Welcome to our first Volunteer Spotlight! Coastal Roots Farm relies on a stellar team of volunteers to keep operations running smoothly both on the field and in the office. Our volunteers support a range of activities, from weeding to harvesting to event prep to administrative support. Along with regular volunteer hours each week we offer Volunteer Corps, a program that connects volunteers with three-month-long positions in areas like animal husbandry, veggie production, and food forestry. In this blog series we’ll feature one of our regular volunteers and share different ways to get your hands dirty with Coastal Roots Farm. Today, meet Judith Eisenberg!
We love Judith! Not only is she reliable and committed, she always comes into the office Monday mornings with stories about her bunnies, dogs, foster kittens, and chinchilla, which makes for a pretty great start to the week. Judith was instrumental in growing our volunteer program from the ground up, which is why she’s the perfect person to kick off this series. She comes to the Farm with years of experience in volunteer administration and management, and has helped build our capacity to manage and cultivate more volunteers. She’s always willing to jump in and help with any task, whether that means organizing materials, cleaning, working in our database, labeling supplies, or running errands. (We’ve also been known to send her on internet scavenger hunts for educational materials.)
How long have you been a volunteer with Coastal Roots Farm?
I have been volunteering since September 2016, soon after I toured the property as part of a KPBS event.
What kind of work have you done as a volunteer?
My roles have included setting up volunteer recruiting tools, doing a variety of online searches, clerical work, errands, and check-in at special events (like Jewish agricultural festivals).
What do you find compelling about Coastal Roots Farm’s work and mission?
I love the idea that Coastal Roots Farm grows healthy food for people who may not otherwise have access to it. I see [the Farm] as a shining example of cultural Judaism to the San Diego County community.
Why do you enjoy volunteering here?
The staff is so friendly and grateful, and I feel like I am helping our local community.
What is your favorite volunteer activity?
Random internet searches for items I have never heard of that are required for educational activities. (Editor’s note: Judith has been sent on virtual scavenger hunts for mesquite powder and acorn flour, among other things.)
Tell us more!
Where are you originally from?
– I lived in New York ’til age 10, then Texas ’til college.
How do you like to spend the weekend?
– I enjoy animal-related activities and spending time with my family—the best is if I can combine both of those things.
Favorite city you’ve visited/lived in?
– San Diego, of course
If you could only eat one veggie for the rest of your life, what would it be?
– Asparagus
Any interesting facts about yourself?
– I teach computer programming for children; prior to that I ran a volunteer program for 15 years at the Humane Society.
Thank you Judith!
*Header photo by Tomoko Matsybayashi