Apply Now! Full time Local Foods Promotion Coordinator

This two-year position is funded by the US. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service. The contractor will coordinate a partnership of three nonprofits (Appalachian RC&D Council, Appalachian Sustainable Development and Jonesborough Locally Grown) to build a strong and integrated Locally-Grown Campaign in northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia. The Coordinator will work with both the agricultural production/supply side and the consumer demand side and competitive applicants should demonstrate direct experience in shaping these parts of the food system.

Application (click to download) period closes *FEBRUARY 1* AT MIDNIGHT*. Interviews scheduled as soon as application materials are received. Submit to apprcd@gmail.com.

  • Start Date: February 15, 2015 (or sooner)
  • Full-Time with some special weekend/evening events.
  • Compensation up to $15/hour, depending on qualifications and experience.

Responsibilities:

  • Logistics:
  • Work with key farmers and markets (restaurants, small grocers) in the region to conduct seasonal planning of supply and demand.
  • Coordinate aggregating and distributing local product with a Sales Coordinator.
  • Trainings:
  • Coordinate monthly events for TN and VA producers to learn new tools for growing farm income and complying with food safety regulations.
  • Coordinate occasional events for producer-buyer networking.
  • Public outreach and campaigning:
  • Coordinate one to two large regional forums about locally grown for an audience of community and business, government, leaders.
  • Conduct outreach to the public via media, local government, chamber’s of commerce, schools, and community groups, to raise the profile of local agricultural economy.
  • Publish a quarterly e-newsletter on regional food and farm content (existing list serve).
  • Work with a marketing consultant to create printed and email communication pieces for a variety of audiences, especially non-traditional partners, about locally grown.
  • Distribute materials through various communication channels.
  • Outfit and plan logistics for a mobile farm store truck and display to bring local product directly to the consumer at large community events and festivals.
  • Make outreach partnerships made with partners that serve low income communities, such as human services and community health groups, to distribute materials about accessing fresh local food on a budget and through SNAP/EBT.
  • Personnel: Manage seasonal/summer interns in 2015 and 2016.
  • Volunteers: Recruit volunteers as needed to assist with goals.
  • Grant writing and management: Assist in the research and preparation of grants + grant award reporting.
  • Travel: Travel in the greater Tricities region and occasional longer work days off site expected.

Expectations:

A plan of work with milestones and timeline objectives will be established upon hiring. By the end of 2016, expectations are that:

  • A regional baseline is established of the volume of locally grown product sold to local markets; the number of growers selling product; and the number of local businesses purchasing local — and trends are moving upwards.
  • The mobile Farm Store/Farmers Market is created as a new market opportunity.
  • Markets are visibly advertising to customers how their establishment specifically supports local, including through the use of promo materials created by the project; markets report that customers are asking about local options and purchasing local options.
  • Farmers Markets that accept SNAP/EBT see an increase in redemption.
  • The number of volunteers giving back to locally grown initiatives has increased, and volunteer retention is high.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s or 4-year college degree.
  • 2+ years experience working with food systems
  • Strong writing skills; experience with grant proposals as well as media stories.
  • Strong speaking and communication skills; assertive with meeting and “networking” with people.
  • Ability to balance multiple complicated projects and partners.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • Familiarly with area geography and culture a plus.
  • Valid driver’s license and access to reliable car. Travel between VA and TN expected (work mileage compensated).
  • Office will be based in Johnson City at the ARC&D (commute mileage is not compensated).

APPLICATION DOWNLOAD HERE: LFPP-application-ARCD-02-01-15

Submit application or questions to:

Emily Bidgood, Appalachian RC&D Council

apprcd@gmail.com – 423-979-2581

3211 N. Roan St. Johnson City, TN 37601

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation.