The Youth in Agriculture & Natural Resources Team from Mount Mansfield Union High School had a Blacksmithing unit in mid-February. Students spent the day with Matt Dragon, our Technical Skills Program Specialist and Jim Fecteau of Huntington River Smithy in his shop, where they were able to learn traditional smithing techniques to repair important pieces of the VYCC tool cache.

Students gave overwhelmingly positive feedback about the unit, saying, “This was a direct and educational way to learn many different life lessons and incorporate math, reading, and real-life job skills. It presses us to really assess the situation and act responsibly.”

This is one of the two crews which operate year-round as part of our new work-based alternative education partnership with UVM Extension and Smokey House Center. Students attend traditional classes for the first part of the school day, and then come to the VYCC Youth Leadership, Education, and Training Center for the rest of the academic day where they earn a full compliment of credits as well as a small stipend.