You are viewing a preview of this job. Log in or register to view more details about this job.

Farmer In Training AmeriCorps

Team Up
Email

Farmer In Training AmeriCorps Member


 

Program Overview: Team Up AmeriCorps places AmeriCorps members at organizations throughout Southwest Colorado. While these members serve as part of a regional cohort and participate in regional cohort trainings and activities, they spend the majority of their term serving directly at a specific host site organization. Through collaborative service, Team Up AmeriCorps members develop their own professional skills and passions, expand effectiveness of southwest Colorado organizations, and ultimately support people to thrive. Team Up has been utilizing collective impact initiatives since 2015 to collaborate across sectors and promote communication towards common goals within rural Southwest Colorado communities.


 

While all Team Up AmeriCorps members gain experience and professional development during their term, some positions place an additional emphasis on developing members’ professional skills in a specific field during their Term of Service. These positions are part of Team Up AmeriCorps’ Workforce Track (WF). WF members may be required to meet additional qualifications and/or requirements to qualify for and complete these positions. WF members can expect to receive robust field-specific training and obtain field-specific credentials during their Term of Service. Upon successful completion, WF members will be equipped to begin their career and continue supporting people to thrive through their gain field-specific skills.


 

The Farmer Training Program at the Old Fort is a growing and multi-faceted answer to farmer training in the Four Corners region. Welcoming everyone from college interns for brief summer experiences to incubator farmers ready to start a business, the Old Fort offers good (and challenging) growing conditions, supportive staff, a lively farming community, and rich resources for high elevation market farming. Located 25 minutes from Durango or Mancos, and 45 minutes from Farmington, NM, the Old Fort is a 6,000 acre property that is also managed for wildlife conservation and for cattle and hay production. Managed by Fort Lewis College, the land is owned by the State Land Board. 


 

Service Position Summary: The FIT AC member completes the Farmer Training Program and takes on additional duties for a full-time, six month immersion in farming and food security initiatives. 


 

Essential Functions (Primary Responsibilities): Through hands-on-service, Team Up AmeriCorps members engage with organizations to develop, implement, and enhance programs, projects, and activities that develop their own skills, expand effectiveness of southwest Colorado organizations, and support local people to thrive. These duties include:


 

​​Duties and Responsibilities:

   

  • Participate fully in the Farmer In Training (FIT) Program: Farmers-in-training (FITs) gain hands-on experience growing vegetables at high elevation. Through morning field work and afternoon classes and field trips, the FIT Program provides a strong foundation for aspiring and beginning farmers. FITs work with program staff to tend about two acres of vegetables, learning new and traditional skills and techniques vital to farming at high elevation. FITs join the Old Fort staff and program partners in a network committing to supporting beginning farmers through incubator and land access opportunities, business planning, and community support. Program graduates will have completed: six farming courses, 240 hours of work in the fields, and at least eight field trips to regional farms. The FIT Program runs Tuesday - Thursday. FIT Participants may miss three field days and two classes during the duration of the program (illness/emergency not counted against these days). 
  • Additionally, the FIT AC members will take on additional duties and responsibilities on Mondays and Fridays, as assigned, including:
    • Coordinating food donations
    • Assisting with field production
    • Creating and posting social media content
    • Writing CSA or Farmer Training Newsletter content
    • Cleaning and stocking the Country Store
    • Completing deliveries to food assistance organizations
    • Assisting with FIT Program classes
    • Assisting with educational and community outreach events
    • Helping to plan and implement the Farmer Training Convergence
    • Manage blue corn processing and distribution
    • Assist with community outreach
    • Service projects with related organizations
    • Additional projects and tasks aimed at expanding the Old Fort and partner agencies food security initiatives 


 

Physical, Emotional, and Intellectual Demands:

  • Willingness to learn, adapt, and grow in a position
  • Ability to serve independently, take initiative, and be motivated by the projects they are doing
  • Compassion and awareness: self-awareness, awareness of cultural differences, social differences and understanding of implicit bias


 

Desired Qualifications:

  • Ethic of national and community service and a strong desire to create positive change
  • Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; computer literate
  • High School Graduate required (GED accepted,) college graduate or equivalent work experience preferred
  • Ability to pass criminal history check
  • Reliable transportation & proof of auto insurance
  • U.S. Citizenship or lawful permanent resident status required  
  • Individuals with lived experience are encouraged to apply
  • Prior experience in and/or passion for farming and food production
  • Good driving record


 

Term of Service - Time Commitment & Program Schedule:

This is a national Half-Time national and community service position requiring, at a minimum, a total of 900 hours during the year (approximately 40 hours/week.) The position begins early May 2026 and ends November 15, 2026. Flexible hours are required, including occasional weekend commitments. 


 

Service on the following dates is required (note that dates are subject to change): 

  • May 6: Team Up AmeriCorps Member and FIT Orientation
  • May 12-14: FIT Orientation
  • May 19 - June 25: FIT Session 1
  • June 26 - July 6: FIT Break, decreased hours/opportunity for time-off as approved
  • July 7 - August 13: FIT Session 2
  • August 14 - August 24:  FIT Break, decreased hours/opportunity for time-off as approved
  • August 28-29: Tentative Convergence (Friday/Saturday)
  • August 25 - October 1:  FIT Session 3
  • October 2 - November 15: FIT AC season wrap-up


 

Training and Support Provided:

Team Up AmeriCorps members receive significant training and experience in community engagement, project implementation, leadership, diverse populations, and more. Up to 20% of total hours served may be spent in applicable, approved trainings. Members will be supervised and supported by Site Supervisor Beth LaShell, lashell_b@fortlewis.edu, as well as by Team Up AmeriCorps Program staff.

Location and Service Conditions:

This position is based at 18683 Highway 140, Hesperus, CO 81326. Occasional off site engagement and partnership activities, meetings, etc. 


 

Benefits:

  • A living allowance of approx. $1,384.62/per pay period (twice per month). Taxes are deducted and the living allowance is distributed by direct deposit to the member’s bank account.
  • An education award of $3,697.50 upon successful completion of term of service.
  • It is possible to temporarily postpone repayment of qualified student loans through forbearance while serving as an AmeriCorps member
  • Mileage reimbursement for travel to required AmeriCorps trainings
  • Non-tangible benefits including extensive training, valuable experience, networking, and the opportunity to serve the local community in a crucial area of need
  • Access to free vegetables, based on seasonal availability
  • Full participation in/completion of the Farmer Training Program
    • Option to obtain the Farmer-in-Training Certificate within the Regenerative Food Systems program, if courses are taken for credit through Fort Lewis College
  • Low-cost housing may be available at the Old Fort


 

Diversity and Equal Opportunity: Team Up values the diversity of our community.  In principle and in practice the diverse nature of our board, staff, and volunteers is recognized as one of our best assets.  We respect each individual’s unique gifts and prohibit unfair or discriminatory practices against anyone because of age, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, gender, sexual orientation, and any other protected category.


 

To Apply:

Your application can be submitted through Workday through the Fort Lewis College website: https://www.fortlewis.edu/the-old-fort/learn/farmers-in-training 

 

For questions about AmeriCorps or this program, reach out to Team Up AmeriCorps Coordinator Anne Poirot @ annep@teamupsw.org. If reaching out about this program between 12/12/2025 and 1/05/2026, please contact Lynn Urban, President and CEO of Team Up at lynnu@teamupsw.org for more information.