Vermont Business Magazine Rural Vermont has a constant presence at Vermont State University (VTSU), where four of its five campuses are located on the hilltops and vistas around smaller Vermont towns.
And, the Vermont Rural Learning Collective (VRLC) is housed within the university’s Academic Support and Educational Opportunity Programs. Its goal is to support AmeriCorps members with a living allowance and professional development through a $386,780 grant from SerVermont for the 2025–2026 program year.
The program primarily serves Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom — Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans Counties — as well as rural counties surrounding the university’s campuses, including Lamoille, Orange, Rutland, and Washington Counties.
VRLC’s mission is rooted in the realities facing rural Vermont communities. Vermont remains the most rural state in the nation, with 65% of residents living in rural communities and 76% of high school students attending rural schools. These communities continue to experience challenges related to geographic isolation, limited employment opportunities, and limited public resources, contributing to disparities in education, food access, and workforce capacity.
VRLC AmeriCorps members work to strengthen the capacity of community-based nonprofits by supporting educational programming and essential services for rural and underserved learners of all ages. Members address critical community needs such as food insecurity through farm-to-school education, local food access initiatives, community garden development, and nutrition programs that promote long-term community health. Members also assist host sites with volunteer engagement, outreach and marketing efforts, disaster relief support, and public land stewardship initiatives that contribute to community well-being.
Melanie Campinini, serving at Maplehill School & Farm stated, “Maplehill sources approximately 60% of its food either on-site or locally from farms in the surrounding area. Through my contributions on the farm, I help source hot lunch every day for students and staff at Maplehill, many of which do not have reliable access to food and prepared meals.”
Recently, the VRLC team welcomed staff from SerVermont to a collaborative AmeriCorps member team meeting in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. The gathering provided an opportunity for SerVermont representatives and AmeriCorps members to reflect on the meaningful impact members are making through their service at host sites including Green Mountain Farm-to-School, Maplehill School & Farm, Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium, and NorthWoods Stewardship Center, while also discussing members’ future goals and plans for life after AmeriCorps.
By the end of the current academic year, VRLC AmeriCorps members will have help expand the reach, effectiveness, and efficiency of host site programs, like Maplehill Farm & School, while increasing food security and educational opportunities for rural communities across Vermont. Members are also expected to leverage approximately 20 community volunteers who will support educational programming, community outreach, and food support activities.
Campinini added, “I have collaborated with over 10 different local non-profits in the area to organize potential service opportunities for students.”
Program Director, Derek Kim, stated, “through our AmeriCorps members, over 4,000 K-12 students in Vermont have had access to healthy food and educational programming at the host sites this academic year.”
This summer, the VTSU Castleton, Johnson, and Lyndon Upward Bound programs will also host VRLC AmeriCorps members, further expanding educational support opportunities for first-generation and low-income students across Vermont. In addition, Vermont Farmers Food Center, along with the host sites mentioned above, are still recruiting AmeriCorps members for summer service opportunities.
Individuals interested in serving can search for “VRLC” in the Program Name field at https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/publicRequestSearch.do or contact Program Director Derek Kim at [email protected] or by phone at 802-626-6752. Philanthropic and educational organizations interested in becoming a host site for VRLC AmeriCorps members are also encouraged to contact Mr. Kim for more information about partnership opportunities.
Pictured from left to right at the recent member gathering are Melanie Campanini (Maplehill School and Farm), Anna Belle Warren (Green Mountain Farm-to-School), Ella Grzybowski (Green Mountain Farm-to-School), Parker Wilson (NorthWoods Stewardship Center), Alex Colaneri (Green Mountain Farm-to-School), and Woodjerry Etienne (Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium).
About Vermont State University
Vermont State University, Vermont’s statewide public university, provides transformative, future‑ready education that empowers learners to shape their own course – professionally, personally, and within their communities. Rooted in Vermont values, Vermont State delivers hands‑on, career‑connected learning through in‑person, fully online, and blended programs built for real lives and real goals. Built in Vermont. Made for Everywhere. Learn more at VermontState.edu.
6.11.2026. Vermont State University VermontState.edu
Vermont State University is built upon the best of Castleton University, Northern Vermont University, and Vermont Technical College. Accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, July 1, 2023.
To support vital journalism, access our archives and get unique features like our award-winning profiles, Book of Lists & Business-to-Business Directory, subscribe HERE!
Vermont Business Magazine