Working with Volunteers

Understanding LocallyGrown's basic volunteer features and how to coordinate volunteer help for your market operations.

LocallyGrown Volunteer Features

Important: LocallyGrown does not provide a comprehensive volunteer management system. The platform has basic volunteer features, but volunteer coordination must be managed manually by market administrators.

What LocallyGrown Provides

  • Volunteer User Role: Mark users as volunteers in the system
  • Order Fulfillment Access: Volunteers can help with order check-in/checkout when enabled
  • Communication: Volunteers can send messages to market managers
  • Welcome Messages: Custom welcome message for volunteers in their admin panel

What You Need to Manage Yourself

  • Volunteer recruitment and screening
  • Training and onboarding
  • Scheduling and shift management
  • Recognition and retention programs
  • Performance tracking and feedback

Setting Up Volunteers in LocallyGrown

Adding Volunteer Access

To give someone volunteer access in LocallyGrown:

  1. Make sure the person already has a customer account on your market — they need to sign up themselves first.
  2. As a market manager or admin, go to Users → List (the /users/list admin page) and click the row for the person you want to give volunteer access.
  3. In the user modal, scroll to the Special Info section and tick the Market Volunteer checkbox, then click Save.
  4. Next time they visit the site, their account menu will expose the volunteer panel at /admin, alongside any other panels (customer, grower) they already had.

Toggling the checkbox off removes access the same way — no data is lost; the person stays a regular customer.

Volunteer Features Available

Order Fulfillment (When Enabled)

  • Check in grower deliveries
  • Help customers check out their orders
  • View unclaimed orders
  • Access to these features only when market ordering is closed

Communication

  • Send messages to market managers through the volunteer panel
  • View welcome messages from market management

Basic Market Access

  • Browse market products
  • View market schedule and information
  • Access help documentation

Note: Volunteer order fulfillment is yours to turn on whenever you're ready. Open the Market Manager Panel at /admin and click Enable Vol. Fulfillment — the same button toggles it back off. Volunteers only see the fulfillment tools while the market is closed to new orders, so it's fine to leave it on year-round.

Customizing the Volunteer Experience

Welcome Message for Volunteers

Market managers can create a custom welcome message that volunteers see at the top of their volunteer panel every time they log in:

  1. Go to /admin on your market site.
  2. Open the Volunteer panel (visible to admins and to anyone already flagged as a volunteer).
  3. The first collapsible section is Welcome Message. Click Edit Welcome Message to open the Markdown editor, write or revise the message, and click Save Changes.

The welcome message supports Markdown formatting and can include:

  • Market-specific volunteer instructions
  • Contact information for volunteer coordination
  • Schedule information and important dates
  • Links to external resources or training materials

Tip: Keep the welcome message updated with current information since volunteers will see this each time they access their panel.

Managing Volunteers Outside LocallyGrown

Since LocallyGrown only provides basic volunteer role marking, you'll need to handle most volunteer coordination using external tools and systems.

Essential Tools You'll Need

  • Communication: Email lists, group texts, or messaging apps
  • Scheduling: SignUpGenius, Google Sheets, or simple calendars
  • Training Materials: Written guides, videos, or in-person orientation
  • Recognition: Your own system for tracking and appreciating volunteers

Typical Volunteer Roles at Markets

Order Fulfillment (Available in LocallyGrown)

  • Help check in grower deliveries when market is closed
  • Assist customers during order pickup
  • Handle unclaimed orders
  • Requires volunteer access in LocallyGrown system

Market Day Support (Manual Coordination)

  • Set up market displays and signage
  • Direct traffic and parking
  • Answer customer questions
  • Help with cleanup and breakdown

Administrative Support (Manual Coordination)

  • Social media management
  • Event planning and coordination
  • Grower outreach and support
  • Community engagement activities

Getting Started with Volunteers

Setting Up Someone as a Volunteer in LocallyGrown

  1. Ensure the person has a LocallyGrown account for your market
  2. Go to the customer management page
  3. Find their account and mark them as a volunteer
  4. They'll automatically have access to help with order fulfillment

Managing Volunteers Outside the System

For all other volunteer coordination, you'll need to:

  • Create your own recruitment and application process
  • Develop training materials and orientation procedures
  • Set up scheduling systems using external tools
  • Manage communication through email, text, or messaging apps
  • Track volunteer hours and contributions manually
  • Create your own recognition and appreciation programs

Tip: Start simple with just one or two volunteers and basic tools. You can expand your volunteer program as you learn what works best for your market.

Getting Help

For questions about volunteer access in LocallyGrown, contact LocallyGrown support. For broader volunteer management needs, consider:

  • Local volunteer coordinator training programs
  • Other farmers market associations for best practices
  • Nonprofit volunteer management resources
  • Community organizing workshops

Remember: LocallyGrown provides basic volunteer role functionality, but comprehensive volunteer management requires your own coordination systems and tools.

Contact Support Back to Market Management