Session Farm Crew Member

Food & Farm: Session Farm Crew Member

Location: Richmond

Dates: June 15-July 9th or July 20-August 13th

Schedule: Monday through Thursday 8:00 – 4:30

Weekly stipend: $430

Age requirement: 15-17

Who We Are

VYCC is a mission-driven organization where we strive to take action and build

community by working and learning together with the land. VYCC's Food & Farm

Program is a youth and workforce development initiative that provides hands-on

agriculture training while advancing food security and food-as-medicine programming

to improve the health and resilience of Vermont communities. We believe that food has

the power to connect us with the land, our community, and each other.

On the farm, young people take part in the daily work of organic vegetable production,

gaining hands-on experience in every aspect of growing food. The produce they

cultivate is distributed to more than 400 families through the Health Care Share—a

public health initiative that connects Vermont families to locally grown food through

their medical providers. Patients experiencing diet-related illnesses or barriers to

accessing fresh produce receive a free weekly share of vegetables, supporting both

individual and community health. In addition to vegetables, the farm raises laying hens

for eggs, chickens for meat, and grows flowers and herbs, which are sold through our

vibrant on-site farm stand.

Beyond their time in the fields, Corps Members also spend time in the kitchen learning

essential cooking skills. Using the ingredients they've helped grow, they experiment

with recipes and prepare daily lunches served to all farm crews—creating a meaningful

connection between the work they do on the farm and the food that nourishes them

each day.

Who We Are Looking For

VYCC is looking for Food & Farm Crew Members who want to get hands-on experience

working and learning on an organic vegetable and poultry farm. A successful Crew

Member is someone who can be part of a supportive and welcoming team, face

challenges with a positive attitude, and work toward personal and professional growth.

Crew Members will do hands-on farm work like preparing the soil, planting, weeding,

harvesting, and packing vegetables. They will also have the chance to learn cooking

skills by helping with team lunches and taking care of the farm animals each day.

Food & Farm Crew Members play a key role in the success of the Health Care Share

program and keeping the farm running smoothly. If you're excited to work hard, learn

about farming, and make a positive impact on the community, this opportunity is for

you

What You'll Get to Do

• Be part of a crew – a small team of people your age that you will work with

throughout your time on the farm.

• Learn how to farm – you and your crew will help with farm tasks like planting,

weeding, harvesting, washing vegetables, packing weekly shares, and caring for

animals

• Make sure the people receiving the Health Care Share get high quality food. This

means paying attention to details and following instructions from staff and Crew

Leaders.

• Participate in orientation, training, and workshops.

• Set personal and crew goals, and take part in reflection and feedback

• Gain new cooking skills. You and your crew will work in the kitchen and help

prepare lunch on a rotating schedule

• Participate in trainings and learning opportunities across all parts of the Food &

Farm Program

What You Can Expect
Crew Members work an average of 34 hours/week, Monday-Thursday, 8:00AM to

4:30PM. Days are spent outdoors on the farm, and once a week in the kitchen.

Each day on the farm will look different but will include a mix of the following tasks:

planting, weeding, harvesting, washing vegetables, packing weekly shares, and caring

for animals.

You'll be on a crew with up to eight Members. Two Crew Leaders will work directly

with your crew every day. Sometimes your crew will work alongside other crews on

the farm, sometimes your crew will split into smaller groups. There are usually up to

six crews working on the farm at a time. There are about 60 people working on the

Farm. This group eats lunch together every day. Farm Session Crew Members are

supervised by the Farm Program Manager.

By engaging them in every step of the food-to-table process, Session Farm Crew

Members leave our program with new career aspirations to work in community health,

food security, and agriculture. They gain a wide range of career skills that prepare them

for future success in agriculture, food systems, and beyond. They develop hands-on

expertise in sustainable farming practices—from soil health and crop production to

harvest management and post-harvest processing—while also strengthening their

abilities in teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving. Members learn to manage time

effectively, adapt to changing conditions, and communicate clearly in a fast-paced,

collaborative environment. By working to deliver Health Care Shares, they also gain

valuable insight into community food systems and the social impact of their work.

Together, these skills equip VYCC members with the knowledge, confidence, and

professional experience to pursue meaningful careers in agriculture, environmental

stewardship, and community development.

What We'll Expect from You

• Work hard. You'll be outside in hot and rainy weather. Working on the farm is

challenging but can be fun too if you bring a positive attitude to your crew.

• Participate fully in your crew's daily tasks and do your best work.

• Challenge yourself by trying new experiences and ideas.

• Communicate regularly and effectively with your Crew Leaders and crew.

• Be ready to work as part of a team with people from different backgrounds

• Be open to meeting new people, working hard outdoors, giving and receiving

feedback, learning, and growing

• Turn in timesheets on time

• Take care of yourself physically, emotionally, and socially

• Follow VYCC's rules, principles, policies, and safety guidelines.

• Must be 15 years old when the job starts

Compensation & Benefits:

• Weekly stipend: $450

• Free farm lunch

• Access to fresh produce from the farm

• Environmental education and leadership development curriculum
• Resume-writing workshop and job placement support from VYCC's Sr.

Community Engagement Manager

Equal Opportunity at VYCC

If you're excited about this role, but your experience doesn't align perfectly with

everything in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be a

great candidate for another one of our openings