Job description

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT: Program Director California Farm Academy   
Application Deadline: July 31, 2015 (or until position is filled) 

The Center for Land‐Based Learning inspires and motivates people of all ages, especially youth, to promote a healthy interplay between agriculture, nature and society through their actions and as leaders in their communities. We serve high schools students and adults through our experiential programs in 20 California counties and at our Farm on Putah Creek educational site near Winters, CA. Our California Farm Academy beginning farmer training program and farm business incubator has provided hands-on education, mentorship, land for lease and marketing support for over 80 new farmers to date. 

Background: In February 2012, the first session of the California Farm Academy (CFA) beginning farmer training program launched with 20 adult students of all ages and backgrounds. Every year since, through a combination of lectures, hands-on field work and farm visits, as well as learning from over 30 guest speakers from academia, industry and agricultural agencies, student-farmers are given a condensed, practical head start to their farming careers. Graduates leave with a network of resources and mentors, a farm business plan they created during the program, and opportunities to access land. Specifically, in the CFA farm business incubator, graduates and other qualified farmers are leased land in either rural or urban settings and provided infrastructure, tools and technical and marketing assistance to start or improve their agricultural enterprise. Over seventy-five percent of CFA graduates are farming. 

Job Description: Land-Based Learning is hiring a Program Director, based at our main office at 5265 Putah Creek Road, Winters CA, at the Farm on Putah Creek. This position will be responsible for continuing the existing training and incubator programs; supervising 3 full-time CFA staff; writing and managing grants; creating and updating annual program budgets; working with an Advisory Committee of agricultural professionals, farmers and educators; launching an urban farm in a development currently under construction at The Cannery in Davis, CA; working with our West Sacramento urban farming program to oversee farm sites, expand marketing opportunities and explore aggregation; and, in partnership with another farmer training organization, developing an accredited farm apprenticeship program. If you’ve worked at other Beginning Farmer and/or Incubator programs, this is an opportunity to utilize your experience and take the highly successful California Farm Academy to the next level. There is a tremendous amount of support in the region for Land-Based Learning programs, and you will have many, many resources at your disposal. 

Mandatory requirements: The California Farm Academy Program Director should be a leader with a strong commitment to education, agriculture, ecology and land stewardship. The Director must be self‐motivated, and capable of working effectively both alone and with a larger team. 

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree (or equivalent experience) in Agriculture, Ecology, Community Development, or other closely‐related field
• A minimum of six years of professional experience directing and/or coordinating programs, including hiring and managing staff performance, creating and managing budgets, and building associated programmatic infrastructure and capacity needs
• Experience with farming; either as a beginning farmer, apprentice/intern, or other related agricultural farm job
• Experience in adult education, particularly involving agricultural business planning, market development and mentoring new businesses.
• Experience working with diverse partners and stakeholders, with ability to collaborate on creating and implementing programs
• Experience in hiring, managing, and working with sub‐contractors as needed
• Proven track record of successful grant writing, grant management and reporting, especially for federal     and state grants
• Excellent communication, social and writing skills

 In addition, the ideal candidate will also have: 

• A background in either formal or informal educational programs, including developing and implementing training and/or small business incubator programs
• A background in sustainable agriculture and/or beginning farmer training programs
• An ability and willingness to be flexible
• Experience with outreach and recruiting
• Moderate to advanced computer skill, especially with Microsoft Office, web browsers, social media, and email
• Willingness to work odd hours and weekends as required. Training program classes are held evenings and weekends, as are some organization-wide events.

 Salary: This is a full-time position with a starting salary range of $55,000 ‐ $65,000, commensurate with experience. Full benefits (health, dental, vision, flex plan, and 401K) are included after one month of employment. 

Compensation

this position is: salaried

Application instructions

Deadline

July 31, 2015