Member Discussion: Farmers and Farmworkers, Side by Side

NOFA-VT members, we invite you to join us on January 21st from 7-8 pm for a virtual conversation to discuss emerging concerns regarding the rights and safety of undocumented immigrants and migrant farmworkers in Vermont. We’ll share information and resources about the challenges migrant farmworkers are likely to face under the incoming federal administration, then move into a conversation to hear from our members and discuss what we can collectively do to create safety and well-being for our neighbors.

Garden Assistant at Karme Choling Meditation Retreat Center

Contact Name
Kat Caldwell, Director of Personnel
Phone Number
802-633-2384 x 3140
Details

About Us

Karmê Chöling is a Shambhala Buddhist meditation center located in Barnet, Vermont. Established in 1970, Karmê Chöling offers mindfulness programs in a welcoming community setting for both new and experienced practitioners in Buddhist meditation. Our 460-acre property includes trails, retreat cabins, an organic garden, and a main building that hosts up to 60 residents and participants. Residential staff form the heart of our community and commit to:

  • 28 hours per week, plus 4-6 additional hours of community-related tasks, including attending weekly staff & community meetings and periodic staff trainings
  • Participating in daily meditation practice and cultivating a culture of kindness and mindfulness

Overview of the Role

Karmê Chöling’s 35-year old organic garden grows on one acre of rich, enthusiastic soil that hugs a gentle bend on the Stevens River. It feeds our community and supplies our local farm stand. 

 

The Garden Assistant will work closely with the Garden Manager to grow vegetables, flowers, herbs, shiitake mushrooms, and berries. This role is for someone with gardening experience, and a desire to live and work in a mindful, community-centered environment. This is a seasonal, full-time position from April through October. 

Responsibilities 

  • seeding and transplanting plants
  • soil preparation, weeding, and irrigation
  • turning and distributing compost
  • harvesting and washing produce 
  • contributing to a welcoming atmosphere in the garden

Qualifications

  • Some gardening experience
  • Eager to learn and deepen one’s understanding of regenerative-organic gardening methods
  • Ability to work well independently as well as in a team 
  • Comfortable with physical labor and repetitive tasks
  • Interest in spirituality and regular meditation practice
  • Flexibility with work hours, including some weekend availability

Compensation and Benefits

  • Monthly stipend, commensurate with experience
  • Room and board, daily meals, and access to shared spaces
  • 28 personal days annually
  • Free access to qualifying meditation programs and retreats
  • Dedicated support for meditation practice, including a personal Meditation Instructor
  • Generous guest policy

     

Position starts April 1, 2025.

Teen Farm Fellowship Lead

Contact Name
Kelsey Head & Ralf Carestia
Phone Number
802-785-4737
Details

The Teen Farm Fellowship at Cedar Circle Farm & Education Center is a 10-week program from June to August that provides hands-on experiences for participants to learn about small-scale diversified organic farming while gaining crucial job, team building, and leadership skills. The program splits time between on-site work at Cedar Circle as Production team members, classroom sessions, and service-based learning at other farms and organizations through the region.

About the Position

During the growing season the TFF Lead oversees the fellowship program for its duration and otherwise spends time working as a crew member for the Production Department. This allows the Lead a chance to mesh with the growing processes at Cedar Circle so that they can better guide the on-site work for the TFF program. This work includes everything from seeding, transplanting and plant care, to harvest and wash/pack.

The fellows play an important role in supporting harvest through its busiest season including strawberry and blueberry harvest and the Lead plays a key role in ensuring that harvest goals and deadlines are being met. Though a bulk of the fellows’ on-site work at Cedar Circle consists of harvest and cultivation, the opportunity will exist throughout the season for the fellows to participate in the other production aspects at Cedar Circle to gain a well rounded experience of what goes into growing vegetables, berries, and retail plants.

Outside of the growing season, from October to May, the Teen Farm Fellowship Lead will work closely with the Education Department Manager to lead or co-lead other education programs, including, but not limited to, afterschool, workshops, field trips, and early childhood education programs. This time will also be dedicated to planning for the following year’s fellowship program.

This position is full time from June to October, with reduced hours from November to May.

Read the full job description and apply: https://cedarcirclefarm.org/about/job/teen-farm-fellowship-lead

 

2025 Artisan Cheesemakers Winter Conference

Tickets are now on sale for Vermont Cheese Council's 2025 Artisan Cheesemakers Winter Conference! This year's virtual conference focuses on two deep-dive topics, each spanning a half-day with industry experts. Descriptive Sensory Analysis with Roy Deroschers will include sensory training, innovative consumer testing methods, Flavor Leadership Criteria, and the latest UVM Extension research on artisan cheese sensory quality.

Footprint Farm is hiring: field crew, high tunnel specialist, greenhouse lead

Contact Name
Taylor Mendell
Phone Number
802-318-2090
Details

Footprint Farm (Starksboro, VT) is hiring multiple positions for 2025. Our farm is small (2-3 acres depending on the time of year), diverse, and focused on providing high quality, year-round produce to our community. We run a 150+ member CSA and serve around a dozen wholesale outlets including caterers, the Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op, and restaurants. We run a low-till, mostly hands-on operation with main focuses on soil fertility, continuous improvement/learning, and supporting the people involved with our farm now and into the future.

