Vycc Food And Farm Program Food & Nourishment Leader

VYCC Food and Farm Program Food & Nourishment Leader

VYCC's Food and 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. Further help on this page can be found by clicking here.

Member Duties : In the spring, Food & Nourishment Leaders participate in training, learn farm and leadership skills while guiding volunteer groups and completing daily farm tasks. They also start working in the commercial kitchen, familiarizing themselves with kitchen operations while creating weekly lunches to share with the farm team.

In the summer, the Food & Nourishment Leaders work with crews in the kitchen, teaching them basic cooking skills. The Food & Nourishment Leaders guide crews in the kitchen through making lunch that is then shared with everyone working on the farm. In addition to their work with crews, they also oversee the planning and organizing of three community dinners and process surplus farm produce into products sold at the farm stand or distributed in the share. In the fall, Food & Nourishment Leaders work alongside other Farm Leaders, guiding volunteers, harvesting for the Health Care Share, preparing the farm for winter, and continuing to process produce from the farm.

Program Benefits : Education award upon successful completion of service , Training , Living Allowance , Housing .

Terms :

Uniforms provided and required , Car recommended .

Service Areas :

Hunger , Education , Children/Youth , Health , Environment , Community Outreach , Community and Economic Development .

Skills :

Leadership , Team Work , Education , Youth Development , Conflict Resolution , Public Health .