Application for 2023 Summer Program
After nine successful years, I am happy to inform you that the Center for Sustainable Systems at Montpelier High School will once again offer the summer program Food, Farm, and Society. This unique program offers students academic credit along with pay for the work associated with food production.
The class will meet for 20 days over the course of 4 weeks. The weeks are spread out to coincide with the work needed and the educational opportunities available as the growing season progresses.
The daily schedule is broken down into roughly 3 hours of experiential education, and 2 hours of work. This will produce 60 hours of class time (1/2 science or elective credit based on the Carnegie unit*) and 40 hours of work ($13.00/hr).
The class will meet at Montpelier High School where students have access to 2 greenhouses, a chicken coop, an aquaponics system, two beehives, an earthen oven and numerous gardens in addition to traditional academic resources. There will be field trips to nearby organic farms and food processing facilities. The class will be led by me, a certified science teacher, but will also feature special guests.
The class is being offered to students at Montpelier High School, U32, Twinfield, Northfield, Spaulding, Randolph Union and Harwood Union. Given the experiential nature of the class, I have limited it to 12 students.