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.
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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.
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Sign up for a shift
Find an open shift on the sign up form for the program you're interested in and write in your name. 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!​
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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.
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Receive a voucher for store credit ($100-$125 per shift)
At the end of your shift we'll send you home with a voucher code you can use in our online shop to select any tubers you like (you can also use it for event tickets).
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Place your order on our website
Fill your cart and load your voucher in the "coupon code" field. The website will automatically give you the discount. Select "Work Trade Participant" in the shipping field so you aren't charged for shipping (it's on us!)
Get tubers!
We'll ship your tubers to you in the spring. If you're joining us for fulfillment, you can pack your own order after your shift and take your tubers home the same day.
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.
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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.
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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!
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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
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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! We're still working out the details and exact roles, but if you're interested in joining the crew for the big day, please sign up for the interest list below. We'll let you know when more details are posted.
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This event will occur in early to mid-May 2025!​​
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!
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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
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"It was so much fun being around your family and learning so much!"
Jennifer T, 2024
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"It was a great experience for me as well 😎"
Ken B, 2024
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"My sister and I so enjoyed our time at the farm and will be back definitely! Thank you so much!"
Jennifer B, 2024
