VYCC Farm & Food Program
The 2025 growing season for the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps Food and Farm program has begun! Five Leaders arrived at the farm in late March and are now working to ready the land for planting. They are also preparing for the arrival of around 65 more young people who will help grow organic produce, care for chickens, and distribute weekly food shares to 500 families across Vermont. Together, they’ll grow and share over 75,000 pounds of healthy, local food this year.
Participants on the farm learn every aspect of the growing process including how to care for crops, soil and animals; to use a variety of tools and farming techniques; and how to transform their harvests into nutritious meals. Additionally, corps members learn about sustainable farming practices that maintain soil health and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Many farm corps members serve at VYCC through the SerVermont AmeriCorps program.
Farm leaders work to secure the new high tunnel metal structure.
Over the last year VYCC has invested in infrastructure that will expand the training and growing opportunities on the farm. Last season, VYCC build crews built a five-bay timber framed tractor barn. This 60’ facility provides much needed space for storage and training, including equipment maintenance and hand and power tool use training, and critical shelter and safety areas for crews out in the field. Additionally, the farm leaders are currently building a new high tunnel. This 96’ long structure will provide a protected growing area where farm crews can experiment with new crops, as well as increase production of much beloved veggies like tomatoes!
The VYCC Farm & Food program provides tremendous learning opportunities for young adults seeking experience in sustainable farming. In fact, 95% of leaders and members felt their experience on the farm helped them develop skills for future employment. Additionally, many corps’ members share how impactful it is to be part of a larger community working on the land to feed others.
“This experience has validated my goals and plans to continue working in sustainable agriculture. The people here have shown me that it’s a very possible and worthwhile path to follow. I feel so inspired and supported.”- 2024 Food & Farm Corps Member
Food and Farm alumni pursue careers in a variety of related fields after their time at VYCC. Many build careers in food systems, farming, maple production, and education. Employers like Runamok Maple, Vermont Compost, the Vermont Food Bank, Trilium Hill Farm, and Sweet Roots Farm see value in the training VYCC provides and have hired program alums.
If you are interested in learning more about VYCC’s Food and Farm program, check out their website at www.vycc.org or reach out to Senior Community Engagement Manager Bo Malcolm (bo.malcolm@vycc.org) to schedule a call!