Farmamerica thanks its volunteers, invites more

About four dozen volunteers attended a “Thank You” breakfast at Farmamerica the morning of Friday, April 10, 2026. On the menu were cinnamon and caramel rolls, Greek yogurt, granola, fresh fruit and coffee. 

 

Long-time volunteer Joann Earle stated, “The Farmamerica staff is very good at taking care of us.” Earle mentioned one of her roles at the facility is acting as an interpreter at the 1850s homestead, a site which represents what a farm in southern Minnesota would have probably looked like shortly after a homesteader moved onto the property and began establishing a working farm. Volunteers are frequently positioned at each of Farmamerica’s interpretive locations, where they provide information, lead activities, or simply supervise.

 

Earle said she has an interest in the pioneer days in southern Minnesota, since some of her ancestors were here at that time. She mentioned she occasionally wears period dress to commemorate them as she volunteers–but that whether she does so or not is up to her.

Volunteer Jim Enevoldsen mentioned that he and others usually drive the trams which transport visitors among the sites. Pointing out most events using the trams take place in the summer, he mentioned he has been volunteering for four years. 

 

Farmamerica activities director Kari Wadd shared that Farmamerica is always on the lookout for new volunteers. She suggested that interested people are likely to find a role they will genuinely enjoy and observed there are many opportunities and different options for those who want to give it a try. She invited people to either stop out at Farmamerica and provide contact information or email staff member Hilary Krueger at hilary@farmamerica. She added, “We have adult supervision out here at all times, so children as young as 15 can volunteer–even better if Mom or Dad volunteer with them!”

 

Also part of the breakfast was a health and safety demonstration by Brad Zinniel of Medical and Safety Resources. He offered information about the difference between welts and spider bites, spoke about allergies, and gave volunteers a chance to try their skills at cardiopulmonary resuscitation using state of the art training dummies.

 

Regarding the presentation, Wadd observed, “We take safety at Farmamerica very seriously, the more medical training we have the better.” She added, “The police or fire department will usually fill out the paperwork in an emergency.”

 

Volunteer Enevoldson stated that, in his four years as a volunteer, he has seen only minor injuries such as skinned knees or other scrapes.