Organic Farm Apprenticeship Director

Farm To Plate; Vermont; On-site; USD 46,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical & dental insurance

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Disability & life insurance

Simple IRA

Paid time off and sick time

One-week staff closure in November

Produce from the VYCC farm stand

Job summary

Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC) is seeking a Farmer Training Manager to lead farm pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs, integrating learning and mentorship into our certified organic vegetable farm operations.

The role requires hands-on farming experience, teaching ability, and a passion for helping youth grow into skilled farmers. Based at our Richmond, VT campus, the position offers a collaborative team environment and opportunities to build industry partnerships.

Qualifications

• Three or more years of professional farming experience.
• Experience teaching, training, mentoring, or supervising emerging farmers, young adults, apprentices, interns, or employees.
• Experience developing or implementing training programs, curriculum, competency-based learning, apprenticeships, or workforce development programs preferred.
• Strong communication, organization, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to set clear expectations and provide mentorship and support.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with farmers, educational institutions, and community partners.
• Commitment to an inclusive, supportive, and accessible learning environment for participants with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and learning styles.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation, and ongoing management of VYCC’s farm pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs.
• Develop training plans, assessments, lesson plans, skill checklists, and instructional materials that combine hands-on production experience with related technical instruction.
• Coordinate classroom sessions, farm visits, and other learning opportunities with VYCC staff and external partners.
• Support instruction in crop planning, soil health, propagation, planting, cultivation, irrigation, pest management, harvest and post-harvest handling, equipment operation, organic production, food safety, and recordkeeping.
• Supervise, coach, and mentor farm pre-apprentices and apprentices through regular check-ins, progress assessments, and individualized support.
• Help participants build confidence, leadership, communication, and workplace skills, connecting them with supportive services when barriers to participation arise.
• Support participants in transitioning to employment, further education, farm apprenticeships, or other opportunities.
• Work with Rural Vermont and other agricultural partners to develop a network of host farms and employers that can provide graduates with further training and employment.
• Maintain awareness of agricultural career opportunities across Vermont.
• Collaborate with the Senior Community Engagement Manager to track participant outcomes and maintain alumni relationships.

Skills

Farming experience

Mentoring

Curriculum design

Communication

Relationship building

Education

Degree in agriculture or related field

Job description

Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (VYCC) is seeking a Farmer Training Manager to lead farm pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs, integrating learning and mentorship into our certified organic vegetable farm operations.

The role requires hands-on farming experience, teaching ability, and a passion for helping youth grow into skilled farmers. Based at our Richmond, VT campus, the position offers a collaborative team environment and opportunities to build industry partnerships.