AMP Farm Coordinator

The AMP Farm Coordinator will work remotely and reside in the Southeastern United States. Travel throughout the southeastern United States is required throughout the year. This position will work directly with designated farmers to provide technical assistance for the creation of organic transition plans and/or conservation production plans and the implementation of NRCS conservation practices. The AMP Farm Coordinator will coordinate, attend and train farmers at farmer education meetings, workshops, and events. Additionally, this role will include reviewing farmer applications and other items needed to manage and maintain program workflow and efficiency. This position will report directly to the AMP Program Manager and work in collaboration with the AMP Program Director, AMP Market Coordinator and other AMP Farm Coordinators. This position will also work indirectly with the Consulting, Communications & Marketing, Development, and Education departments at Rodale Institute.The AMP Farm Coordinator will work remotely from a home office and must be located within the southeastern United States (GA, AL, NC, SC, FL, KY, TN, LA, MS, OK, or TX). This position will require extensive regional travel with some national travel for events and other meetings and conferences as needed. This position is supported by the AMP grant and is funded through March of 2028, with no guarantee for refunding.AMP Program Summary: This position is funded through the USDA Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) grant that aims to expand regenerative agriculture and markets on farms across the Southeastern United States. This work will provide funding opportunities for: 1) Marketing grants funding technical assistance, education and resources needed to expand the marketing of regenerative commodities, 2) funds to install irrigation wells and transition to more sustainable irrigation strategies, 3) incentives and technical assistance for the implementation of NRCS conservation practices, including funds to purchase specialized equipment needed to perform new conservation practices and a bump up incentive for stacking 2+ practices on the same field, 4) funds for technical assistance and the resources needed to obtain and implement an organic transition plan and/or conservation production plan on their farm. Additionally, the program sponsors farmer educational events such as marketing events, field days and workshops.Essential & Responsibilities:Act as Rodale Institute program contact for designated participating farmersEnsure designated farmers submit FSA documents and subsidiary prints to Rodale Institute annuallyVerify NRCS conservation practices on designated farms are being implemented to NRCS standards on designated participating farmsPerform NRCS CPA 52 environmental evaluations on designated farmsProvide technical assistance to designated program farmers in the creation of organic transition plans and/or conservation production plans including traveling for on-site visits and remotely via phone and electronic meetings as neededProvide scientifically sound agronomic recommendations to farmers regarding regenerative farming practices related to crop rotation, soil health, fertility, pests, weeds, disease, and moreAssist farmers participating in NRCS conservation practices identify specialized farm equipment needed to perform new practices effectively and efficientlyVerify NRCS conservation practices on designated farms are being implemented to NRCS standards on designated participating farmsProvide technical assistance to designated farmers on marketing creation and expansion as needed and in collaboration with the AMP Marketing CoordinatoAssist with participant farmer on-farm research as neededCoordinate, participate, and assist in education and outreach activities as needed, including workshops, marketing events, field days, and attending regional farm conferencesOther items as needed to ensure the program runs smoothly and all deliverables and objectives are metAdministrative tasks include:Assist in farmer grant application developmentReview grant applications in collaboration with the Rodale Institute AMP teamAssist in retrieving required participation documentation from the farmers and FSA officesEnsure designated farmers submit FSA documents and subsidiary prints to Rodale Institute annuallyAssist in gathering required farmer reporting data from designated farmersRetrieve farmer data from FarmRaise as needed throughout the programDevelop reports of coordinator activities as requested by USDA and external fundersParticipate in regular team meetingMaintain complete and accurate client and project files as requiredParticipate in continuous learning:Stay updated on organic certification standards and policies to ensure designated organic producers are or will be compliant with the NOContinue to develop knowledge of organic transition and conservation production plans, designated NRCS practices across all pertinent farming sectors, and the latest findings on best management practices in regenerative agricultureComplete job related NRCS Technical Service Provider Certifications as needed. Required Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree in agriculture or related field, or equivalent farming experience 2-4 years of demonstrated related work experienceKnowledge of farming and ranching in the southeastern United StatesNRCS Technical Service Provider certification in organic transition and conservation production plans and other job-related certifications, or willingness to acquireGood interpersonal communication skills and ability to work with a wide range of farming professions, researchers, NGO teams and the publicMust possess sound judgment, excellent reasoning, and decision-making skillsMust have excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple projectsResponsiveness and attention to farmer needs is essentialAbility to work well with others is required, while creating a high-quality and respectful work environmentMust be able to work independently while supporting the efforts of an overall teamMust be able to work effectively in a remote environment Excellent writing and verbal communications skillsMust be able to meet the travel requirements of the position and maintain a valid and unrestricted driver’s licenseProficient with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPointDesired Qualifications:Experience working as or with organic and conventional farmers in the southeastern United StatesKnowledge of and interest in farming, environmental issues, and science preferredWorking knowledge of the National Organic ProgramNRCS Technical Service Provider job-related certificationsTravel:Regular travel throughout the southeastern United States is requiredSome national travel for events and other meetings and conferences as neededCompensation:Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experienceThis position is eligible for a comprehensive Rodale Institute Benefits packageThis position is supported by the AMP grant and is funded through March of 2028, with no guarantee for refundingOther Expectations:Be honest, respectful and take ownership of our work and missionAll qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, sexual identity or handicap.Originally posted on Himalayas

