
Resources
Tools, guides, and answers to help you get started with gleaning
When to Glean: Seasonal Crop Calendar
Plan your gleaning events around peak harvest times for maximum impact.
| Crop | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Root Vegetables | ||||||||||||
| Leafy Greens | ||||||||||||
| Berries | ||||||||||||
| Stone Fruit | ||||||||||||
| Tree Fruit | ||||||||||||
| Grains | ||||||||||||
| Squash & Melons |
Have crops ready for gleaning? Get matched with youth groups near you.
Sign Up Your FarmFrequently Asked Questions
Find answers for farmers, youth group leaders, and food banks
No, participating as a farm partner is completely free. Glean America connects you with youth groups at no charge. You may even benefit from federal and state tax deductions for donated produce.
The Federal Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act protects farmers who donate food in good faith from civil and criminal liability. Additionally, all participating youth groups are required to carry their own liability coverage and provide signed waivers before visiting your farm.
Very little! You set the schedule that works for you. A typical gleaning visit lasts 2-3 hours. You just need to briefly orient the group to your farm and designate which areas are available for gleaning. The group leaders handle all supervision.
No. All youth groups come with their own trained adult leaders who supervise their members. You only need to provide a brief orientation and point them to the right fields. You are welcome to join in, but it is not required.
Every bit helps! Even small amounts of gleaned produce make a difference for families in need. You can specify the estimated quantity when you list your availability, and we will match you with appropriately sized groups.
We provide documentation of the type and quantity of produce gleaned from your farm after each visit. You can use this along with fair market value estimates for your federal tax deduction under IRC Section 170(e)(3). We recommend consulting your tax advisor for specific guidance.
Absolutely. You have full control over your farm. You approve or decline all visit requests, set your own available dates and times, and determine the maximum group size. No one visits your farm without your explicit approval.
Both parties can reschedule at any time. We make it easy to communicate changes through the platform. There are no penalties for weather-related cancellations — safety always comes first.
Still have questions? Contact us and we'll be happy to help.