Food & Farm: Session Crew Member

VYCC Food & Farm Program
Food & FarmCrew Member

Program Overview

VYCC’s Food & Farm Program is a youth development, diversified agriculture and food

security initiative. We believe in the power that food has to connect us with the land, our

community, and each other.

On the farm, young people engage in the daily tasks of organic vegetable farming. The

produce grown by Corps Members is distributed to more than 400 families through the

Health Care Share project—a public health initiative that connects Vermont families to

locally-grown produce through their medical provider. Patients who may have nutrient-

related illness or have barriers to accessing fresh produce receive a weekly share of fresh

food. We also raise laying hens for eggs, chickens for meat, and additional vegetables,

flowers, and herbs that we sell through our vibrant, on-site farm stand.

In addition to the work Corps Members do in the farm fields, they also spend time in the

kitchen learning cooking skills. Working with the food they’ve grown, they explore

different recipes and help prepare a daily lunch that is served to all farm crews, connecting

the work in the fields to the food on their plates.

Position Summary

VYCC is seeking Food & FarmCrew Members who are interested in getting their hands in

the dirt by working and learning on an organic vegetable and poultry farm. A successful

Crew Member is able to be a part of a supportive and inclusive crew community, navigate

and learn from challenges, and strive towards personal and professional growth. Crew

Members engage in hands-on work on the farm that ranges from soil preparation and

transplanting, to weeding and harvesting, to washing and packing vegetables. Additional

opportunities include gaining culinary skills through the Food Program’s team lunch and

participating in daily animal chores.

Food & FarmCrew Members are essential to the Health Care Share's success and the farm's

daily operations. If you are excited to work on and learn from a farming experience, while

having a positive impact on communities and individuals, this opportunity is for you!

Essential Functions

Crew Member Duties

• Foster teamwork by working well with fellow Crew Members

• Challenge yourself to engage in new experiences and ideas

• Support emotional and physical safety on your crew

• Follow VYCC principles, practices and policies

• Participate in the daily tasks of your crew, doing the work to the best of your

• Follow all safety guidelines

• Contribute to farm projects including vegetable production (transplanting, weeding,

• Collaborate with Food & Farm Team to prepare Farm Team lunch on a rotating

• Serve alongside other crews, volunteers, and the Farm Team

• Maintain project quality standards

Education and Training

• Participate in member Orientation and scheduled trainings throughout the season

• Engage in learning and enrichment opportunities across all parts of the Food &

Communication & Reporting

• Complete timesheets in a timely manner

• Engage with personal and crew goals through goal setting, reflection and feedback

• Maintain regular, effective communication with Crew Leader, Summer Crew

Required Qualifications

• Be 15 years old at the start of the position

• A desire to make a positive impact in Vermont communities

• Willingness to be part of a team made up of diverse individuals

• Openness to meeting new people, working hard outside, providing and receiving

• Communicate clearly and effectively

• Know how to take care of yourself physically, emotionally, and socially

• Ability to adapt to change and move outside of comfort zones
  

Equal Opportunity at VYCC
VYCC is committed to being an organization that is inclusive and welcoming for all
employees, volunteers, and community members.

Weekly Schedule
Members work an average of 34 hours/week, Monday-Thursday, 8:00am to 4:30pm.
Work Environment
Corps Members spend most of their time outdoors, working with their crew while also
interacting with project sponsors, community members, and VYCC staff.
Compensation & Benefits

• Weekly stipend: $367

• Access to fresh produce from the farm

• Organizational dedication to on-going professional development

• Career pathways support through VYCC’s Community Engagement Manager and