Job description

New Entry is looking for qualified candidates to join our energetic team that works to create new farmers, cultivate local produce, and conserve endangered farmland. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

- Manage New Entry’s Technical Assistance Programs
- Provide year-round technical assistance (TA) and training to small-scale beginning farmers, both on and off the field, on multiple aspects of farm enterprise development.  In particular:
• Conduct Farm Business Planning Courses and other skills workshops in sustainable agriculture. Provide feedback and evaluation for all students.
• Provide comprehensive individual TA to beginning and advanced farmers as they work to attain farm business planning goals. Track farmer competency and skills development.
• Promote TA opportunities and expectations effectively to farmers, using interpreters as necessary.
• Review and solicit farming resources to assist farmers looking to scale up, capitalize, or expand farm enterprises.
• Develop new training materials for farmers and service providers for TA activities.
• Organize and coordinate farmer meetings and participation at meetings, trainings, conferences and field trips.
• Establish data collection and tracking systems. Complete project reports on all activities.
• Supervise interns and work-study students.

- Manage New Entry’s Incubator Farm Sites

- Manage New Entry incubator farms and equipment and facilitate crop production (emphasizing organic techniques) to achieve lease compliance. In particular:
• Work with farmers and provide farm services, including land preparation/tillage, custom tractor work, and the use/management of greenhouse, irrigation, cooling / storage, and other farm supplies and equipment.
• Maintain equipment and facilities, including tractors, grounds, other tillage equipment, greenhouses, and irrigation systems.
• Assist farmers to understand roles and expectations for farm sites.
• Support positive relationships with Land Trust, landowners of incubator farms and farm neighbors. • Determine equipment and supply needs; make purchases; arrange for maintenance and repairs. Supervise hired contractors.
• Coordinate and supervise volunteer work days on the farms.

This position has supervisory and management responsibility.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field. Agricultural training and experience in multiple aspects of farming and farm enterprise is essential. Prior farm management / farm business ownership experience a plus.
• At least 3 years experience in delivering technical assistance to farmers in the areas of crop production, marketing, and business planning.
• Experience in adult education and teaching to diverse learning styles.
• Community organizing and cross-cultural experience helpful; prepared to build relationships with beginning, immigrant and refugee farmer participants.
• Minimum of 2-3 years supervisory experience required.

QUALIFICATIONS
• Highly organized and attention to detail.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Self-motivated and directed; works well within a rapidly-changing environment.
• Effective communications, interpersonal skills, and strong writing ability.
• Ability to safely operate and maintain farm equipment and machinery, including up to a 65 hp tractor with multiple implements.
• Ability to manage large groups of volunteers.
• Working knowledge of computer software (MS Office, social media, distance learning tools).
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Access to reliable private transportation necessary. • Flexible schedule needed, including evenings and weekends.
• A CORI background check is performed for all employees.

Compensation

this position is:

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline

Attachment

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