The Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture (VIDA), in partnership with Vermont’s White River Natural Resources Conservation District, is happy to begin officially accepting applications through August 5.
Young adults are invited to participate in a year-long Conservation Career Workforce Development Program as part of the annual USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Working Lands Climate Corps, a program of AmeriCorps.
The primary goal of the Working Lands Climate Corps is to recruit and prepare individuals seeking conservation careers by connecting them to training and national certification in conservation planning, regenerative agriculture, soil health, water quantity and quality, grazing systems, agroforestry design and agricultural engineering.
At least 20 paid trainees will be granted a monthly living allowance to participate in a year-long, ten-hour-per-month online training program well as two week-long in-person “mini conservation boot-camps” on St. Croix and in Vermont. Trainees will become certified conservation planners through the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, a certification that is accepted in all U.S. states and territories.
VIDA has been meticulously planning for the initiation of the Conservation Corps in the Virgin Islands with the confidence that the program will be a great asset to our community. VIDA Assistant Commissioner Diana Collingwood, one of the team members who coordinated this initiative and secured the necessary funding for it said, “This innovative workforce development initiative will prepare young adults with the technical skills to become qualified, certified and registered
conservation professionals, to partner with farmers and land stewards. It will also provide much-needed, sustainable and climate-smart agriculture outreach, education and support.”
To apply for the Working Lands Climate Corps trainee or coordinator positions please visit the Department of Agriculture’s website at https://doa.vi.gov. VIDA’s webpage also contains links to the job descriptions where you can learn more about benefits and eligibility requirements.
For further information, interested parties may also contact VIDA Assistant Commissioner Diana Collingwood on St. Croix at diana.collingwood@doa.vi.gov or 778-0997.
