Technical Assistance and Incubator Farm Site Coordinator

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 Technical Assistance and Incubator Farm Site Coordinator is responsible for providing 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. Manage New Entry incubator farms and equipment, determine best approach for site improvements, and facilitate crop production (emphasizing organic techniques) to achieve lease compliance.

We anticipate a start date of March 1, 2016.

Essential Job Functions

  • Conduct Farm Business Planning courses and other skills workshops in sustainable agriculture.  Provide feedback and evaluation for all students, establish standards required for graduation, and work with students to meet the required standards for graduation.
  • Provide comprehensive individual TA to beginning and advanced farmers in order to help them attain farm business planning goals.  Track farmer competency and skills development and develop new training materials for farmers and service providers for TA activities.
  • Review and solicit farming resources to assist farmers looking to scale up, capitalize, or expand farm enterprises.
  • Determine workshop and training needs of incubator farmers. Organize and coordinate farmer meetings and participation at meetings, trainings, conferences and field trips in order to meet farmer training needs.
  • Establish data collection and tracking systems and post data to New Entry’s cloud-based Salesforce system.  Complete project reports on all activities to provide to funders.
  • Establish roles and expectations for farm sites in order to support the needs of multiple constituents (growers, neighbors, land owners).  Assist farmers to understand roles and expectations.
  • Determine equipment and supply needs and make purchases.  Maintain equipment and facilities, including tractors, grounds, other tillage equipment, greenhouses, and irrigation systems in order to ensure continuity of incubator farm site operations.
  • Coordinate contractors in order to ensure integrity of their work.
  • Coordinate and supervise volunteer work days on the farms, and supervise interns and work-study students in order to maximize impact.
  • 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 in order to maximize impact of New Entry resources.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned.

Special requirements

  • Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
  • Ability to work outside, year-round in all weather conditions.
  • Ability to operate heavy machinery.
  • Ability to walk on uneven terrain to conduct farm site workshops.
  • Valid drivers’ license and clean motor vehicle record.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field required. 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. Ability to build relationships with beginning, immigrant and refugee farmer participants.
  • Previous supervisory experience preferred.
  • 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.
  • Highly organized and good attention to detail.
  • Self-motivated, self- directed. Ability to work well within a rapidly-changing environment.
  • Excellent customer service, organizational, interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
  • Working knowledge of computer software (MS Office, social media,).  Salesforce experience a plus.
  • Access to reliable private transportation necessary.
  • Ability to work a flexible schedule, including some evenings and weekends.

To Apply

We strongly encourage online applications.

Apply Online.

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.

Lowell, MA