Vermont Youth Conservation Corps

09/01/2026

Conservation Crew 4 has been busy working across Vermont State Parks all season long!

They kicked off their season at Burton Island State Park, where they re-roofed the Marina bathroom. They also spent time in Gifford Woods State Park, where they created a new trail connecting the day-use parking lot to the Gary Salmon Interpretive Trail and the park office, helping improve accessibility for visitors.

At Coolidge State Park, the crew put their carpentry skills to work building a new lean-to. They also completed projects at Underhill State Park and Kingsland State Park, gaining hands-on experience and contributing to the care and improvement of some of Vermont’s most treasured public spaces.

From roofing and trail construction to carpentry and more, Conservation Crew 4 built an impressive range of skills while traveling across the state and making an impact everywhere they went.

Thank you, Conservation Crew 4, for your hard work, dedication, and all you accomplished this season!

08/24/2026

If you love a delicious flatbread, we've got the perfect excuse for dinner out tomorrow, Tuesday, August 25th. Join us at American Flatbread in Burlington for a meal that gives back!

Whether you dine in or order takeout, a portion of the proceeds from every small and large flatbread sold throughout the day will benefit VYCC and help support our work of bringing nutritious food to Vermont families experiencing food insecurity, improving water quality, forest health, and sustainable outdoor recreation across the state, and empowering the next generation of agricultural and conservation leaders.

We hope to see you there!🍕

08/21/2026

Another great example of the incredible work our crews are accomplishing in partnership with Vermont State Parks and Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation!

A huge thank-you to Conservation Crew 3 for your hard work, attention to detail, and dedication to making Vermont’s trails safer, more accessible, and more sustainable for everyone to enjoy.

08/20/2026

Our Crews are doing amazing work throughout the state, join us in thanking them for their hard work this summer!

A dedicated group of youth have made the park’s nature trails more enjoyable and resilient.

Over the course of several weeks, a crew from the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps:
🌳 installed 21 structures to help prevent erosion on the Blow-Me-Down and Return Trails
🌳 removed eight sections of bog bridge and moved beams that weighed more than 450 pounds to build the new wooden walkways
🌳cleared the remains of a wooden bridge along the Ravine Trail that was damaged by a falling tree and completed a replacement bridge that once again provides visitor access to the historic swimming hole used by the Saint-Gaudens family

During their last day working at the park, the crew hosted their own “ribbon cutting” for the new bridge using their own trail building equipment. Take a walk on the newly improved trail system thanks to the work of this intrepid group from the Vermont Youth Conservation Corp. To learn more about the park’s trails, visit https://www.nps.gov/saga/planyourvisit/recreational-trails.htm

📷 NPS/M. Zingler

08/06/2026

Our Food & Farm Production Crew’s days start bright and early, and no two days are quite the same. One day they're planting produce starts, the next they're weeding, harvesting fresh vegetables, or washing and packing the produce they helped grow.

Since beginning their service on May 18th, this crew has poured their energy, dedication, and care into every corner of the Farm. As they wrap up their season next Friday, August 14th, we're reflecting on all they've accomplished and feeling incredibly grateful.

Thank you Production Crew, for your hard work, commitment, and the lasting impact you've made this season. We'll miss seeing you on the Farm each day, and we're cheering you on as you head to your next adventure!

07/30/2026

Ever wonder what work our youth crews are doing this summer?

Right now, our Woodstock Youth Crew is hard at work at Marsh-Billings- Rockefeller National Historical Park, replacing two bridge decks along the Pogue Brook Trail. 🔨🌲🪵

Every board they install helps keep the trail safe, accessible, and enjoyable for everyone who visits.

Thank you Woodstock Youth Crew, for making a lasting impact on Vermont's public lands!

07/28/2026

Last week, our Food & Farm crews were busy harvesting one of our summer favorites: beans!

Harvest days are always exciting because they mark the moment months of hard work, planting, cultivating, and weeding finally pay off. But picking beans isn't as simple as grabbing every pod you see. The best beans are about the width of a pencil, with smooth sides and just the right amount of snap. Harvest them too early or too late, and you miss that perfect texture and flavor.

Want to taste some delicious beans harvested by VYCC Corps Members? Stop by the VYCC Farmstand (open 7 days a week from 10am–6pm) and pick up some of our freshly harvested beans and other seasonal produce.

We'd also love to see what you're creating in your kitchen! If you've made a meal using produce from our farmstand, send us a DM or tag us in your photos. There's nothing better than seeing the produce our Members grow become part of meals shared around the table. We can't wait to see what you're cooking!

07/27/2026

Join us on Thursday September 24th for our Fifth Annual Community Harvest Dinner!

Gather with friends, family, neighbors, and the VYCC community to enjoy a farm-fresh meal, live music, lawn games, and the beauty of the farm at the height of the harvest season.

The evening will include appetizers, music, and opportunities to explore the farm before settling in for a delicious dinner featuring produce grown on the Farm at VYCC.

All proceeds from the event will benefit VYCC's Health Care Share, Vermont's largest produce prescription program, which provides weekly shares of fresh, locally grown food to more than 400 households experiencing food insecurity and managing diet-related health conditions.

Learn more and buy tickets here: https://www.vycc.org/event-2026-community-harvest-dinner/

07/23/2026

Meet VYCC’s Advanced Trails Crew!🥾

This crew is currently serving at Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park working to prevent erosion by building a bridge on the Ravine Trail, as well as learning techniques in winching, tree removal, and building steps

The crew is on week 3 of 4 in Cornish New Hampshire, helping make the Ravine Trail safer, and increasingly resilient. Join us in thanking the Advanced Trails Crew for all their hard work, and we hope you all can enjoy Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park this summer!