The AMP Farm Coordinator will work remotely and reside in the Southeastern United States. Travel throughout the southeastern United States is required throughout the year. This position will work directly with designated farmers to provide technical assistance for the creation of organic transition plans and/or conservation production plans and the implementation of NRCS conservation practices. The AMP Farm Coordinator will coordinate, attend and train farmers at farmer education meetings, workshops, and events. Additionally, this role will include reviewing farmer applications and other items needed to manage and maintain program workflow and efficiency. This position will report directly to the AMP Program Manager and work in collaboration with the AMP Program Director, AMP Market Coordinator and other AMP Farm Coordinators. This position will also work indirectly with the Consulting, Communications & Marketing, Development, and Education departments at Rodale Institute.The AMP Farm Coordinator will work remotely from a home office and must be located within the southeastern United States (GA, AL, NC, SC, FL, KY, TN, LA, MS, OK, or TX). This position will require extensive regional travel with some national travel for events and other meetings and conferences as needed. This position is supported by the AMP grant and is funded through March of 2028, with no guarantee for refunding.AMP Program Summary: This position is funded through the USDA Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) grant that aims to expand regenerative agriculture and markets on farms across the Southeastern United States. This work will provide funding opportunities for: 1) Marketing grants funding technical assistance, education and resources needed to expand the marketing of regenerative commodities, 2) funds to install irrigation wells and transition to more sustainable irrigation strategies, 3) incentives and technical assistance for the implementation of NRCS conservation practices, including funds to purchase specialized equipment needed to perform new conservation practices and a bump up incentive for stacking 2+ practices on the same field, 4) funds for technical assistance and the resources needed to obtain and implement an organic transition plan and/or conservation production plan on their farm. Additionally, the program sponsors farmer educational events such as marketing events, field days and workshops.Essential & Responsibilities:Act as Rodale Institute program contact for designated participating farmersEnsure designated farmers submit FSA documents and subsidiary prints to Rodale Institute annuallyVerify NRCS conservation practices on designated farms are being implemented to NRCS standards on designated participating farmsPerform NRCS CPA 52 environmental evaluations on designated farmsProvide technical assistance to designated program farmers in the creation of organic transition plans and/or conservation production plans including traveling for on-site visits and remotely via phone and electronic meetings as neededProvide scientifically sound agronomic recommendations to farmers regarding regenerative farming practices related to crop rotation, soil health, fertility, pests, weeds, disease, and moreAssist farmers participating in NRCS conservation practices identify specialized farm equipment needed to perform new practices effectively and efficientlyVerify NRCS conservation practices on designated farms are being implemented to NRCS standards on designated participating farmsProvide technical assistance to designated farmers on marketing creation and expansion as needed and in collaboration with the AMP Marketing CoordinatoAssist with participant farmer on-farm research as neededCoordinate, participate, and assist in education and outreach activities as needed, including workshops, marketing events, field days, and attending regional farm conferencesOther items as needed to ensure the program runs smoothly and all deliverables and objectives are metAdministrative tasks include:Assist in farmer grant application developmentReview grant applications in collaboration with the Rodale Institute AMP teamAssist in retrieving required participation documentation from the farmers and FSA officesEnsure designated farmers submit FSA documents and subsidiary prints to Rodale Institute annuallyAssist in gathering required farmer reporting data from designated farmersRetrieve farmer data from FarmRaise as needed throughout the programDevelop reports of coordinator activities as requested by USDA and external fundersParticipate in regular team meetingMaintain complete and accurate client and project files as requiredParticipate in continuous learning:Stay updated on organic certification standards and policies to ensure designated organic producers are or will be compliant with the NOContinue to develop knowledge of organic transition and conservation production plans, designated NRCS practices across all pertinent farming sectors, and the latest findings on best management practices in regenerative agricultureComplete job related NRCS Technical Service Provider Certifications as needed. Required Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree in agriculture or related field, or equivalent farming experience 2-4 years of demonstrated related work experienceKnowledge of farming and ranching in the southeastern United StatesNRCS Technical Service Provider certification in organic transition and conservation production plans and other job-related certifications, or willingness to acquireGood interpersonal communication skills and ability to work with a wide range of farming professions, researchers, NGO teams and the publicMust possess sound judgment, excellent reasoning, and decision-making skillsMust have excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple projectsResponsiveness and attention to farmer needs is essentialAbility to work well with others is required, while creating a high-quality and respectful work environmentMust be able to work independently while supporting the efforts of an overall teamMust be able to work effectively in a remote environment Excellent writing and verbal communications skillsMust be able to meet the travel requirements of the position and maintain a valid and unrestricted driver’s licenseProficient with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPointDesired Qualifications:Experience working as or with organic and conventional farmers in the southeastern United StatesKnowledge of and interest in farming, environmental issues, and science preferredWorking knowledge of the National Organic ProgramNRCS Technical Service Provider job-related certificationsTravel:Regular travel throughout the southeastern United States is requiredSome national travel for events and other meetings and conferences as neededCompensation:Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experienceThis position is eligible for a comprehensive Rodale Institute Benefits packageThis position is supported by the AMP grant and is funded through March of 2028, with no guarantee for refundingOther Expectations:Be honest, respectful and take ownership of our work and missionAll qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, sexual identity or handicap.Originally posted on Himalayas