The farm was a lifesaver

Michelle at River Road Farm this summer, drying salad greens for CSA farm share and the Poverello Center.

I’m currently the caretaker at River Road Farm but I’ve worked for Garden City Harvest for four seasons and was a volunteer for five seasons before that.

When I moved to Missoula almost 10 years ago, I was admittedly a bit lost. I had a job but didn’t really know anyone in town, and it was actually a pretty lonely time.

I heard about the Volunteer for Veggies program and called Greg, the director of River Road Farm. He told me to, “just show up.” And, luckily for me, I did.

It was a lifesaver.

Having somewhere to be, good work to be a part of, and people to be with rescued me from a difficult time.

The people I met that first year, I still count amount my closest friends. And, ten years later, that same farm is my actual home.

I have seed this farm have a similar effect on many volunteers throughout the years. Of course it is a farm and farms are about food. But, so many volunteers come back week after week and never take so much as a carrot.

So, what are they finding at the farm?

A place to be any day of the week, where you come as you are, where you are guaranteed at least a few friendly faces and something meaningful to do.

Maybe you’re having a bad day and don’t want to talk to anyone . . . Maybe social interaction makes you anxious . . . Maybe you feel lost, lonely, or don’t even know where to begin . . . We still have a place for you! It can really turn a difficult day around.

For me, it turned a difficult year around and led me down a path I had never anticipated.

Join us in creating lifelines for Missoulians of all walks of life with a donation, won’t you?