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Apologies for cross posting…

 

Position posting is open until July 11, so please respond promptly.

 

Tilian Farm Development Center is seeking a dedicated half-time Program Manager to help continue and grow its Anchor and Incubator farm programs.  The candidate will plan and conduct both formal and informal educational programs for incubator farmers and other interested individuals. In addition, the Program Manager will be the face of Tilian to the Community and other interested parties.  The job posting is below.  Thank you for your attention.

 

 

Position Title: Tilian Farm Program Manager

Reports to: Food System Economic Partnership Board of Directors 

FLSA: Part-Time Salaried/Exempt 

 

Background: 

            The mission of the Tilian Farm Development Center is to facilitate farm business development by providing infrastructure support and programming that reduces barriers for new farmers while strengthening the food system in southeast Michigan.  Through its Incubator Farm Program, Tilian provides land, equipment and resources for new farm businesses.  In addition, Tilian supports incubator farmers through multiple strategies including: a mentorship program comprised of experienced farmers and other business leaders; facilitating connections with local businesses and institutional produce buyers; identifying financial resources for beginning farmers; and assisting farmers with the transition to their own land.  The Tilian Farm Development Center is a program of the Food System Economic Partnership (FSEP), a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization formed in 2005 to catalyze change that results in vibrant and sustainable food economies in communities across southeast Michigan. 

 

Summary:

            The Program Manager will oversee program development and implementation of both the Incubator Farm Program and the Anchor Farm Program at the Tilian Farm Development Center near Ann Arbor, Michigan.  The Incubator program is completing its fourth season and the Program Manager will be responsible for recruiting and selecting a new cohort of incubator farmers, providing on-site management and technical support, and coordinating with other staff to create a meaningful mentorship program and series of pertinent educational workshops for incubator farmers.  This is a challenging opportunity for a person excited about supporting new farmers and strengthening connections within the larger food community.

 Excellent candidates for this position will possess strong knowledge of organic vegetable and/or livestock production, experience facilitating groups, skills in business planning and development, a demonstrated aptitude for cultivating relationships within the greater food and business community, and a self-motivating work ethic.  Ideal candidates will have previous experience running a market farm, including experience with year-round production techniques including hoophouse use.

The Program Manager position is part-time (average 20 hrs/wk with seasonal variation) and is funded through December 2015 via a grant through the Americana Foundation and funding through Jackson County Government.  FSEP is currently pursuing additional funding to extend the position beyond the expiration of the grant.  

 

Essential Functions:

 

On-site program management:

 

·         Work with the Tilian Program Advisory Committee to recruit and select new incubator farms for the next growing season.

 

 

·         Coordinate infrastructure and equipment use and sharing by incubator farmers and ensure compliance with farmer leases and all operating standards.

·         Maintain a regular physical presence at Tilian and be available to incubator farmers.

·         Provide on-site technical assistance to program participants related to the daily operations of a year-round diversified vegetable farm including: planting, cultivation, soils, pest and disease management, harvest and post-harvest handling, marketing and distribution.  

·         Facilitate monthly farm meetings with Tilian participants to facilitate peer-to-peer learning and provide technical assistance.

·         Serve as the main point of contact for the Tilian Farm Development Center, including website inquiries and social media updates.

 

·         Cultivation and harvest of approximately .5 to .75 acres of vegetables weekly.

 

·         Market Tilian Farm Development Center at various events locally through tabling and attendance.

 

 

Program development and implementation:

 

·         Document activity data and report on program deliverables under the Americana Foundation Grant, with support from the FSEP Board of Directors.

·         Lead the development and delivery of a formal mentorship program for Tilian participants.

·         Lead the development and delivery of business planning and marketing workshops for Tilian participants and the delivery of networking opportunities for farmers with institutional buyers.

·         Develop and update program material for the Incubator Farm Program, including job descriptions, standard operating procedures, etc.

·         Work with the FSEP Board of Directors and the Tilian Program Advisory Committee to create and implement program budgets for 2015 and beyond, as required.

·         Meet regularly with the FSEP Board Contact on a mutually agreeable schedule.

·         Attend monthly meetings of the Tilian Program Advisory Committee.

·         Attend meetings of the FSEP Board of Directors as necessary.

 

Qualifications  

·         Minimum of 2 years of farm management experience 

·         Extensive knowledge of organic or ecological vegetable production 

·         Extensive experience in the use of farm equipment (including tractors) 

·         Demonstrated success at program development and implementation 

·         Demonstrated ability to work well with people from a variety of backgrounds 

·         Excellent written and verbal communication skills 

·         Comfortable documenting and reporting on grant deliverables

·         Excellent computer skills, especially spreadsheets, word processing, email and common social media

 

Additional Desired Skills

·         Experience in business planning and development

·         Experience with informal or formal education

·         Hoophouse and season-extension production experience

·         Livestock, grain, or fruit production experience

 

 Dates: Aug 11, 2014 - December 31, 2015, with continuation based on funding

 

Compensation: TBD based on experience  

  

 To apply: please send resume, cover letter, and 3 references to: [log in to unmask].  

 Subject line: Tilian Program Manager

  

 Application Deadline:  July 11, 2014.

 

 

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Jackson County Office                                   Phil Tocco

1715 Lansing Ave                                            Extension Educator

Jackson, MI 49202                                         Preharvest Food Safety

Phone:     (517)788-4292                               Agriculture and Agribusiness Institute

Fax:           (517)788-4640

Cell:          (517) 416-5314

 

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