Volunteer Info
Volunteer Requirements and Training
Volunteer Requirements: 

Age Requirements:
Our minimum age to volunteer is 8 years old. Children ages 8-13 years old must be accompanied by an adult who volunteer with the child each time they are at the farm. This means the parent must also complete a volunteer application, provide a background check, and attend the Volunteer Orientation with the child. Children ages 14 and up are eligible to be at the farm without their parent or guardian as long as it has been prearranged with a staff member.

Children ages 14 and older are eligible to lead horses and participate in hippotherapy sessions, i.e. leading the horse and side walking, depending on experience level. In order to sign up for a Horse Handler Training course, you must be 14 years of age. Please contact the Volunteer Department if you have a child under the age of 14 who is interested in attending the Horse Handler Training.

Volunteers with Special Needs:
Potential volunteers who have special needs are welcome! We do ask that all volunteers who have additional needs have a parent or guardian go through the volunteer application and training process and be a part of all volunteer activities.

Background Check Procedures:
Volunteers age 18 and older are required to complete a background check annually. After the Adult Application is submitted, a link for the background check will be sent to you. 
The results may take up to 3-5 business days. 

Volunteer Uniform, Dress Code, Food & Drinks:
Appearance is key! Volunteers are required to purchase a McKenna Farms Volunteer T-Shirt for $12 and wear it during each volunteer session. These are available for purchase in the main office. Make sure to wear appropriate footwear and clothing each time you come to the farm. This entails closed toe shoes, pants or appropriate length shorts, and your Volunteer t-shirt. 
Also, feel free to bring something to drink and snack on while you’re working at the farm. There is a water bottle refilling station for everyone to use.

Court Mandated Community Service Prospects:
If you are wishing to obtain court mandated community service hours, you will need to complete a volunteer application. If you are 18 years of age or older, you will also need to submit a background check. If you are 17 years old or younger, you will need to submit legal documentation of your offenses.
Once these are completed and reviewed by the Volunteer Department, you will need to sign up for a Volunteer Orientation which will not count towards your cumulative hours. Community service hours are offered Monday through Friday from about 8am-5pm depending on staff availability. All court mandated community service volunteers will complete their hours doing barn and farm work. Please note, not all offenses are accepted. If you have any questions, please contact the Volunteer Department at 770.443.9672 or volunteer@mckennfarms.org.

Application & Training Process
  • Your first step is to fill out the appropriate volunteer application at the bottom of this page.  Please note that each individual volunteer must have their own username, password and complete the correct application (Minor, Adult, or Court Mandated Community Service).
  • The second step is for all volunteers age 18 and older, to complete a background check.  As soon as you submit your application, you will receive an email with the background check link. The background check may take 3-5 business days, and the results will be sent directly to the Volunteer Department. Once we have received and reviewed your background check, we will notify you via email that you have been accepted to volunteer with us.
  • The third step is to sign up and complete volunteer training and read our volunteer manual.
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