“CRAFTSBURY, Vt. — After college, many students spend years working off tens of thousands of dollars in school debt. But at seven ‘‘Work Colleges’’ around the country, students are required to work on campus as part of their studies — doing everything from landscaping and growing and cooking food to public relations and feeding farm animals — to pay off at least some of their tuition before they graduate.
The arrangement not only makes college more affordable for students who otherwise might not be able to go to school, it also gives them real-life experience while teaching them responsibility and how to work together, officials said. ‘‘I love it,’’ said Melissa Eckstrom, of Philadelphia, who is an assistant garden manager at Sterling College in Craftsbury, Vt., where she is studying sustainable agriculture.
‘‘It’s really satisfying to work in the garden and do all this hands-on, you know, dirty work — and I go to the kitchen and sit down for a meal and I’m like, I grew this. It can’t get more full circle than that,’’ she said.”
Click here to read the full article…
Social Media
Connect with Sterling College

Sterling College
In this darkest time of year, as we near the Winter Solstice, we can all use a little light. These pictures capture student Anushka making rangoli art to welcome guests into the Diwali celebration hosted by Sterling’s international student group. Click below to read “Diwali:...

In the darkest part of the year we all need a little light. Read Part II of Anushka's five-part blog series entitled “Diwali: Driving Away Darkness”.

"The report warns, repeatedly and directly, that climate change could soon imperil the American way of life, transforming every region of the country, imposing frustrating costs on the economy, and harming the health of virtually every citizen."

Sterling College is a dynamic community of ecological thinkers and change makers who understand that important academic and life lessons are experienced outside the traditional classroom. Lace up your boots and get your hands dirty learning the hardwood forests, cedar swamps, cross-country ski trails, the...
Thank you, thank you, to all our of generous supporters yesterday during Giving Tuesday. If you missed your chance to donate, don't fret! There are still lots of items to bid on in The Craft of Sterling Online Auction, benefiting the new Strong Center for...


Wise words from @ackermanleistp in this higher ed commentary https://t.co/fTiI092oR4 via @timesargus
Welcome, Maxine, Dean of Finance & Operations! https://t.co/IRa6jNEv3u via @sterlingcollege
We are thrilled to be welcoming #hemp #farmers & #entrepreneurs this week for #HempHack @sterlingcollege with Doug Fine @organiccowboy There is still space for a few more folks! https://t.co/Q7L5C3mbiX
Listen in at 10:15 this morning as @organiccowboy Doug Fine talks to Dave Gram @DaveGramWDEV about School of the New American Farmstead's upcoming #HempHack Oct. 24 & 25 @sterlingcollege https://t.co/8Quzu5OeMO
Join us Saturday for a special lecture by @chelseagreen author Dr. Michelle Perro, looking at our industrial food supply with a lens on our health. Free and open to the public! https://t.co/9Z0jj6iKdO @Eventbrite