍🌾 Celebrating one year of learning, growth, and connection at Nippert Barn and Greenacres Michaela Farm

Each story reflects the people, partnerships, and purpose that shape Greenacres.

Take a moment to read and see what winter looks like on the farm.

Around Greenacres: Winter 2026: A Season of Learning and Stewardship Discover how Greenacres brought education, agriculture, research, and the arts together this winter through hands-on programs, thoughtful stewardship, and community connection.

🌿 Become a Leader at Greenacres 🌿

Is your high schooler looking for a meaningful and engaging summer experience? Our Leaders in Training (LIT) program invites teens ages 14–17 to grow their leadership skills while supporting the next generation of campers.

LITs serve as role models for campers ages 5–13 and gain hands-on experience in areas like arts, agriculture, equine, environment education, and teaching. Participants volunteer for just two weeks during our summer camp season, receive mentorship from our full-time educators, and build real leadership experience.

✅ The LIT program may count toward school service or volunteer hour requirements. We encourage families to confirm details with their school.

📅 Applications for Summer 2026 are open February 16 through March 16, 2026.
📍 Group interviews will be held March 18–22.
🎉 Final camp assignments will be announced by May 1, 2026.

This program is competitive and space is limited. If your teen is motivated, enjoys working with children, and is ready to lead by example, we encourage you to apply.

Tag a family who might be interested or share this post to help us spread the word.

Learn More & Apply: https://green-acres.org/leaders-in-training/

Looking for a Valentine’s Day gift that lasts all summer? 💚🌿

Cincinnati summer camp registration opens tomorrow, Saturday, February 14 at 9:00 AM.

Fresh air, hands-on learning, and time in nature make a pretty sweet gift for your kids, grandkids, nieces, or nephews.

To save time, create your camp account ahead of registration so you’re ready to go when camps open. Camps fill up quickly, so marking your calendar is encouraged.

https://www.ultracamp.com/clientlogin.aspx?idCamp=1495&campCode=5YW

Last November, artists gathered at the Greenacres Arts Center for a dedicated weekend of making, reflection, and creative exchange. Over three days, selected artists created new work inspired by the land, the studios, and time spent creating together. 🎨

Now, the work is ready to be shared.
 
🖼️ For the first time, the public is invited to experience the Greenacres Artist Weekend Exhibition Opening Reception this Saturday, February 7 from 4-6PM. Meet the artists, view artwork created during the 2025 Artist Weekend, and celebrate the creative process behind each piece.
 
🎟️ Tickets are available via our link in bio. Click Upcoming Events to find the ticketing page. Capacity is limited.

🌱 Growing the Future at Greenacres 🌱

Our 2024–2025 Garden and Livestock Apprentices are the first in our program to receive State of Ohio apprenticeship certification. This milestone recognizes their dedication, skill, and the strength of Greenacres’ hands-on, generative approach to learning.

Over two years, these apprentices worked full time in our fields, barns, and classrooms, gaining real-world experience in sustainable agriculture. They managed their own growing spaces, supported livestock care, and donated more than 1,200 pounds of produce to local food partners.

This certification strengthens our apprenticeship program and reflects our commitment to mentorship, experiential learning, and building the next generation of agricultural leaders. We are proud to see our graduates move into roles in greenhouse management, field leadership, and beyond.

Greenacres Apprentices Earn State Certification Greenacres’ first cohort of Garden and Livestock apprentices has earned State of Ohio certification, marking a milestone in hands-on, generative agricultural education rooted in mentorship and real-world experience.