Food & Farm Program Food & Farm Program Food & Farm Program Food & Farm Program

Food & Farm Program

Food and Farm AmeriCorps Intern

Farm Interns serve from March through January in a residential setting on a re-established working farm. These positions give the intern an opportunity to earn an education award for their hard work and commitment to our Food and Farm Program. Farm Interns will work on our five acre vegetable farm, growing crops for the VT Foodbank, area schools, and a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. At the end of the growing season, Farm Interns will transition from the farm to the VT Foodbank to complete their ten 10 month position.


  • 2010 Food & Farm Intern Details
  • 10 Month residential AmeriCorps position
  • March 2010 - January 2011
  • Help develop and expand the VYCC's new sustainable agriculture program
  • Participate in all aspects of farming: planning, planting, cultivating, harvesting, and distributing
  • Must be 18+ years of age, with or in pursuit of a high school diploma or the equivalent

Serving as an AmeriCorps (AC) Intern for the VYCC Food and Farm Program is an opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge about farming, Vermont’s food system, and the link between food, education, and the community.

AC Interns participate in all aspects of the farm including soil health, greenhouse seedling production, field crop planting, irrigation, weeding, harvesting, delivering produce, building and repairing new farm infrastructure, and raising livestock.

The Food and Farm Intern position begins in March 2010 and ends in January 2011. It will begin with an orientation to VYCC and the Farm Program. This overview will outline the expectations and schedule for the subsequent months on the farm, provide an introduction to the AmeriCorps program, and help to cultivate skills in leadership, youth development, and community building.

Farm Interns are responsible for the day to day work that happens on a vegetable farm. Farm Interns will generally work 40-50 hours per week, though occasional longer hours will be required, especially when the growing season is in full swing. Due to the nature of the work, Farm Interns will be asked to work on many diverse and sometimes tedious jobs in all kinds of weather. The work is physically demanding. Interrested applicants need to have a strong desire to learn, a positive attitude, and the ability to be flexible. Some knowledge of vegetable production and animal husbandry is encouraged but not required.


Food & Farm AmeriCorps Intern Responsibilities

  • Participate in all aspects of vegetable and livestock production: planning, planting, managing, harvesting, and distributing crops
  • Work with other AmeriCorps farm interns, VYCC crews, and volunteers
  • Participate in production of the CSA model and distribution of food to local food shelves, area schools, and other possible partnering sites
  • Participate in creating a sustainable funding structure and a creative marketing strategy for the Food & Farm Program
  • Collaborate on the continued growth of the Food & Farm Program
  • Network and communicate with VYCC’s partnering organizations, including Maple Wind Farm, the Vermont Foodbank, local food shelves, areas schools, and Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA)
  • Abide by all VYCC rules and policies

Qualifications

  • 18+ years old and High School graduate
  • Solid belief in the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps mission
  • Commitment to the food system, farming, and working within the local community
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and verbal communication skills
  • Dynamic personality
  • Exceptional time management, organizational skills, and attention to details
  • Availability to work weeknights and weekends
  • Previous experience with or ability to learn using a tractor and other mechanical equipment
  • Past farm experience helpful but not required
  • NOTE: These positions are not open to international applicants.

Benefits

  • Weekly living stipend
  • Room and partial board
  • Health coverage
  • AmeriCorps Education Award upon completion
  • Valuable job skills and professional development

For a full job description, download the Food & Farm Intern PDF.


Apply Now!

We are not currently hiring Farm Interns.


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