Volunteer: Farm, Forest & Garden Expo

Signups: Signups will open January 10th, 9 am. Please sign up in the calendar under events. All Active GSAs are eligible to volunteer.

Expo Dates: February 4th and 5th; Set-up: February 3rd

Expo hours: Friday 2/4: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm; Saturday 2/5: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Event Location
Center of New Hampshire Expo Center
DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown Hotel
700 Elm Street, Manchester, NH 03101

Event Website:

https://www.nhfarmandforestexpo.org

Event Description:

This in-person, family-friendly event, open to the public, features a variety of engaging exhibitors, educational workshops and demonstrations of interest to home-owners and industry members alike, live animals, children’s programs and activities, and a new Garden/Landscaping Skills Showcase area.

Admission includes everything at $10 per person; ages 12 and under will be admitted for free. Tickets are available online now. As a special thank you, all pre-purchased tickets will be entered into a special drawing for a get-away at the Inn at East Hill Farm, in Troy NH. More details are on our website.

The New Hampshire Farm, Forest & Garden Exposition founding sponsors are the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension, the NH Division of Forests & Lands and the NH Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food.

Masks are required at this event.

Parking Info
Parking is available for guests in the garage ($6 validated rate) and on nearby streets (the side streets are free on weekends, Elm St. is only free on Sunday).

** The hotel has offered to pay for our parking while we’re volunteering, but we encourage you to park on the street since it’s free on Saturdays and carpool whenever possible, because $6 each for 50 plus volunteers can add up very quickly!

**Important** Signups are operating differently for this event.  Please sign up for the time slot you are interested in.  If there is a particular duty that you would like to request, please email Kelly AND Emily (kelly@nhgsa.com; emily@nhgsa.com) so that we can make a note.  Otherwise, at the start of your shift, we will plan for 2 duties for the duration of your shift.  This way, volunteers are able to have fun with different types of duties and experience different elements of the expo.

Shifts:

February 3rd: 9:00-12:15, 12:00-3:15, 3:00-6:00 (3 GSAs per shift for Exhibitor Registration)

February 4th: 6:30-10:00, 8:30-12:30, 12:15-4:15, 4:00-7:00

February 5th: 8:30-12:30, 12:15-4:00

GSA Duties
Door Greeter: Welcome guests, pass out programs, check hand stamps. This shift requires standing.

Parking Validation: Assist guests with validating their parking by helping them stamp their parking ticket.

Hand stamper: Stamp guests as they walk in

Expo Support/Floaters: Walk around the Expo, assisting guests and exhibitors. This is a standing and walking position. Please, no shopping while on duty. Many vendors only have one person and really need the coverage for quick breaks.

Back Door Monitor: Sit/stand by the back door to ensure that no one sneaks in.

Cash Registers: Assist with ticket sales.  Will be trained onsite.

Exhibitor Registration: Assist with the registration process.

Workshop/Awards Door Monitor: Welcome attendees for workshops and awards.

KidZone: Monitor the KidZone area.

Garden Showcase Monitor: Monitor the Garden Showcase area.

NH Tourism Booth: Provide brochures to guests and answer any questions about NH.

Orientation
February 3rd at 10 am in person (recommended if you haven’t volunteered at this event before), or through Survey Hero orientation packet. Participating in one type of orientation is MANDATORY.

Perks
Come early or stay late to see the Expo

Dress code

Full GSA uniform: GSA shirt, BLACK pants or skirt and name tag.
No purses or large bags, please. Fanny packs and small over the shoulder wallets are okay.
If you need to add extra layers for warmth, please try to wear them underneath your GSA shirt (complimentary plain colored long sleeved shirts, turtlenecks, etc.) Please try to avoid sweaters, coats, and vests that might obscure your uniform shirt. If you are wearing a sweater, it must be a cranberry, forest green, or navy cardigan style.

Difficulty Rating: 3
Must be able to stand and/or walk for most shifts.

GSA Contact Person:

All event days: Emily McMaster, emily@nhgsa.com, 603-244-0757