Sustainable Agriculture Assistant | Volunteer Center Sint Maarten

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The experience

Join our Agricultural team in tropical Sint Maarten! Help develop sustainable farming practices through garden maintenance, crop cultivation, basic construction, and animal care. Learn Caribbean agriculture while contributing to food security initiatives.

Available: Nov 2025-June 2026
Stay: 4-12 weeks
Age: 18+
Work: 6hrs/day, 5 days/week

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What you offer

6 hours of help per day

Animal Care: Help look after and take care of animals.

Building & Repairing: Help with a wide range of repairs or building.

Farming: Plant crops, sow seeds and help in outside tasks.

Gardening: Help grow plants and cultivate gardens

Additional fee required

Amount: US$ 150 One time

Fee pays for: Benefits for travelers, Materials for volunteer activities, and Donation to project

Description: US$ 100 is for donation to Vicky's Keys for activity materials and contribution to using the volunteer center utilities (Water/Electricity/Gas/Internet) and US$ 50 is a deposit required by the Volunteer Center that functions as a security deposit in case you damage anything or lost your room key during your stay. If you haven't damaged anything or lost your room key then you will be reimbursed US$50.

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What you get

2 days off per week

Shared Dorm: You will have a bed in a shared room, which means you will share the same room with other travelers.

Team Dorm: You will have a bed in a shared room, which means you will share the same room with other people.

Breakfast: You are entitled to a free breakfast, every day of your stay.

Lunch: You are entitled to a free lunch, every day of your stay.

Dinner: You are entitled to a free dinner, every day of your stay.

Discounts on Tours: Get discounts for tours and excursions around town.

Free Laundry: You can use our laundry room freely.

Free Hiking Tours: We’ll take you on excursions and hikes around town. For free!

Bikes at your disposal: You can use our bikes any time you want.

Pick Up: We will pick you up when you arrive, and take you to our property.

Permaculture Course: Take part in our Permaculture course for free.

Use our equipped kitchen: Feel free to use our kitchen and make your own delicious food.

Certificate: Get a certificate of completion after you finish your experience.

Basic Internet Access: Basic speed internet for you to work remotely

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Requirements

Fluent English

Over 18 years old

Welcomes solo volunteers, couples, and partners of volunteers

European Union Passport

United States visa or citizenship

Travel insurance

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What's not included

Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa

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Program Details

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Our Vision:
At Vicky's Keys Volunteer Center, we're developing sustainable agricultural practices adapted to Caribbean climate and conditions. Our program combines traditional farming wisdom with modern sustainable techniques to create resilient food systems.

Program Objectives:
• Establish sustainable food production systems
• Develop climate-resilient growing methods
• Create educational opportunities in agriculture
• Support local food security initiatives
• Demonstrate sustainable farming practices

Key Responsibilities:

1. Agricultural Tasks
- Planting and maintaining crops
- Composting and soil management
- Seed saving and propagation
- Pest management using natural methods
- Harvest and post-harvest handling

2. Animal Care
- Daily feeding and monitoring
- Maintaining animal areas
- Basic health checks
- Record keeping

3. Construction & Maintenance
- Building/repairing growing structures
- Irrigation system maintenance
- Tool maintenance and organization
- Basic infrastructure projects

4. Learning Components
- Weekly agricultural workshops
- Local farming techniques
- Sustainable practices training
- Climate-resilient agriculture methods
- Documentation of growing practices

What You'll Learn:
• Caribbean agricultural techniques
• Sustainable farming methods
• Animal husbandry basics
• Construction skills
• Project management
• Climate adaptation strategies

Ideal Candidate:
• Passionate about sustainable agriculture
• Physically fit for outdoor work
• Basic gardening/farming knowledge
• Willing to learn and adapt
• Team player mentality
• Problem-solving mindset

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Activities & Shift

WORK BLOCKS & ACTIVITIES

EARLY BLOCK (7:00 AM - 1:00 PM)
Best for main agricultural tasks & outdoor work

• 7:00 - 7:30: Morning Startup
- Team briefing
- Weather check
- Task distribution
- Equipment prep
- Animal feeding schedule review

• 7:30 - 9:30: Primary Activities
- Animal care & feeding
- Early harvesting
- Garden maintenance
- Watering systems
- Heavy outdoor work

• 9:30 - 9:45: Break
- Hydration
- Rest in shade
- Sun protection

• 9:45 - 1:00: Continued Work
- Planting
- Composting
- Construction projects
- Site maintenance
- Project documentation

MID-DAY BLOCK (10:00 AM - 3:00 PM)
Focus on lighter tasks & indoor work during peak heat

• 10:00 - 10:30: Day Start
- Task briefing
- Equipment check
- Project review
- Team coordination

• 10:30 - 12:00: Morning Tasks
- Indoor seedling care
- Light maintenance
- Shaded work
- Workshop prep
- Record keeping

• 12:00 - 12:30: Break
- Lunch
- Rest period
- Team check-in

• 12:30 - 3:00: Afternoon Activities
- Tool maintenance
- Indoor projects
- Educational sessions
- Planning meetings
- Final animal checks

Task Distribution:

Early Block Focus:
• Heavy physical work
• Main agricultural tasks
• Animal care
• Outdoor construction
• Primary maintenance

Mid-Day Block Focus:
• Indoor activities
• Educational components
• Planning sessions
• Light maintenance
• Documentation

📝 Notes:
• Volunteers choose one block
• Blocks overlap for team coordination
• Tasks adjust based on weather
• Flexibility for special projects
• Emergency protocols in place

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Rules

RULES & GUIDELINES

General Conduct
• Be punctual - arrive 5 mins before shift starts
• Notify team leader of any absence/lateness
• Maintain professional attitude
• Follow safety protocols at all times
• Report any incidents immediately
• Respect local culture and customs
• No phone use during work hours except emergencies

Work Attire & Equipment
• Wear closed-toe shoes (mandatory)
• Sun protection (hat, sunscreen)
• Bring water bottle
• Wear provided safety equipment
• Keep work clothes clean
• Use protective gear when required
• Return tools to designated areas

Living Space Rules
• Quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 6:00 AM
• Keep personal space tidy
• No unauthorized guests
• Follow cleaning schedule
• Respect shared spaces
• Report maintenance issues
• Practice water/energy conservation

Agricultural Area Rules
• Follow organic practices strictly
• Document all plantings/harvests
• Report plant diseases immediately
• Use tools properly
• Clean tools after use
• Follow composting guidelines
• Maintain garden boundaries

Animal Care Rules
• Follow feeding schedules exactly
• Report health concerns immediately
• Maintain clean animal areas
• Document all animal care
• Follow biosecurity measures
• No unauthorized feeding
• Follow handling protocols

Safety Requirements
• No working alone in remote areas
• Use proper lifting techniques
• Stay hydrated
• Take required breaks
• Follow chemical handling protocols
• Know emergency procedures
• Use first aid kit when needed

Prohibited Activities • No smoking in work areas • No alcohol during work hours • No harassment of any kind • No unauthorized tool use • No wasteful practices • No sharing of sensitive information • No unauthorized visitors in work areas