Membership and Outreach Coordinator
AmeriCorps Service Member Position
BACKGROUND
The Tennessee Association of Farmers Markets (TAFM) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of Tennessee farmers markets and to serve as an educational resource for markets, market managers and their vendors.
The goals of TAFM include:
- Developing educational resources for markets, market managers and market consumers
- Providing networking opportunities for farmers, farmers markets, and supporting community organizations.
- Provide a unified voice on issues and policy that impacts Tennessee’s farmers markets.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
- Create a strong statewide support network for Tennessee farmers market managers.
- Increase awareness among consumers about specialty crops at farmers markets.
- Educate farmers market managers to build and sustain viable farmers markets.
- Increase the sales of specialty crops at farmers markets in Tennessee.
ROLE
The purpose of the Outreach and Membership Coordinator position is to support the organization in meeting its goals and objectives. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a strong interest in and commitment to locally grown food and agriculture products. This position is an AmeriCorps Service Member position for a one-year term with the Tennessee Association of Farmers Markets, supported by the AppalCorps AmeriCorps program of the Appalachian RC&D Council. This position will begin in November 2021 and end in November 2022.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Outreach
- Responsible for new market outreach to boost TAFM membership
- Responsible for current member outreach, including exploring member educational and support needs and opportunities
- Responsible for networking and establishing connections with potential partner organizations and funders
Program Development and Support
- Responsible for tracking and maintaining record of new and current members
- Responsible for planning, administering, and reporting on current specialty crop focused programming
- Assisting in determining educational needs for members
- Assisting in the procurement and development of member support resources
- Assisting in the establishment of data collection plans for farmers markets receiving grant and project support through specialty crop focused programming
- Coordinating with farmers market managers to collect grant and program specific data to support specialty crop focused programming
Marketing and Communications
- Promoting TAFM and TN farmers markets through a newsletter, social media, website, and in-person events
- Maintaining the website and social media platforms
- Creating quarterly newsletters and special events emails
- Assisting in the development of marketing materials for members to support events and initiatives around specialty crop focused programming
- Creating and presenting report findings to the TAFM Board during regularly scheduled meetings
Educational Programing Support
- Assisting in the development, coordination and execution of educational and networking workshops for bi-annual meeting and the annual Pick TN Conference
- Working directly with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and Center for Profitable Agriculture to provide input on educational programming for farmers market managers and vendors
Additional responsibilities include meeting all training, participation and reporting requirements involved with the AppalCorps AmeriCorps program.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Strong interest and commitment to locally grown food and agricultural products
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills
- Familiarity with WordPress, Microsoft Word and Excel, and Mailchimp preferred.
- Educational or experience background supporting the ability to complete outlined tasks
- Must agree to and pass required criminal history background checks
- Ability to work a flexible schedule including weekends
- Willingness to travel to bi-annual meeting and the Pick TN Conference
- Must be able to work remotely and be self motivated
- Must be a US Citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must abide by a drug-free workplace policy
- Must commit to a one-year AmeriCorps service term equalling no less than 1700 hours
BENEFITS
- Gain valuable work experience in the non-profit sector and in grant management
- Living allowance equalling up to $16,000 for one year of service
- Segal Education Award equalling the max amount awarded in a Pell Grant for the fiscal year ($6,495)
- Student loan forbearance during service term
- Child Care stipend during the service year
HOW TO APPLY
Interested parties can submit a resume to board@tnfarmersmarkets.org.
If you have questions about the ARCD AmeriCorps program, please contact Rachel Armor, ARCD AppalCorps Program Director.
The Appalachian Resource Conservation & Development Council is 501(c) (3) non-profit organization chartered in 1994. Our Board of Directors includes representation from across the region that we serve. Our mission is to conserve natural resources and improve rural economies through community leadership and enhanced educational opportunities. We work to preserve our heritage, promote local growers/producers and protect the lands of past generations so that future generations may be able to enjoy the natural wonders our region has to offer.