Beginning Farmer Outreach Program Manager

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University of New Hampshire

Location: Durham, New Hampshire
Category: Admin-Extension and Outreach
Application Deadline:

Job Description

Operating Title

Beginning Farmer Outreach Program Manager

Long Classification Title

Assistant Extension Program Manager

Campus Location

Durham

Department

UNH Cooperative Extension Food and Agriculture

Summary of Position

This position can be based in any county office in New Hampshire or on campus in Durham, with potential for remote work as determined appropriate with supervisor.

The beginning farmer program manager will be responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating outreach programs for beginning farmers under the general direction of the designated supervisor. This position is funded by a three-year grant project focused on providing outreach programs and resources to train beginning farmers to be “climate-ready:” reducing their risk in crop and animal losses, preserving the resources needed to keep their farms viable, and maintaining or increasing a local supply of food to the public. Targeted participation will be to beginning farmers who currently operate their farms as a business with the intent to make a profit.

Together with partners who currently are a conduit to many beginning farmer audiences, the beginning farmer outreach program manager will work with Extension specialists to assess the need and offer a variety of outreach events to reach beginning farmers of varied backgrounds in a variety of formats, including in-person workshops and schools, webinars, and on-farm demonstration and field days. Furthermore, the program manager is responsible for ensuring Extension education is inclusive and reaching underserved audiences in New Hampshire. An important component to this work is building partnerships with agriculture service providers in New Hampshire who support beginning farmers, and ensuring consistent and quality outreach communication and resources are updated and maintained for the beginning farmer audience. This position will have occasional night and weekend programmatic responsibilities.

The position will continue beyond the grant period dependent on continuation of funding.

Acceptable minimum level of education

Bachelor's

Acceptable minimum years of experience

2 years

Posting Number

PS4831FY25

Other minimum qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline and two years of experience in work related to administering educational programs, or a master’s degree in a relevant discipline
At least one year of experience working on or with farms
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs
Availability to work some nights and weekends
Must have a valid driver’s license and be willing to travel for work. Mileage will be reimbursed at the current federal rate.

Additional Preferred Qualifications

Experience writing grant applications or administering grants
Understanding of the New Hampshire agriculture service providers and the industry
Knowledge of challenges facing beginning farmers in New Hampshire

Salary Information

Salary is complemented by a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental, retirement, tuition, and paid time off.

Quicklink for Posting

https://jobs.usnh.edu/postings/62916

Percent Time Information (FTE)

1.00

Grade

05

EEO Statement

The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access/Affirmative Action employer. The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus communities and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. The University System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or marital status.

Institution Information

The University of New Hampshire is an R1 Carnegie classification research institution providing comprehensive, high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs of distinction. UNH is located in Durham on a 188-acre campus, 60 miles north of Boston and 8 miles from the Atlantic coast and is convenient to New Hampshire’s lakes and mountains. There is a student enrollment of 13,000 students, with a full-time faculty of over 600, offering 90 undergraduate and more than 70 graduate programs. The University actively promotes a dynamic learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, life experiences, and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.

The UNH Diversity Resource Guide with information and programming available in the seacoast area, New Hampshire, and the region can be found here: https://www.unh.edu/hr/diversity-resource-guide

Posting Date

09/11/2024

Open Until Filled

Yes

Posting Open to Internal Candidates Only?

No

Interested Internal Candidates Exist?

No

Job Category

Salaried Staff (Exempt)

Appointment Type

Grant Funded

Drivers License and Physical Requirements. Please check all items that apply.

Valid Drivers License and Safe Driving Record

Duty/Responsibility

Educational Program Planning and Implementation

Plan and coordinate Extension outreach programs and activities, including annual New Farmer School; coordinate and implement on-farm demonstration events, in-person classroom events, and webinars. Plan and conduct a needs assessment to inform specific topic areas for these activities.
Develop evaluation tools and evaluate programming, measuring against grant and program outcomes
Prepare quarterly reports for grant reporting, submitting to grant supervisor in a timely manner
Coordinate evaluation data collection, completing timely reporting and analyzing program effectiveness, including preparing and submitting quarterly activities and contributing to grant reporting.
Develop web-based resources in conjunction with Extension field and state specialists, including a comprehensive resource guide for beginner farmers on emergency response planning.
Ensure programmatic involvement of underserved and underrepresented audiences and that all educational programming is designed and conducted in full accordance with civil rights, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Affirmative Action (AA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) policies and procedures.

Duty/Responsibility

Outreach and Communication

Prepare promotional materials in accordance with UNH Extension’s marketing and communication guidelines
Promote events and resources through newsletters and social media, as appropriate
Maintain electronic communication and resources for beginning farmer audience
Ensure inclusivity in outreach activities, with a focus on reaching socially disadvantaged and underserved beginning farmers

Duty/Responsibility

Collaboration and Partnership Management

Collaborate with partners through quarterly project advisory committee meetings; coordinate and facilitate these project meetings together with supervisor and project team
Engage with Natural Resources Conservation Service, county conservation districts, and other federal and state programs to support climate readiness initiatives and beginner farmer outreach
Coordinate with UNH Extension field specialists and external experts to identify relevant topics and secure presenters for educational events

Duty/Responsibility

Professional Development

Identify individual professional development goals in cooperation with supervisor and seek training in subject

Duty/Responsibility

Other Duties

Work with grant supervisor to ensure project expenses are properly submitted and budgeted
Participate in team meetings and perform related duties as assigned
Participate in committees within the organization and/or externally

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