Knoll Programming
The Knoll serves as a site to explore topics of connection, resilience, and regeneration. We offer regular Garden Volunteer Hours programming and partner with courses and on- and off-campus community partners.
Garden Volunteer Hours
The garden has been powered by volunteers and interns for 22+ years, and we are grateful you are here.
Our Spring 2025 Garden Volunteer Hours schedule
- Mondays: 2:30 - 4:30pm
- Wednesdays: 2:30-4:30pm
- Thursdays: 2:30-4:30pm
- Fridays: 2-3pm Reading Group (learn more and signup here)
- Fridays: 3-5pm
This schedule will begin Monday, March 31 and run through Monday, May 12, 2025.
Please note, we will follow the Middlebury College Academic calendar and not hold Garden volunteer Hours during the Spring Symposium (Friday, 4/11)
Looking ahead for Summer 2025: We will hold weekly Garden Volunteer Work Parties every Wednesday from 10am - noon from Wednesday, June 16 through Wednesday, July 30, 2025.
Please be sure to check out go/knollhours for the latest daily updates in the event of cancellations due to weather, and for updates.
Physical Education Credit
Starting in Fall 2020, we have offered physical education credit for attending at least four sessions (8 hours) of Volunteer Garden Hours in one semester.
To furrow, to winnow, to hand mow, to harvest, to broadfork, to wheelbarrow, to broadcast, to mulch, to scout, to steward… What goes into gardening at the Knoll, and why? Join us in working outside while we learn about and carry forward the practices of hand work in the learning garden at the Knoll. We will explore a variety of techniques and approaches to caring for soil and understanding cycles of regeneration. All meetings will open with a welcome and a short, guided contemplative practice. No previous experience is required, bring your questions and a willingness to try something new.
To receive PE credit participants must attend at least four gardening sessions (2 hours each). Please be sure to sign-in on the attendance sheet when you come; there’s no need to sign up in advance.
For all garden volunteers: Please bring a full water bottle and wear closed-toed shoes and layers suitable for movement in the weather. We begin each session with an opening circle to greet and ground our group; your timely arrival is appreciated. We always offer a variety of activities for participants. All supplies are provided, and there is no cost to participants. Please direct questions to Megan Brakeley, associate director, at mbrakeley@middlebury.edu.
Self-guided Tours and Activities
For Fall 2020, we are pleased to share some resources for self-guided, physically distant exploration of the Knoll. Check out the digital handout introducing the Knoll created by Maya Gomez ’20 and a Seek & Find Scavenger Hunt for solo or paired use.
Want to learn more?
Get involved with Knoll Friends student organization by emailing lead organizer Charlotte Xu ‘26.5.
You can read our annual program reports spanning the 20 years of the Knoll’s evolution at go/knollreports, check out the Knoll’s student-run blog at go/knollblog, and follow the Instagram account (@middknoll and @knollfriends) to stay up to date with the latest.
Local Resources
Middlebury’s integrated commitment to sustainability means that we support local, environmentally committed vendors whenever possible. Here are a few Vermont-based organizations that share our vision for the future.