Our team is typically made up of 5-7 individuals filling multiple roles that match their skills and interests. This year we're looking for individuals with diverse backgrounds and interests to fill multiple roles such as High Tunnel Specialist, Wholesale Liaison, CSA Liaison, IPM Assistant, Greenhouse Lead and more. Positions can be full or part time, most start in May and go through the end of October with the potential for work outside of that timeframe.

Please find full job descriptions including open roles, compensation packages, and qualifications on our website: www.footprintfarmvt.com/jobs

Farm Connex Delivery Driver and Backup Driver

Details

Warehouse Assistant/Backup Driver
POSITION SUMMARY:
This is a full-time, year-round position that is crucial to our day-to-day operations for Farm Connex, CAE’s dynamic and expansive distribution program.  CAE Farm Connex provides cold-chain freight service for farmers and food producers who may be “too small” or “too rural” to access other distribution channels. The Warehouse Assistant/Backup Driver will be responsible for supporting the Warehouse Coordinator in setting Farm Connex delivery drivers up for success each day, including ensuring inventory/product is properly loaded for deliveries, vehicles have been inspected for any issues and cleaned and sanitized, and any updates have been communicated to 1st shift operations management. The Warehouse Assistant role includes picking up products at local farms or aggregation centers (within half hour of warehouse). The Warehouse Assistant will also be required to fill in as a CAE Farm Connex Delivery Driver to complete deliveries on one of the 21+ routes completed weekly.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Skilled in organization and attention to detail
Ability to work independently and as part of a team under changing circumstances
Knowledge related to perishables warehouse and distribution
Capable of moderate to vigorous physical labor and working in cooler, freezer, outdoors
As dictated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), as required to fulfill duties specific to this role, the minimum requirements include: being age 21+ at the time of application, possessing a valid driver’s license, a clean motor vehicle record, the critical faculties required to safely operate a commercial vehicle, and ability to pass a DOT medical exam. Be able to interpret signage, converse, take instructions, and record information in written and/or spoken English.

JOB DETAILS:
Position: Farm Connex Warehouse Assistant/Backup Driver
Reports to: Food Hub Operations Manager
Schedule: 32-40 hours per week,  Sundays and evening hours are required
Compensation: Hourly rate $19.00-$22.00 based on experience, Non Exempt/regular position 
Benefits: Health Insurance and Health Savings Account, SIMPLE IRA, Employee assistance program, Employer-paid short-term disability and life insurance, phone stipend, paid time off, professional development compensation

 

Application deadline January 27, 2025. For more information and how to apply, visit our website www.caevt.org/jobs 

Knoll Farm is Hiring

Contact Name
Helen Whybrow
Details

Knoll Farm in the Mad River Valley of Vermont has been under its current ownership for 23 years. It is known for high-quality organic berries, Icelandic sheep breeding stock, and for being welcoming and always open to the public. Visitors enjoy walking trails, spectacular views, serenity, fun summer concerts, and other popular events.

Knoll Farm is also the home of The Refuge, a nationally renowned retreat center for organizers working in social and environmental justice, and the home of the Better Selves Fellowships.

We currently have several farming positions open, with some options for on-farm housing available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Open Positions:

FARM ASSISTANT
A great position for someone who can start in the spring, loves physical work and variety, and is excited to meet and interact with lots of new people.

This job involves:

  • Helping in the orchard with pruning and mulching in spring.
  • Planting and tending gardens.
  • Moving and handling the sheep flock.
  • Fixing fencelines.
  • Helping to host the many visitors to the farm.

Details:

  • Schedule: 4 days per week, from mid-April to late August.
  • Pay: $17–$19 per hour, depending on experience.

FARM STORE AND PYO MANAGER
We’re excited to train someone into this key leadership position, managing our small seasonal farm store as well as our certified organic pick-your-own (PYO) blueberry operation.

Responsibilities include:

  • Managing our farm stand.
  • Tracking inventory and sales.
  • Signage and outreach for the PYO.
  • Customer relations and wholesale accounts.

Our 2-acre blueberry PYO can attract hundreds of visitors on a weekend, and we also supply berries to a dozen local wholesale accounts. The store stocks our farm products alongside other locally sourced goods.

We’re looking for a “people person” who understands the art of selling products and loves beautiful organic food.

Details:

  • Schedule: Full-time, from June 1–September 1.
  • Pay: $20–$22 per hour.

BERRY PICKERS
This part-time, six-week role is an essential part of our operation and is perfect for someone looking to get involved on a farm while leaving time for other things. High school and college students love this job!

Responsibilities include:

  • Picking berries for our busy farm stand and many wholesale accounts and restaurants.
  • Optional add-ons: Taking shifts in the farm store or assisting with a sheep rotation.

Details:

  • Schedule: 15 hrs/week, from July 1–August 20.
  • Pay: $15–$17 per hour, depending on experience.

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to [email protected]. You can also find more details about us and apply on our website.