At Monitor Barns Farm, we seek to teach youth about the source of their food, how it is grown, and the value of maintaining a healthy lifestyle while providing fresh produce locally and to those who are food insecure.

History and Future
In 2005, the VYCC moved into its new home at the West Monitor Barn in Richmond. Since then, the VYCC has carried on the agricultural tradition of this former dairy farm. With over 100 years of farming history on the property, the VYCC had a good place to start.

During the summer of 2007, the VYCC began the Farm & Food Program with a 1/4 acre vegetable production. In 2009, this vegetable garden grew to 1/2 acre and one CSA member.  This year also marked the beginning of a partnership with Maple Wind Farm in Huntington which began with a simple exchange – one VYCC crew for the use of their tractor. The partnership blossomed in 2010 when both organizations joined together to form Monitor Barns Farm.

Over the last three years, the farm has seen tremendous success and is poised to significantly increase production to five acres in 2011. Through our partnership with the Vermont Foodbank, the VYCC will be providing fresh produce to several food shelves in Chittenden County. Our food will also be distributed to area schools, VYCC crews, and used during many VYCC events throughout the year.

2010 Highlights
With a hard working VYCC farm crew of 4 interns, the farm coordinator, and Maple Wind Farm owners, over 40 varieties of produce were grown on 3 acres for an 80 member CSA, and close to 900 chickens were raised on the beautiful pasture behind the West Monitor Barn.

VYCC School and Conservation Crews 
In 2010, VYCC Conservation Crews, and VermontFutures School Crews helped on the farm in a variety of ways.  Through their work, corps members learned valuable skills about growing and harvesting crops, food preparation and preservation, and animal husbandry. Some of the work completed by crews included:

• Creating raised beds in greenhouse
• Seeding and watering in greenhouse
• Maintaining compost pile
• Gleaning produce to donate to food shelves
• Harvesting crops
• Making and freezing tomato sauce
• Canning pickles and beans

Food Security
We believe all members of our community should have access to fresh and healthy food. Inspired by this commitment, we have worked closely with members of the local community such as Our Community Cares Camp, Richmond Elementary School, and food shelves by providing farm tours, gleaning opportunities, and food donations. In 2010 ~3,000 pounds of produce and ~25 frozen chickens were donated to food shelves in the area. We hope to increase this number in 2011 with your help!

Farm Internships
To support Monitor Barns Farm and our mission, interns will live on-site during the 2011 Field Season. Interns will participate in all aspects of the farm including:

• Managing soil health
• Greenhouse seedling production
• Field crop planting
• Weeding, harvesting, and delivering produce
• Building and repairing new farm infrastructure
• Raising laying and broiler chickens

VYCC has a strong commitment to serving Vermont's youth and caring for the environment. We are excited to continue this commitment through the Monitor Barns Farm. Through this new endeavor, we look forward to an even deeper relationship with our land by connecting food, education, and the community.

We are now accepting Monitor Barns Farm Intern applications for the 2011 season. Interviews are expected to begin in mid-February.

Monitor Barns Farm Intern - Job Description (PDF).

For more information, please contact Harry Frank at harry.frank@vycc.org or (802) 434-3969, ext. 146.

I loved gardening! I thought about implementing a community garden into my hometown somehow so everyone could benefit from fresh veggies and a little hard work weeding! My favorite part was probably the pickling. When I got home I tried my hand at pickling beets! I can't wait to see how they turn out. Not only is gardening good for the stomach, it's therapeutic to the heart and mind. -Amber 2009 LEAP Crew

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