- Operation Recovery, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, dairy farm families of Agri-Mark, Cabot Creamery Cooperative, and Liberty Hill Farm are leading the Grow America Farm Corps initiative.
- The initiative aims to address Vermont’s farm labor shortages by fostering collaboration among local farmers, new Americans, and supporting partners.
- Farmers with employment opportunities can match with new Americans seeking agricultural training and mentorship.
- Partners assist in placing and transitioning participants who gain housing through on-farm living spaces, professional skills development, and community.
- The initiative aims to enhance job accessibility and prioritize housing support within the state.
- Over 40 new American families are participating in the initiative, with interest growing among the state’s farmers and new Americans.
Vermont is implementing the Grow America Farm Corps initiative to address farm labor shortages by fostering collaboration among local farmers, new Americans, and supporting partners. The initiative aims to match farmers with new Americans seeking agricultural training and mentorship, and assist in placing and transitioning participants who gain housing through on-farm living spaces, professional skills development, and community. Participants can also access job placement assistance in agricultural manufacturing. Between January 2012 and October 2023, nearly half of Vermont’s dairy farms closed their doors. The Grow America Farm Corps aims to combine on-ground wisdom with online resources to enhance job accessibility and prioritize housing support within the state. Over 40 new American families fleeing hardship abroad are participating in the initiative, launched in late 2023. Interest among Vermont’s farmers and new Americans is growing as the initiative expands. To host a family, register to view available employment opportunities, donate, or learn more about the Grow America Farm Corps, visit https://GrowAmericaFarmCorps.org.
