Maze Volunteers
Volunteer at Historical Rio Grande Community Farm
What is Rio Grande Community Farm?
RGCF is located at one of the oldest, continuously farmed parcels of land in the United States. It’s history dates back about 300 yearas to the original site of Los Poblanos, one of the earliest Spanish Colonial settlements in the Rio Grande Valley in Northwest Albuquerque. Every year RGCF, which is a 501 [c] [3] non-profit organization, holds a fundraiser to support the operation expenses of this historical property. It’s called Maize Maze. Be part of history!
What is Maize Maze?
Every year for the past twelve years, residents and travelers flock to explore a unique maze cut into a huge cornfield on the Rio Grande Community Farm (RGCF) during the fall weekends from Labor Day through Halloween. This year the maze is in the shape of two Monarch butterflies. It provides hours of fun for people of all ages to use their sleuthing skills to navigate their way successfully through miles of pathways. Checkpoints and riddles throughout the maze provide clues on how to find your way out.
Why should I volunteer for Maize Maze?
Throughout the year the farm contributes to keeping the Albuquerque area green by: growing healthy organic food, using wise natural farming practices, conserving precious water resources, developing wildlife habitat and foraging area, offering members a community garden area and maintaining a beautiful open space area for residents to enjoy. You can learn more below or fill out the Maze Volunteer Form now.
What do I get from volunteering at Maize Maze?
Your 4 or 4.5-hour volunteer service will help RGCF continue to provide these benefits to the community. But it’s not just that satisfaction that we’re offering. We know how rare it is for someone to step up to the plate and we’d like to reward those of you who would like to help our cause. We will provide each of our volunteers with:
A 100% cotton color t-shirt with the beautiful Maize Maze design on it. A $10 value.
Two adult tickets to the Maize Maze. A $14 value.
A coupon to use on your volunteer shift for a free drink and snack. A $2 value.
That’s a $26 value for spending a few hours to help us sell tickets and concession items and occasionally do some other simple tasks.
Is there anything else I get
Since our theme is Monarch butterflies this year, we will also be providing information about these important pollinators and selling seeds to encourage residents to buy and plant milkweed seeds, an important food source for the Monarch butterflies, which were almost wiped out by a heavy frost in 2007. Selling seeds will help the farm and others provide way stations for the Monarch’s recovery. You’ll be a big part of that recovery effort!
When are your volunteer shifts?
Maize Maze is open fall weekends from Aug. 29 to Nov. 1, 2009. Each shift will have a 15 minute break. We’ll need volunteers for the following 4 to 4.5 hour shifts on:
Fridays, from 5:00 to 9:30 p.m. (three people per shift)
Saturdays, the longest day we’re open, we’ll need volunteers on several shifts that overlap slightly. You can choose from:
Shift 1: 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (two people per shift)
Shift 2: 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (three people per shift)
Shift 3: 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (four people per shift)
Sundays, choose your shift:
Shift 1: 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (three people per shift)
Shift 2: 2:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (three people per shift)
Holidays, there are two Mondays during Maize Maze that we are open, Labor Day, Sept. 7 and Columbus Day, Oct. 12, choose a shift;
Shift 1: 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (three people per shift)
Shift 2: 2:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (three people per shift)
What skills do I need to be a volunteer at Maize Maze?
Here are some specific tasks that will be required: collecting money, making change, using a cash register, maintaining a friendly rapport, explaining farm basics and monitoring safety of area. Training will be done at the beginning of each shift. That’s the reason for the shift overlaps.
What else do I need to know?
Our selling area will be under a canopy near the Maize Maze field. Wear sunscreen. Dress casually. Bring a bottle of water to drink. Wear a hat. We always hope volunteers can keep their time commitment, if for some reason you can’t make your shift, we’d appreciate 48 hours notice. E-mail: volunteers@riograndefarm.org. If you can find a friend or family to cover your shift, that would be extremely helpful. Please let us know as soon as possible. As a non-profit organization, we rely on your help and commitment. For other questions on volunteer sign-ups, please call (505) 994-9521.
Signing up to volunteer
If your interested in becoming a volunteer for the Maize Maze please fill out the online Maze Volunteer Form. The Volunteer Coordinator will then contact you to determine your date, day and shift time. Thank You! NOTE: If you have any problems with filling out the form, simply e-mail us at: volunteers@riograndefarm.org or call (505) 994-9521.
How do I find the Maize Maze at RGCF?
Rio Grande Community Farm is located on the Los Poblanos Open Space Fields at 1701 Montano Road NW where it intersects with Tierra Viva Road in Albuquerque. It’s between Coors Boulevard NW and Fourth Street NW.
