Sustainable Agriculture Instructor

Lyndon Institute seeks a passionate and innovative instructor to lead our Sustainable Agriculture and Food Production program. This position is full time, reports directly to our Director of CTE, and will have a start date of August 2025 for our 2025/2026 school year. Our program combines hands-on learning with science-based education to prepare students for careers in the field of sustainable and diversified agriculture. Students will gain a strong foundation in areas including: - Food systems, including Vermont’s food hubs and Farm to School programming - Entrepreneurship and agribusiness - Plant science and animal science - Greenhouse and maple sugaring operations - Sustainable agricultural practices - Agricultural mechanics and construction Learning lab spaces include a greenhouse, sugarhouse, and botany lab, and expand programming onto local farmland. The successful candidate will guide students in the following areas: - Student leadership and ownership: Students will have a strong voice in program operations and develop essential life skills like responsibility and critical thinking. - Business and entrepreneurship: Students will learn the skills needed to succeed in the agricultural industry, including business planning and marketing. The classroom and greenhouse will become a functioning model business. - Agricultural infrastructure and careers: Students will gain a deep understanding of Vermont's agricultural landscape and explore career opportunities. - Student Organizations: Students will participate in Future Farmers of America, and compete at the state and national level in a variety of categories. - College and career readiness: Students will have the opportunity to earn college credits through Fast Forward Dual Enrollment programs and Industry Recognized Credentials, following the State of Vermont’s CTE framework. The Ideal Candidate: - Has significant professional agriculture experience - Possesses strong teaching and communication skills - Enjoys working with students in a supportive hands-on learning environment - Is passionate about agriculture and environmental stewardship - Holds a Vermont CTE Agricultural and Natural Resources teaching license, or is able to obtain licensure through the state’s CTE Teacher Preparation program. Lyndon Institute pays most licensing costs. Responsibilities: - Continue to develop and implement a sustainable agriculture curriculum that directly leads students to technical and academic growth and post-secondary pathways. - Provide instruction on a variety of agricultural topics through hands-on, experiential learning - Supervise and mentor student work in greenhouse, farm, and sugarwoods settings. - Help students develop and implement business plans directly related to their agricultural studies. - Integrate safety protocols into all aspects of the program - Collaborate with industry partners to provide students with real-world experiences - Foster a positive and inclusive learning environment