SerVermont - Sage Mountain Botanical Sanctuary VISTA

Sage Mountain Botanical Sanctuary is a 600-acre nonprofit conservation and education center in Orange, Vermont, founded in 1987 by renowned herbalist Rosemary Gladstar. We hold Vermont Department for Children and Families licensure as a childcare provider with Specialized Care designation, serving 40+ economically disadvantaged youth annually in grades 3¿8 who face higher-level emotional and behavioral needs. Nearly all participants are low-income families receiving childcare financial assistance; 100% qualify for free/reduced lunch. Our integrated model combines nature-based afterschool education, farm-to-school food security programming, botanical conservation, and ecological literacy ¿ all grounded in working forest, meadow, and wetland habitat. We are currently implementing a Vermont Farm to School Vision Grant and approaching our organization's 40th anniversary in 2027. Our VISTA Volunteer will build the organizational infrastructure ¿ grant systems, donor programs, evaluation tools, and community partnerships ¿ needed to expand services and reduce poverty barriers for rural Vermont families.