Careers

Description:

VYCC FOOD & FARM PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Vermont Youth Conservation Corps’ Food and Farm Program is a dynamic youth development, sustainable agriculture and food security initiative. At VYCC, we believe in the power that food has to connect us to the land, our community, and each other. We engage young people in diversified, sustainable agriculture and culinary education on our historic 400-acre campus in Richmond, Vermont.

In 2020, the program produced 64,865 pounds of organically certified vegetables and 800 pasture raised chickens which were distributed to more than

400 families through our nationally recognized Health Care Share project. The Heath Care Share is a public health initiative that connects Vermont families who experience barriers to accessing locally grown produce or have diet- related disease with a weekly vegetable share they pick-up at partnering medical centers. We also raise layer hens for eggs, pigs for meat and additional vegetables, flowers and herbs that we sell through our vibrant, on- site farm stand.  Each year the program provides approximately 65 employment opportunities to youth and young adults from Vermont and around the country who are essential to the daily operations of the farm. In addition to farming, the program has a strong food culture which seeks to deepen the connection between the work we do in the field and the food on our plates. In addition to preparing a lunch together from the farm every work day, we also gather as a larger community to cook and share celebratory meals sourced from our farm.

All members work together to support the Food and Farm Program’s impactful role within Vermont’s thriving agriculture and food community.

CREW LEADER

The AmeriCorps Crew Leader positions play key leadership roles in the Food and Farm Program, which supports almost 70 young people with work and service opportunities by engaging in small groups we call crews. Each AmeriCorps Crew Leader is responsible for facilitating a crew of youth or young adults through their work in food production and project-based learning, which inherently involves navigating group dynamics, risk assessment, and planning. Their service results in a collaborative effort to mentor youth and support sustainable agriculture while increasing the health and wellbeing of Health Care Share Member-families.

https://www.vycc.org/apply/lead/

COMPENSATION:

-Weekly living stipend of $400 a week (approximately $1600 a month) -Segal Education Award of $4,336.5 upon AmeriCorps service completion -Fresh vegetables, eggs, and meat from the farm -Allotted Days Off 

DATES: April 12th-October 8th

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: To apply and learn more, please submit an application through the VYCC’s website:

https://www.vycc.org/join/crew-leader-application/.

Please contact Kyle (kyle.weatherhogg@vycc.org) with any questions.