Status: Full Time

Reports to: Executive Director

Compensation: $76,000–$87,000, negotiable based on experience

Date Posted: 5/15/2023

Applications due: Open until filled

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Summary:
The Good Acre (TGA) unlocks economic opportunity for farmers in our region, especially those who historically have been excluded from opportunities to make a viable living. Our unique combination of personalized support and market development promotes both economic well-being and a more sustainable, resilient, and community-centered food system. We approach our work through partnerships that create meaningful, long-lasting market access for farmers and food access for our communities.

Grower Support programs provide personalized farm business development and support services for free to all farmer partners in The Good Acre’s network. Programming is focused on increasing farmer success outcomes, including technical assistance covering a wide range of topics, such as farm production, business management, marketing, insect and disease management, soil fertility; as well as contracts, and season planning. The Director of Grower Support Programs is responsible for providing leadership and management of Grower Support programs, including developing and managing partnerships, leading the program team, and leading strategies to create more equitable opportunities for farmers.

Responsibilities:
Grower Support Programs Strategic Leadership

• Develop and lead the Grower Support programs strategies, including deepening the impact Grower Support program offerings, including access to resources around sustainable growing methods, season extension, and land access
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with growers, community-based initiatives, government agencies and non-profits to increase the impact of Grower Support programs and collaborative initiatives
• Participate as an active, collaborative member of the senior leadership team and work in cross-organizational teams
• Partner with Market Expansion programs to lead supply/demand planning work group and efforts, as well as proactively participate in market expansion partnerships
• Facilitate the Farmer Advisory Committee to ensure farmer partners are actively included in organizational decision making
• Develop and maintain a deep understanding of farmer partner needs to enhance current programs. Lead all Grower Support program listening and evaluation efforts, including farmer focus groups and/or annual surveys
• Partner on public affairs initiatives and advocacy efforts as appropriate, including on-going engagement with developing public affairs priorities, engaging with elected officials, etc.

Technical Assistance

• Travel to farms to visually assess crops and identify partnership opportunities
• Advise farmers on proper harvest, handling, packaging, labeling, invoicing and delivery of product to TGA

Team Leadership and Program Administration

• Develop annual operating plans and goals for Grower Support programs and team members
• Supervise Grower Support Specialist and Demand and Procurement Manager in day-to-day operations of programming
• Coach and develop team members
• Develop and manage annual program budget
• Ensure compliance with grant requirements and/or reporting of Grower Support and technical assistance activities
• Maintenance and building of impact metrics and dashboards
• Maintain farmer contact information in coordination with the Farm Program Specialist to keep the information up to date and maintain farmer biographical information for TGA communication and outreach.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Commitment to The Good Acre’s mission
• Minimum three years’ experience in farming, farm business management, food systems, or farm-related technical assistance and outreach, or related agricultural experience
• Familiarity with most produce, including ethnic specialty crops
• Ability to work independently as well as engage as a collaborative, organizational leader Comfortable working in cross-functional teams
• Strong communication skills
• Be comfortable meeting farmers where they work, outdoors, in all kinds of weather
• Must have a valid driver’s license and a reliable vehicle

Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience
• Comfortable working with people from different cultures
• Knowledge of Food Safety practices and the Produce Safety Rule
• Fluency in handling complex spreadsheet applications
• Familiarity with Google suite of applications

Application Instructions:
Please send a resume or list of relevant experience to j[email protected]. In your email, please answer two questions:

1. Describe your connection to farming and what excites you about working with local farmers.
2. Is there anything from your resume or past experience that would make you extra successful in this role?

We are no longer accepting applications for this position.