The Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead is a 12-acre park that provides more than 300,000 visitors access to farm animals, birds of prey, vegetable and flower gardens, a one-room country schoolhouse, old time fishing pond, horse drawn wagon rides and pony rides.
Your consideration in being a volunteer, also known as farmhands, is vital to the success of the program.
Farmhands greet our visitors, garden, provide animal care and assist with activities and special events. We ask that our farmhands commit to a weekly minimum three to four hour shift; however, deviations from this schedule are available.
We are open seven days a week (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) with extended hours in the summer (Memorial Day to Labor Day). Activities are held between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday; this is when we need farmhands the most.
Volunteer opportunities can include:
Behind the Scenes - Are you someone that likes to keep things organized? Do you like to talk on the phone? Do you need a sedentary volunteer position? Then consider volunteering to be a help to the staff.
Concessions - The Farmstead has two concession areas. One at the Dairy Barn and one at the Farmstead entrance. The concessions consist of drinks and dry goods. No gourmet skills required.
Dairy Farm Attendant - How Now Brown Cow! Your responsibilities include greeting guests and doing educational crafts with children. Comfort with working around cows a consideration.
Fishing - Assist guests with the fishing activities at Grandpa Bob’s Fishing Pond. This is a good opportunity to teach youngsters your angler skills. Comfort with worms required.
Gardeners - Are you a wiz with plants, then we need your help with planting, weeding and general maintenance of the Farmstead’s gardens, flower beds and wooded areas.
Greeters/Front Entry - Have a friendly smile? If so, we need you to welcome and count visitors, distribute brochures and provide general information about the Farmstead.
Indian Encampment Interpreter - Complete with an earthen lodge, tee pees, wigwams and associated artifacts. Farmhands dress in period clothing and are needed to be on hand to tell the story of the Kanza Indians and to answer questions. In-depth training provided.
Maintenance and Repair - Assist with general maintenance and repair around the Farmstead, including carpentry, painting and artifact repair.
Mining Operation - Thers’ gold in them ther’ hills! Yes, this volunteer assists our guests in finding genuine gem stones in our “rough” bags of sand. This is a big hit with the kids!
Party Greeter/Attendant - Hold onto your party hat! If you love parties, this is for you. This is a Saturday and Sunday activity where you assist in preparing party areas, welcoming party guests and providing general support to the program. Note: It is the responsibility of the party to manage their food, gifts and clean up.
Pony Ride Attendant - Do you enjoy horses? Well, if so, we have the job for you. After extensive training you will be responsible for the management of the pony rides.
Schoolhouse Attendant - Dress in period clothing and provide historical information on the operation and impact of one-room schoolhouses in eastern Kansas in 1901. Again, training provided.
Tour Guide - Are you a talker, well this is the job for you. Tour guides walk our guests, generally in groups of 10-30, through the park and provide an overview of the park’s/Kansas history. Your tour responsibilities include a ride on our house drawn wagon ride.
Special Events - Each year the Farmstead host up to nine special events. These events allow for one time volunteering by groups or families. Just give us a call if you are interested.
Wagon Ride Attendant - This volunteer assists our guests on the horse drawn wagon rides. This attendant also supervises the petting pen while the wagon is out on a ride.
If you are interested in volunteering, contact the volunteer coordinator at 913/897-1042, Ext. 31, or email Farmsteadvolunteer@opkansas.org.