AmeriCorps Farm Crew Leader

Food & Farm: AmeriCorps Farm Crew Leader
Location: Richmond, Vermont

Dates: March 19, 2025 – October 24, 2025

Weekly compensation (housing included): $551

Weekly compensation (housing not included): $664

AmeriCorps Education Award: $5,176.50

Age requirement: 20

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

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—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.

These projects are made possible through VYCC's partnership with AmeriCorps and

SerVermont.

Who We’re Looking For

A successful Farm Crew Leader is someone who strives to support their crew, faces challenges

with a positive attitude, and works toward personal and professional growth. We look for

hard-working individuals who will demonstrate their passion for food access and public

service through a commitment to VYCC’s mission. They will bring experience or interest in

developing skills in teaching, mentoring, or group facilitation.

What You Can Expect

The VYCC farming season starts in March. Farm Leaders operate as a cohort that collaborates

closely throughout the spring, building hands-on skills and knowledge of VYCC farm systems.

Prior to the start of summer season, Farm Leaders develop their leadership skills by guiding

volunteer groups through hands-on farm tasks.

Summer season starts at the end of May. At this time, Farm Crew Leaders meet their Summer

Co-Leader. Together, they complete leadership training in preparation for June when Farm

Crew Members arrive.

Throughout the summer, Farm Crew Leaders and the Summer Co-Leader guide Crew

Members through the daily work of growing food on the farm. Through their collaboration,

Farm Crew Leaders and Summer Co-Leaders mentor Crew Members and facilitate hands-on

learning opportunities for the crew. Members of the crew are youth or young adults, ranging

from 15-19 years of age.

Come fall, Farm Leaders return to their original cohort leading volunteer groups, harvesting

for the Health Care Share, and preparing the farm for winter.

Farm Crew Leaders will serve an average of 40– 45 hours/week, Monday-Friday. Exact hours
change with the season, including early morning starts during peak summer season. Hours
will typically be between 7:45am–4:45pm. There are occasional evening and weekend hours
allocated for chores, driving the Community Shuttle, or campus events.

Farm Crew Leaders spend most of their time outdoors, working with their crew while also
interacting with community members and VYCC staff. They serve daily at VYCC’s farm,
located in Richmond, Vermont.

What We’ll Expect from You

Farm Responsibilities

• Participate in all aspects of farm work including:

• Work hard in all types of weather and environments, motivating Members to do the

• Support the weekly packing and delivery of Health Care Shares, free

experiencing barriers to healthy food

• Follow and uphold VYCC principles and practices to maintain a safe

Crew Leading

• Work closely with and build supportive leadership with a Summer Co-Leader

• Create a crew culture that prioritizes physical and emotional safety

• Foster teamwork among Crew Members, lead by example, and support Crew Members

• Conduct 1:1 check-ins with Crew Members to support their engagement with the

• Instruct Crew Members on all aspects of farm work

• Drive a Community Shuttle that transports Crew Members based in Chittenden County

• Design and facilitate a weekly enrichment activity that supports Crew Members’

Communication, Reporting, & Training

• Communicate effectively with members of the Farm Team, including using Microsoft

Teams and Outlook

• Complete forms related to their service including timesheets due biweekly on Fridays
• Advocate for the needs of Crew Members and report to VYCC staff on incidents from

additional enrichment activities. These training hours will not exceed 20% of the total
number of member hours

• Attend SerVermont events

Required Qualifications

• Be at least 20 years of age
• Be a U.S. citizen, a national, or legal permanent resident non-citizen of the U.S.
• Have not been convicted of murder or sexual assault and be willing to undergo a

National Service Criminal History Check and a VT Agency of Human Services check.
Crew Leaders will be working with vulnerable populations.

• Be a high school graduate or have a GED certificate, or be willing to work towards GED

• Commitment to VYCC’s mission, including the Health Care Share project
• Commitment to the mission of AmeriCorps and SerVermont
• Valid driver’s license with good driving record for at least three years (preferred)
  

Compensation & Benefits

• AmeriCorps Living Allowance paid biweekly:

• Residential members living in on-site housing: $551/week

• Non-residential members living off-site: $664/week

• Segal Education Award upon completion of service: $5,176.50

• Access to fresh produce from the farm and daily lunch during the summer

• Potential for shared housing for the duration of service

• Organizational dedication to professional development

• Career pathways support during and after the VYCC experience provided by the

Community Engagement Manager

• Potential eligibility for student loan forbearance and interest payment

• Potential to earn up to 12 free college credits

• Receive Basic First Aid through American Red Cross
  

Have questions about the position? Feel free to reach out to...
Katie Colatch, Food & Farm Program Manager
Email: Katie.Robertson@vycc.org
Phone: (802) 434-3969 Ext. 128

Equal Opportunity at VYCC
Are you concerned that you don’t meet all the requirements of this position? Please apply
anyway. VYCC is dedicated to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible work
environment that fosters a sense of belonging – so if you’re excited about this role but your
experience doesn’t align perfectly with everything in this job description, we encourage you to
apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our
openings!

Terms of Service and Dates of Service:

1200 Hour (three-quarter-time) term from March 19 – October 24, 2025