Farmer Training Program (Old Fort)

Durango, CO - USA

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: Yesterday

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Position Summary:

The Farmer Training Program focuses on three areas: running a productive farm providing an educational experience for Farmers-in- training (FITs) and providing a space for reconciliation and healing. As the core participants in our programs 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. The program runs from May 12 to October 1st. FIT-AmeriCorps positions will run from May 1 through November 15th and include both the FIT program and additional service related to Food Security. These positions are approximately 40 hour per week commitment requiring 900 total service hours. Please indicate in the questionnaire which type of FIT position you are applying for.

Job Description:

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
FITsare expected to follow the schedule and attendance policy and show up for field work and classes.

Program graduates will have completed:

Six farming coursesrequired;Oneadditionalone available

Up to240 hoursof work in the fields

At least eight field trips to regional farms

Program Schedule:

Work and class schedules require a 24-hour/week addition to the two breaksFITsareallowedthree excused absences from the field work and two excused absences from the classes.

Orientation May 12 13 14 (required)

Session 1: May 19 June 25

Break June 26 July 6

Session 2: July 7 August 13

Farmer Training Convergence August 28-29 (required)

Break August 14 August 24

Session 3: August 25 October1

CurrentFLCstudents or those interested in taking the FIT courses for credit and obtaining the FIT Certificate must register for ENV 140 ENV 141 ENV 142 ENV 143 and ENV 340 (optional: ENV 144 and ENV 240).Scholarships are available and will be a later part of the process of being admitted to the program.

FITsare responsible forcourse fees of $2940(students) or $2400 (non-students); full and partial scholarships are available and will be a later part of the process of being admitted to the program.

Required Education SpecializedSkillsand Experience:

Interest in farming and food systems

Interest in gaining experience working collaboratively as part of a team

Interest in using Slack messages for farm communication

Reports To / Supervisory Responsibility:

Reports to the Farmer Training Program Coordinatorand Production Coordinator.

Work Environment:

The workenvironmentcharacteristics described here are representative of those that an employee can expect while performing the essential functions of this job.Reasonableaccommodationsmay be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is primarily conducted outside in all weather

Work may occur in heat cold snow rain wind and other extreme weather conditions.

Physical Demands:The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function.

While performing the duties of this job the employeeis regularly requiredtostandsit;talk hear and use hands and fingers to perform fine motor functions such as weeding harvesting packing gripping typing texting and operating tools.

The employeeis required tolift at least 40 pounds.

On a daily basis the marketleadmust perform actions such as lifting stooping kneeling crouching and reaching.

Travel:

Less than 5% is expected for this position.

FLSA Status/ Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

Exempt from State Classified System

AmeriCorpsVolunteers will work approximately40 hoursper week from May 1 through November 15th

Non-AmeriCorpsFITS will work up to14hours of work/week per the schedule above

Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday 8:00am to 4:00pm

Compensation

AmeriCorpsFITswill receive $2769/month stipend for approximately40 hoursper week work plus an education award of $3697.50 upon successful completion of term of service (900 hours)

Non-Americorp FITS will receiveup to$238per work week stipend forup to 14hours/week plus fringe benefits which includeworkerscomp and retirement.

Separately from the hourly rateFITsmay be eligible for living stipends to support their participation in the program (up to $500/month). This will be addressed laterin the process of beingadmitted to the program.

A complete application packet includes:

Complete application questions

Resume

Names and contact information for three current professional references

Apply by February 2 2026 for a decision by February 16 2026

The successful candidate willbe requiredtosubmitoriginal official college transcripts and pass a background check.

About Fort Lewis College:

On a sage-brushed mesa overlooking downtown Durango and the La Plata Mountains Fort Lewis College is Southwest Colorados premier public undergraduate research institution. With more than half of the 3300 students identifying as people of color FLCs academic programming and campus life thrive on nurturing safe diverse spaces for intellectual exploration and helping people achieve their career goals. A Native American-serving Non-Tribal Institution FLC is committed to promoting economic development in neighboring tribal communities and connecting students with the education they need to be the change in the world they want to see. Degree programs span the arts business education health sciences humanities and social and natural sciences. Coursework builds on the natural cultural and historical resources found around the Four Corners region. Students work closely with faculty on research projects with real-world implications. Like the mountain town it resides in FLC promotes a culture of work-life balance for students faculty and staff. Skyhawks enjoy unparalleled access to a healthy outdoor lifestyle thanks to 300 days of sunshine a year and more than 300 miles of hiking and biking trails in and around Durango

Notice to Prospective Employees:
The Fort Lewis College is required by theCleryAct of 1990 to notify prospective employees current employees students and applicants where to access our Campus Security Report. The report is updated and published annually in accordance with the Higher Education Amendments of 1998 Federal Student Right-to-Know the Federal Drug-free Schools and Campuses Act of 1989. This report contains information about:

Fort Lewis Colleges alcohol and other drug policy
Sexual assault policy
Campus security policies
Campus/community resources
The Colorado Riot Offense Statute restriction on enrollment
Where to find registered sex offender information
Crime statistics for the previous three calendar years
Reporting crimes

The Campus Security Report can be accessed in two ways:
By going to the internet website at: Fort Lewis College Student Affairs Office will also provide a paper copy of the annual security report upon request. You can reach them at .

Equal Opportunity
Fort Lewis College does not discriminate on the basis of race age color religion national origin sex* disability sexual orientation gender identity gender expression family or domestic status political beliefs veteran status pregnancy or genetic information. Accordingly equal opportunity for employment shall be extended to all persons. The College shall promote equal opportunity equal treatment and affirmative action efforts to increase the diversity of students faculty and staff. The College is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment. To file a report get resources read policies or make an appointment See Questions

Office of Compliance and Community Standards
David Pirrone Director of Compliance
210 Berndt Hall
1000 Rim Drive
Durango Colorado 81301

Questions about Title IX sex discrimination
Office of the Title IX Coordinator
Madeleine Gillman Assistant Director of Compliance and Title IX Coordinator
210 Berndt Hall
1000 Rim Drive
Durango Colorado 81301

Information about Fort Lewis Colleges alcohol and drug policy sexual assault policy campus security policies campus crime statistics fire safety procedures and fire statistics and campus/community resources can be found in the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. Hard copies are available upon request.

* Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Part 106 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex including in admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and CFR 106 to Fort Lewis College may be directed to FLCs Title IX Coordinator and/or to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education.

ADAA Accommodations
Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation please contact Kristin Polens by phone or email at least five business days before the assessment date to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation. You may be asked to provide additional information including medical documentation regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date.

Required Experience:

Position Summary:The Farmer Training Program focuses on three areas: running a productive farm providing an educational experience for Farmers-in- training (FITs) and providing a space for reconciliation and healing. As the core participants in our programs FITs gain hands-on experience growing vege...