Company description

Greenmarket is a program of GrowNYC (http://www.grownyc.org).  Greenmarket's mission is to promote regional agriculture and ensure a continuing supply of fresh local produce for New Yorkers. Greenmarket supports farmers and preserves farmland for the future by providing regional, small family farmers with opportunities to sell their fruits, vegetables and other farm products to New Yorkers.

FARMroots is Greenmarket’s technical assistance program, and provides both aspiring and established Greenmarket farmers with business technical assistance and training designed to ensure the long-term viability of participating farms and farmland.  Technical assistance is provided through both in-house services and through the engagement of cost-shared consultants.

Job description

FARMroots Beginning Farmer Program Manager

Reporting to the FARMroots Director, the Beginning Farmer Manager will be responsible for identifying, training and supporting aspiring and beginning farmers. The position requires an understanding of whole farm planning and business development resources available to farmers.  Strong interpersonal skills and experience working one-on-one with farmers and farm employees from diverse backgrounds is highly preferred.

Beginning Farmer Program Manager Responsibilities Include

• Oversee and co-facilitate the annual New York City Farm Beginnings Whole Farm Planning Course, an 8-10 week business training course for aspiring farmers
• Manage FARMroot’s Shoulder-to-Shoulder Mentorship program, which connects aspiring farmers with established farmers.
• Design an annual series of skills workshops and other events to bring beginning farmers together with experts around priority needs
• Provide one-on-one individualized assistance to beginning farmers in the areas of business, planning, access to land, access to capital, and access to markets
• Create and sustain partnerships with experts and partner organizations to effectively connect farmers with resources
• Conduct outreach to aspiring farmers including those from socially disadvantaged and veteran communities
• Lead the ongoing development of training and educational materials for beginning and established farmers from diverse educational and experiential backgrounds, including Latino farmworkers
• Recruit, train and oversee consultants working with farmers, including Latino farmworkers
• Contribute to the development of content for online and physical resource libraries specifically related to the needs of beginning farmers
• Present project findings at annual conferences and events

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with at least 2 years of experience delivering technical assistance to farmers in business planning, marketing, access to land, access to capital, and risk management.
• Knowledge and practical experience working in commercial agricultural businesses.
• Spanish language fluency
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Strong leadership, public speaking, diplomacy, and case management skills
• A valid driver’s license
• Experience in adult education encouraged but not required

Application instructions

Deadline

August 06, 2017