Hiring: Beginning Farmer Resources Coordinator – New Entry Sustainable Farming Project
New Entry Sustainable Farming Project‘s (New Entry) mission is to improve our local and regional food systems by training the next generation of farmers to produce food that is sustainable, nutritious and culturally appropriate and making this food accessible to individuals regardless of age, mobility, ethnicity, or socio-economic status. In doing this work, New Entry provides critical training, career development, and economic opportunity to new farmers.
Job Summary
The Beginning Farmer Resources Coordinator will provide year-round technical assistance (TA) and training to small-scale, direct market beginning farmers, both on and off the field, on multiple aspects of farm enterprise development. This person will also manage the statewide Beginning Farmer Network of Massachusetts (bfnmass.org), and conduct intake and case management/technical assistance for participants in New Entry programs and services. Another major responsibility of this role is to support urban farmer training in collaboration with Urban Farming Institute of Boston.
Essential Job Functions
Management of the Massachusetts Beginning Farmer Network
- Develop relationships with beginning farmers and service providers to coordinate the statewide Beginning Farmer Network of Massachusetts (BFN/Mass);
- Manage a statewide technical assistance referral network and keep up-to-date, on-line tools for Beginning Farmers (www.bfnmass.org -resource finder, calendar, jobs board, agency and farmer blogs and profiles, and other social media efforts);
- Communicate with BFN/Mass steering committee to ensure statewide priorities and on-going relevancy for the network (bi-annual meetings);
- Organize annual Fall Forum and regional networking events for beginning farmers and farm service providers;
- Connect interns to projects relating to BFN/Mass and supervise these interns.
Technical Assistance and Training for Beginning Farmers
- Expand curriculum for core New Entry programs (FBPC, field workshops, distance learning program, and specialty crop production courses);
- Coordinate and teach courses/curriculum for New Entry’s Explore Farming! and Distance Learning Farm Business Planning online course. Coordinate and teach courses for other farming organizations in the region, including partnerships with urban agriculture programs and the Urban Farming Institute of Boston;
- Manage farmers on a “case management” basis by conducting site visits with farmers in the field, establishing a farmer assessment and learning plan protocol through initial intake to life cycle of learning goals. Facilitate effective referrals and address ongoing technical assistance support;
- Develop and maintain the work plans, budgets, metrics and evaluation outcomes and other guiding documents for these programs, including assisting with development of funding opportunities;
- Attend conferences and events to conduct outreach and present on our work;
- Assist other projects as needed.
Special Requirements
- Ability to walk on farms, over uneven ground, in conditions that vary from hot and humid, to cold and wet, and up and down stairs; must be able to support producers with field tasks on farms;
- Access to reliable private transportation necessary;
- Willingness and ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends.
Qualifications
- Agricultural training and experience in multiple aspects of farming and farm enterprise is essential. Prior farm management / farm business ownership experience preferred;
- At least 3 years’ experience in delivering technical assistance to farmers in the areas of crop production, marketing, financial management, and business planning;
- Excellent organizational skills and strong attention to detail;
- Strong leadership, public speaking, diplomacy, and case management and social skills;
- Community organizing and cross-cultural experience helpful; comfort and skill in building relationships with beginning, immigrant and refugee farmer participants;
- Experience in adult education and teaching to diverse learning styles;
- Ability to self-motivate and self-direct; preference for working within a rapidly-changing high performance environment;
- Proven and effective communication, interpersonal skills, and strong writing ability.
To Apply
We strongly encourage online applications.
For a full job description, click here.
We also accept applications by mail or fax. Apply by mail to: Third Sector New England, Attn: Employment Manager, NonProfit Center, 89 South Street, Boston, MA 02111; or send by fax to: 617.523.2070.
As an EOE/AA employer, TSNE and New Entry Sustainable Farming Project will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identification, veteran or disability status.
