Residential Farm Crew, Vermont Youth Consevation Corps

Residential Farm Crew positions available on a busy, organic, diversified

vegetable farm in Vermont!

Join The Farm at the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps this season
Minimum Age: 20
Season: 12-19 weeks
Compensation: living stipend, housing and food, crew transportation, and an
AmeriCorps Segal Education Award
Opportunity: a peer-led team of six people who work together to grow produce
and raise poultry for Vermont families in need, while teaching and mentoring
our high school crew members. Positions are 675 or 900-hour AmeriCorps service
opportunities.

About the Project -
Health Care Share
The Farm's primary focus is the Health Care Share, 6-month produce and poultry
CSA that connects Vermont families who are unable to afford or access fresh
food with a weekly share of produce. Member-families enrolled in the HCS are
referred by their health care provider and pick up their weekly share of
produce at their doctor's office. The Health Care Share now serves more than
500 families at medical centers across the state. VYCC puts Vermont youth to
work growing, harvesting and packing these shares in a paid employment
training opportunity. Visit http://www.vycc.org/farm/health-care-share/ to
learn more.

Primary Responsibilities
• Vegetable Production –
- Transplanting, weeding, harvesting
- Maintain hoophouse crops, including tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and greens
- Lead community and corporate volunteer groups on field activities
• Wash, Pack & Distribution –
- Follow Food Safety protocols to wash various types of produce appropriately
and efficiently
- Assist with weekly packing of HCS shares, as well as wholesale and retail
orders
- Assist with weekly HCS distribution to medical centers
• Livestock Production –
- Care for chickens, laying hens, pigs and cows
• Construction –
- Build and maintain greenhouses, portable hoophouses, poultry pens, livestock
fencing
• Off Campus Projects –
- Assist HCS farmers throughout VT with vegetable production tasks
- Learn from the techniques of other Vermont farmers
- Regular and on-call gleaning projects to rescue produce for use in HCS
• Farmers' Market and Other Marketing Outreach and Events

Qualifications
• Solid belief in and commitment to the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps
mission
• Experience with, or the strong desire to learn, sustainable agriculture
techniques and methodology
• Desire to learn and build upon leadership skills
• Good time management, organizational skills, and attention to detail
• Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills
• Strong written communication skills
• Strong physical and emotional stamina
• Valid driver's license and good driving record
• Standard First Aid and CPR or equivalent, or willingness to obtain

Compensation
• AmeriCorps Living Allowance, paid biweekly
• Segal Education Award upon completion of service
• On-campus housing; farm food allotment (produce, eggs, meat, and dry goods)
• Organizational dedication to on-going professional development (monthly farm
visits, NOFA workshops and trainings, etc.)

Start Date
12 week crew: Late May
19 week crew: Early June

To Apply
Please submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three
professional references.
Andrew Whitehead, Program Coordinator: Andrew.whitehead@vycc.org

About the Organization -
The Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC) is a 501c3 nonprofit service,
conservation, and education organization focused on youth leadership
development. Since 1985, it has provided valuable job training and education
programs to more than 6,000 youth from across the country and from nearly
every town in Vermont. All activities are inextricably tied to VYCC's mission
-- teaching young people personal responsibility through meaningful work that
connects us to the land, community, and one another. To instill these skills
and values, VYCC enrolls young people in paid work opportunities. Our model is
strong and simple: Youth Corps Members work together in small groups, guided
by highly trained leaders, to complete high priority projects in conservation
and agriculture.