Fortunately, there are plenty of volunteer events that require little time, but are nevertheless meaningful to both participants and beneficiaries. In April, a bunch of BU students got together to help clean up the Charles River as part of an annual city-sponsored event. This weekend, about 10 students got together to work on an organic farm in Boston run by a non-profit organization called "The Food Project."

An organic farm in Boston? The idea is even stranger considering that the farm is located in an area that is never mentioned in tour books except, perhaps, to warn visitors against visiting.

It was a bit of a trip just to get to the farm, since we had to take the bus to get to an area that none of us had really explored before, even though it's only 3 miles (4.8km) from BU. It didn't seem particularly dangerous but a lot of the apartments and stores were in a sad, depressing state. We were all very relieved when we finally saw the lush green of the farm.

There is a special meaning in having the farm in this area. Many of the lots in the area had been abandoned in the '60s and '70s and had since been used as areas for drug dealing, illegal waste dumping and stolen car dismantling.

Several years ago, The Food Project decided to prove that the lots could be put to better use by turning it into farmland. It was no easy task, considering that the soil was so contaminated that it could not be used to grow vegetables.

They gradually improved the condition of the land - they transported many truckloads of clean soil - and now the farm produces tons of organic food every year. A good part of the work, from clean ing up the lots, has been done by volunteers.

What especially attracted me to the organization is that it benefits many people. The farm provides soothing green to the neighborhood; they donate about half of their food to local shelters; they teach high school students both from the inner city and from affluent suburbs how to run such a farm, how to cooperate among themselves, and how to lead the groups of volunteers; they also encourage those students to volunteer in the shelters where the food is donated. Even though this sounds hokey, I think the volunteers gain more than they contribute.

At first, I didn't quite know what I could do but I soon found out that even one-time-only volunteers are expected to do serious work. My subgroup of four people weeded the areas in between the vegetable plants and covered those areas with wood chips. Other subgroups dug out tree stumps, turned over the compost pile and covered the pepper beds. It was a gorgeous day and I enjoyed the company of my fellow volunteers but I must admit that my poor muscles suffered for days afterward.

Obviously, the point of the organization is not to make money off selling vegetables. In fact, my guess is that the organization probably can't cover all the costs of running the farm solely based on profit from sales. However, whether it is through private funds, public grants or "personal donations" of time by volunteers, I think it is worth supporting such organizations.

The Food Project has brightened up lots that were formerly eyesores, and it has been producing an impressive amount to local organic food - but, more importantly, it has brightened up the lives of many people in Boston. This is truly priceless.

ST

(C) All rights reserved