Food and Farm Program

The mission of the Food and Farm Program is to create a sustainable agricultural model that brings together youth and adults from diverse backgrounds and gives them a hands-on educational experience in agriculture. Our program seeks to teach youth about the source of their food, how it is grown, the value in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and the importance of providing fresh produce locally and to those that are food insecure.


In 2005, the VYCC moved into its new home at the West Monitor Barn. Since then, it has sought to carry on the agricultural tradition found on this once working dairy farm. With over 100 years of farming history on the property, the VYCC had a good place to start.

During the summer of 2007, the VYCC began the Food and Farm Program with a 1/4 acre vegetable production. Over the last three years the program has seen tremendous success and is poised to significantly increase production to five acres in 2010.

Through our partnership with the Vermont Foodbank, the VYCC will be providing fresh produce to several food shelves in Chittenden County. Our food will also be distributed to area schools, VYCC crews, and used during many VYCC events throughout the year.


Monitor Barns CSA

The Monitor Barns Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program is a dynamic collaboration between the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC) and Maple Wind Farm (MWF). Together, the partners combine the conservation and education mission of the VYCC with the experience and high-quality food production of MWF.

How our CSA Works:

  • 20 weeks of farm fresh vegetables, June through October
  • Vegetables are grown and harvested at the VYCC’s Monitor Barns
  • Pick-up every Thursday, 3-6:30 pm at the West Monitor Barn in Richmond, Maple Wind Farm in Huntington, or Healthy Living Market in South Burlington
  • Flowers and Herbs are included for members in our Pick-Your-Own gardens
  • Weekly add-on’s will include Vermont cheese, artisan bread, pasture-raised eggs, and delicious baked goods from local sources
  • Pasture-Raised Poultry share of six whole chickens throughout summer is also available
  • Members enjoy weekly E-newsletters, recipes, and stories from partner farms
  • Encourage sustainable farming by eating chemical-free vegetables and pasture-raised meat
  • Proceeds support conservation programs and efforts to provide local produce to area schools and food shelves

Purchasing a CSA share supports the Monitor Barns Farm mission to produce food for local families, area schools, and food shelves. Download the Monitor Barns CSA Brochure for more information.

To purchase a Monitor Barns CSA share, fill out a Membership Form or contact Beth at (802) 434 - 7257. Meat shares are also available from Maple Wind Farm. Thank you!


Food & Farm AmeriCorps Interns

To support the Food & Farm Program, crews of AmeriCorps Food & Farm Interns will live on site during the 2010 Field Season. Farm Interns will participate in all aspects of the farm, including:

  • Managing soil health
  • Greenhouse seedling production
  • Field crop planting
  • Weeding, harvesting, and delivering produce
  • Building and repairing new farm infrastructure

Participants will also learn about raising livestock through laying and broiler chicken operations.

VYCC has a strong commitment to serving the youth of Vermont and caring for the environment. We are excited to continue this commitment with the Food and Farm Program. Through this new endeavor, we look forward to an even deeper relationship with our land by connecting food, education, and the community.

Food & Farm Intern job description PDF.


Please note, we are no longer taking Farm Intern applications for the 2010 Field Season.


For more information, please contact Erin Seward at erin.seward@vycc.org or (802) 434-3969 x145.



VYCC Farm

I loved gardening! I thought about implementing a community garden into my hometown somehow so everyone could benefit from fresh veggies and a little hard work weeding! My favorite part was probably the pickling. When I got home I tried my hand at pickling beets! I can't wait to see how they turn out. Not only is gardening good for the stomach, it's therapeutic to the heart and mind. -Amber 2009 LEAP Crew