UVM Farmer Training Program: 2024 Seasonal Staff Positions

[Rachel Stievater]

 

Farm Assistant & Educator, University of Vermont Farmer Training Program

 

The Farmer Training Program (FTP) at The University of Vermont is seeking to fill the position of Farm Assistant/Educator. FTP is a six-month training program for aspiring farmers and food systems advocates. FTP is primarily based at the Horticulture Research and Education Center (HREC) in South Burlington, VT. The Farm Assistant and Educator will receive daily supervision and guidance from the FTP Director, with additional guidance from the HREC Director, the Catamount Educational Farm (CEF) Manager, and the CEF Program Manager.

 

This is a part-time seasonal position, requiring 35 hours per week from April 8 to October 30, 2024. The pay is $19/hour. Use the following link to submit your cover letter, resume, and contact information for two references: FTP Seasonal Position

 

We are accepting applications until January 1, 2024.

 

*note: If you don’t have a google account you won’t be able to upload your cover letter and resume. If that’s the case, please email pdfs of your cover letter, resume, and two references to me directly: Rachel.S...@uvm.edu

 

The Farm Assistant job duties will include:

Farming

• Assist in field production on 8-acre farm site, including propagation, planting, irrigation, tractor work, weeding, harvesting, and fertility management.
• Assist in management of pest, disease, and weed pressure onsite, with a focus on educating the students.
• Help lead Farmer Training and undergraduate students in field work, providing instruction and guidance throughout.
• Understand and teach harvesting techniques for the weekly farmers market and CSA.

 

Teaching and Program Support

• Help students to make connections between the lessons learned on rotations, the growing site, field trips, and classes.
• Assist in field instruction and on-farm demonstrations, with guidance from FTP Director and year-round farm staff.
• Serve as a program mentor for students.

 

Successful Candidate will have:

• At least one season of experience working on a diverse vegetable farm
• Experience in most aspects of running a farm
• Ability to multi-task and creatively problem solve
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong sense of punctuality and dependability
• Ability to delegate tasks and effectively instruct adult learners
• An enthusiasm for educating new farmers
• Ability and willingness to work in inclement weather
• Ability to lift 50 pounds regularly and perform physically demanding work
• Valid Driver’s License
• Sense of humor

 

Use the following link to apply: FTP Seasonal Position

 

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Rachel Stievater (she, her)

Farmer Training Program Director

 

Farm address:

UVM Horticulture Research and Education Center

65 Green Mountain Dr.

S.Burlington, VT

Phone: (802) 279-2920 (cell)

 

Mailing address:

Plant and Soil Science Dept.

63 Carrigan Drive, 117 Jeffords Hall

Burlington, VT 05405