Volunteer Opportunities

 
 
VOLUNTEER APPLICATION FORM

Garden & Greenhouse Volunteers — Practice in Action 

At the Dharma Centre of Canada, caring for the land is part of our spiritual practice. Our gardens and greenhouse help nourish retreatants, residents, and volunteers, and are tended with mindfulness, care, and respect for all beings.

We are welcoming Garden & Greenhouse Volunteers and are also forming a Garden Committee for those who love nature and feel inspired to help guide, support, and steward our garden spaces over time. Whether you’d like to be involved in planning and visioning, or simply enjoy getting your hands in the soil, your participation is deeply appreciated.

As a volunteer, you may help with:

  • Planting, watering, weeding, and harvesting vegetables, herbs, and flowers

  • Greenhouse care, seed starting, and seasonal garden projects

  • Composting and gentle land stewardship 

  • Maintaining tools and shared outdoor spaces

Garden Committee members may also support:

  • Seasonal planning and garden visioning

  • Coordinating volunteer days or work periods

  • Supporting sustainability and long-term care of the land

Joining the committee is entirely optional — you are welcome to volunteer regularly, occasionally, or simply when your schedule allows.

Spring Planting Weekends – April & May

The DCC will be hosting several planting weekends this spring and we are actively looking for volunteers to help prepare the greenhouse and garden beds for the growing season.

  • April 4–5, 11–12, 18–19

  • May 16–17, 23–24

Seedling Contributions Welcome
If you have extra vegetable, herb, or flower seedlings to share, we would be deeply grateful for your offerings. Contributing seedlings is another beautiful way to participate in nurturing the land and community.

Volunteering in the garden offers:

  • Meaningful service to the retreat community

  • A balanced complement to meditation and retreat practice

  • A deeper relationship with the land that supports all who come here.

If you feel called to help awaken the soil and support this season of renewal, we warmly invite you to join us. No prior experience is required — just care, reliability, and a love for nature. Please contact us with the days you are available, and consider booking ahead for the April weekends as we prepare the greenhouse and garden beds. 

We hope to offer free lodging and meals (subject to room availability) for those who arrive Saturday morning and stay through the end of day Sunday.

Your hands in the soil are a gift to the whole retreat community 🌱

Interested in volunteering, joining the Garden Committee, or donating seedlings?
Contact us at info@dharmacentre.org

We look forward to welcoming you into this beautiful path of shared practice and joyful service.

With gratitude, The Dharma Centre of Canada