Trade time for tubers as you learn about the world's most beautiful hobby
We have our roots as a community garden and teaching farm, and for years we've been hosting workshops and events that give our local (and sometimes not-so-local) dahlia lovers a chance to drop into the adventure of the farm for a few hours at a time.
We have three work trade programs throughout the season: fulfillment, planting, and harvest. Participants have a blast and make new friends while learning all about what goes into caring for these unique plants. And of course, everyone gets to take home a voucher for tubers for their own gardens!
How it works
Whether you're joining us for fulfillment, planting or harvest, here's the process.
Sign up for a shift
Find the program you're interested in and fill out the sign-up form. Please only sign up if you're sure you can come, since we can only take a small group of people each day and your presence makes a big difference to the team!
Join us at the farm for your shift
We train everyone together at the start of your shift. Bring your dahlia questions so you can pick our brains about all things dahlias while we work together! Don't forget to pack a lunch if you're staying all day.
Get tubers!
Compensation rates vary depending on the point in the season you're joining us for, so please check each section (fulfillment, planting or harvest) to see how many tubers you'll take home after your shift :)
2025 Fulfillment
Send beauty to gardeners all over America
Help us in the packing room this spring! Customers have been placing orders for tubers with us since last July. We store their tubers safely over the fall and winter until it's time to ship them in spring, when we convert our barn into a fulfillment center.
Work trade participants will help us pack boxes with tubers and send them on their merry way to their new homes. The job is fairly simple, but you'll need to pay close attention to detail to make sure you are choosing the right tubers for each order. You'll be indoors in a cool environment, so please bring layered clothing and comfortable shoes, since you'll also be on your feet for your entire shift.
Voucher rates: $100-$125
Your first shift is compensated at $100. As an incentive for you to stick around, we'll give you a voucher for $125 for any additional shifts after your first one, since you've already been trained and now you're an expert!
Shift dates and times
3 1/2 hours each | Tuesday - Saturday | March 25th to April 5th
9:00 - 12:30 pm, and 1:30 to 5:00 pm
Get your tubers!
After your shift, you can place your order on our web store with your voucher, then pick your tubers and take them home the same day!
2025 Field Planting
Help us plant 10,000 dahlias!
We are planning to plant our fields in a single day this year with the help of a team of fellow dahlia lovers; maybe you! This should be an exciting day learning and working with other dahlia folks, and a great chance to take home some tubers you can plant for yourself.
Saturday, May 10th 2025
Two four-hour shifts available: 9am-1pm and 3pm-7pm
You are welcome to sign up for one or both!
Work Trade Participant Roles
Folks will be under the direction of a manager planting dahlia tubers in our ground cover mats (see photos). There will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions about all things dahlias while we work together.
This is a fun process, but it is a strenuous one. Your shift will involve being in full sun, bending, and working on hands and knees for four hours. If that doesn't sound like something you're interested in, please pass on this event! We'll have less strenuous work trade opportunities again in the Fall.
Compensation
Our shipping season for this year has passed and we are no longer set up to ship new orders, so in lieu of vouchers, we'll be sending you home with a sampler box of tubers (farmer's choice) valued at $150 (.$37.50/hr equivalent). If you stay for two shifts, we'll send you home with two boxes ($300 worth)!
Though we'll be choosing the varieties included, each box will have at least 10 different varieties, all clearly labeled so you know what you're planting.
If you're interested in joining the crew for the big day, please sign up below. If you'd like to stay for two shifts, please sign up on both the morning shift form, and the evening shift form!
This event is weather dependent
Conditions must be just right for successful planting. Right now conditions look good! But if we get rained out, we'll let you know via text and email if we have to reschedule.
2025 Harvest
Bring in the tuber harvest
The 2024 Harvest Work Trade Program was an absolute blast. More than a hundred participants helped us process over 7,000 dahlias in record time. Roles included: Digging, washing, dividing, and stamping. Participants had a great time learning about the different stages of the process, and of course, took home lots of tubers for their own gardens!
We plan to run the Harvest Work Trade Program again in November, 2025. If you're interested in joining us, please sign up on the email list below and we'll reach out to you with details later in the year.
Words from past participants
"Thank you SO much for this garden changing opportunity!! I legit cannot tell you how excited I am, how much I learned working on your farm, and how much joy it’s already brought me. I really appreciate all your time, kindness, and knowledge sharing!"
Jamie S, 2024
"It was so much fun being around your family and learning so much!"
Jennifer T, 2024
"It was a great experience for me as well 😎"
Ken B, 2024
"My sister and I so enjoyed our time at the farm and will be back definitely! Thank you so much!"
Jennifer B, 2024
