AmeriCorps Post-Harvest Leader

Food & Farm: AmeriCorps Post-Harvest Leader

Location: Richmond, Vermont

Dates: March 16, 2026 – October 23, 2026

Weekly compensation (housing included): $565

Weekly compensation (housing not included): $685

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 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 in the power that food has 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 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.

X

AmeriCorps Member Initial

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

Corps Network.

Who We're Looking For

A successful Post-Harvest Leader is a motivated, adaptable individual who approaches

challenges with a positive attitude and a commitment to personal and professional growth.

They are passionate about food access, sustainable agriculture, and public service. The ideal

candidate is organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable working with numbers, and can work

independently with minimal supervision as well as collaboratively with others. They are eager

to grow their leadership skills while contributing to a mission-driven program.

What You Can Expect

The VYCC farming season starts in March. 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, Leaders develop their management skills by leading

volunteer groups through farm tasks.

During the Spring season, the Post-Harvest Leader will be heavily involved in plant

propagation and greenhouse work. Summer season starts at the end of May. At this time, the

Post-Harvest Leader oversees the wash-pack station. They will ensure that crops coming out of

the field are high quality, clean, and ready for distribution. With support from Farm Staff,

they also help lead the weekly packing of the Health Care Shares and help deliver those shares

across Vermont. In the fall, the Post-Harvest Leader works alongside the Leader cohort and

volunteer groups in handling storage crops, harvesting for the Health Care Share, and

preparing the farm for winter.

Leaders serve an average of 40–45 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Every day

includes a half-hour lunch break that is not counted toward AmeriCorps service hours. The

exact schedule varies with the season, including early morning starts during the peak

summer months. The Post-Harvest Leader schedule typically runs Monday–Tuesday from

6:30AM–3:30PM, Wednesday–Thursday from 7:45AM–4:45PM, and Friday from 8:00AM–

3:00PM. Occasional evening and weekend hours are required for chores, Health Care Share

deliveries, or campus events. Leaders spend most of their time outdoors, working with their

team while also engaging with community members and VYCC staff. The Post-Harvest

Leader is supervised by the Community Health Manager and serves daily at VYCC's farm in

Richmond, Vermont.

By engaging them in every step of the food-to-table process, the Post Harvest Leader leaves

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. Leaders 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

Post-Harvest Responsibilities

• Oversee all post-harvest activities, including washing, packing, quality control, food

safety, inventory management, and record keeping

• Teach, lead and oversee program participants and groups of volunteers in post-harvest

activities and Health Care Share packing

• Maintain organized and safe post-harvest facilities, tools, and equipment

• Maintain detailed records and inventory for Health Care Share, food program, farm

stand, wholesale, and produce donation

• Work with local gleaning partners to facilitate weekly pickups

Farm Responsibilities

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

same

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

• Participate in all aspects of farm work including:

• Seeding, transplanting, weeding, harvesting

• Washing and packing produce for distribution

• Caring for livestock

Crew Support

• Create crew culture that prioritizes physical and emotional safety

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

as they navigate challenges and successes

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
• Engage with VYCC staff on setting goals and chartering personal and professional

progress through mid-term and end-term performance evaluations with supervisor

• Participate in a variety of trainings, including VYCC and AmeriCorps Orientations and

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

number of member hours

Required Qualifications

• Be 20 years of age or older
• 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.

The member will have access to vulnerable populations

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

as part of their service-year successful completion requirement

• Commitment to VYCC's mission, including the Health Care Share project

• Commitment to the mission of AmeriCorps

• 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: $565/week

• Non-residential members living off-site: $685/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 and CPR certification through American Safety and Health

Institute

Have questions about the position? Feel free to reach out to...

Katie Colatch, Food & Farm Program Manager

Email:

Phone: 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 23– October 23, 2026