Summer 2026 application now open!

Dartmouth

Sustainable Farming & Food Justice
see info below

Program Details

DATES
June 21-June 27, 2026

7DAYS

SERVICE HOURS
40
TUITION
$2890*

*SEE DETAILS

AVAILABILITY
Available

Alongside our partner, Round The Bend Farm, you will learn about sustainable farming, food systems, and restorative community while living and working on a 115-acre working farm in South Dartmouth, Massachusetts.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

This program will take you to Round The Bend Farm, where you will learn about sustainable farming practices. Your days will be spent planting, harvesting, food processing, caring for farm animals, and supporting the Manifest Love program that serves 100+ families weekly. Through these activities, you will discover how Round The Bend Farm uses permaculture practices and fosters community through education and hands-on learning.

While based at the farm, you will have the opportunity to work with the Manifest Love program, preparing free weekly food shares that provide fresh, farm-grown produce to vulnerable families. You will participate in Open Farm Day, a monthly public event where community members come to buy produce and enjoy farm-fresh lunch. Additionally, you will hike through diverse ecosystems and habitats along a trail that leads from the farm to a local beach.

Outside of farm work, you will take a guided bike tour of New Bedford with Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.), an organization that connects youth with the outdoors and provides bikes to New Bedford youth. You will explore the city from a unique perspective while learning about how Y.O.U. works with local youth. You will also prepare meals together using organic, locally grown ingredients from the farm and participate in evening activities, including farm talks on sustainable living, documentary screenings on food systems, and campfires.

This program is designed to help you understand the connections between sustainable agriculture, food justice, and community empowerment while gaining hands-on farming experience. You will leave Massachusetts with a new perspective on how working farms can address food insecurity and model sustainable living for future generations.

*Please note that programs are subject to change based on the health and safety of participants and our partners.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Support a working farm by planting, harvesting, and packing food for the Manifest Love program.

Participate in Open Farm Day, a monthly public event where the local community gathers to buy produce and learn about sustainable agriculture.

Take a guided bike tour of New Bedford with Youth Opportunities Unlimited to explore urban youth programming.

Hike 4 miles through diverse ecosystems from the farm to Allens Pond and East Beach.

Course Elements

1 is the least rigorous, 5 is the most rigorous

5
LEARNING SERVICE
You will be working on projects including planting, cultivation, animal husbandry, farm chores, packing food for distribution, mulching, trail work, and harvesting in the gardens
5
CURRICULUM
Prior to your travels, you will complete an online curriculum to gain background knowledge for your experience. While traveling, you will learn through engaging articles, cultural experiences, and group reflections.
3
TREKKING
While on the farm you will spend time hiking the extensive trail system that abuts the property on 3 sides which includes a bird sanctuary, native habitat conservation land, forest, open pasture, and wetlands. As well, there will be a visit to a local beach.
2
LIVING CONDITIONS
You will be camping on the grounds of Round the Bend Farm. You will have access to solar hot showers, bathrooms, and large covered areas.
2
ON THE MOVE
Other than a day-long field trip to New Bedford and a visit to a wildlife sanctuary the majority of your time will be spent on the grounds of Round the Bend Farm.
3
REMOTENESS
You will spend your camping on the grounds of Round the Bend Farm with a visit to the town of New Bedford.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival day.

Day 2

Farm tour and orientation, meet the team, sustainability presentation, and film screening.

Day 3

Gardening and farm projects. Kitchen skills and food processing

Day 4

Continued work on gardening and farm projects. Kitchen skills and food processing

Day 5

Work in a wildlife sanctuary followed by a nature hike.

Day 6

Field trip to New Bedford, visit organizations working in social justice and food security.

Day 7

Departure day.

NOTE

Itineraries are subject to change based on the health and safety of participants and our partners.

Dartmouth : In Three Phases

1

PRE-TRAVEL CURRICULUM

Prior to your departure, you will be guided by your course instructors through a series of interactive, online lessons designed to help you engage with other members of your group while gaining important context for your experience.

2

FIELD STUDY

The majority of the days at each site are spent learning from our local partners and serving alongside them shoulder-to-shoulder. You will learn through service and experiences designed to help you understand the local context, culture, and history.

3

LIFELONG NETWORK

Ethical leadership is a lifelong journey. After your experience, you will become a part of the Shoulder-to-Shoulder network. This network of past alumni and partners is designed to inspire and support your journey in ethical leadership.

Travel Journal

During the travel phase of each SStS course, you will spend time reflecting and processing your experience.

Important Details

TUITION*

Tuition (students from partner schools): $2790
Tuition (students from non-partner schools): $2890

*Students attending a partner school receive a tuition discount. Click HERE to see partner schools. Please note that tuition does not include airfare.

AIRFARE

Students are responsible for booking their own flights to meet the group in Providence, Rhode Island. Once enrolled, our admissions team will assist you in choosing the correct arrival and departure times.

FINANCIAL AID

SStS is in search of curious, compassionate, globally-minded students from all backgrounds. We will do everything possible to provide financial support to students who require assistance. If you would like to be considered for financial assistance, please indicate this on the application. Resources are limited and tend to be less than 50% of tuition.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

For a full description of our Terms and Conditions, please CLICK HERE.

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