Grow With Us: Seasonal Garden Assistant at Karmê Chöling Meditation Retreat Center

Contact Name
Kat Caldwell, Head of Personnel
Phone Number
(802) 633-2384 x3140
Details

Come spend the late summer and fall working in one of Vermont’s most beautiful organic gardens.

Karmê Chöling’s one-acre organic garden has been cultivated for nearly 40 years, providing vegetables, herbs, flowers, and berries for our residential community and local farm stand. We are seeking a Seasonal Garden Assistant to work alongside longtime Master Gardener Jan Enthoven and Garden Manager Monique Gerbex through the 2026 growing season.

This is a hands-on position for someone who enjoys being outdoors, physical work, and learning from experienced growers. You’ll participate in the daily rhythms of an established organic garden, including planting, weeding, harvesting, greenhouse care, soil and compost work, garden maintenance, and preparing the garden for winter.

Responsibilities include:

  • Seeding, transplanting, weeding, mulching, and watering

  • Soil preparation, composting, and irrigation maintenance

  • Harvesting and washing produce

  • Greenhouse opening and closing

  • Assisting with the farm stand

  • General garden maintenance and seasonal projects

  • Preparing the garden for winter

  • Maintaining clean, organized, and welcoming garden spaces

Ideal candidates:

  • Have some experience in gardening, farming, landscaping, or horticulture

  • Enjoy physical work and spending time outdoors in varied weather

  • Are curious, dependable, and eager to learn

  • Take pride in careful, well-done work

  • Can work independently and collaboratively

  • Are interested in organic and ecological approaches to growing food

  • Are comfortable with bending, kneeling, lifting, carrying, and working on your feet for extended periods

  • Can provide some weekend availability

Karmê Chöling is a Buddhist meditation retreat center and residential community in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. You do not need to be Buddhist to work here. We welcome people interested in meaningful work, community life, and caring for the land.

Compensation & Benefits

  • Residential option: $800/month stipend plus room and board

  • Commuter option: Hourly compensation

  • Paid time off

  • Free access to qualifying meditation programs and retreats

  • Support for meditation practice, including a personal Meditation Instructor

  • Access to shared community spaces, including staff gym and recreation room

Position starts immediately and runs through the end of the 2026 growing season.

For more information: https://www.karmecholing.org/about/jobs-volunteer/job-opportunities#job-listings