AMP Market Coordinator

Rodale Institute•Kutztown, PA

6d•Remote

About The Position

The AMP Market Coordinator will assist awardees with expanding their marketing opportunities through the creation of market plans, connect farmers with new buyers, and set up and run marketing workshops that will assist participant farmers with training and expansion into local, regional, and national supply chains. Travel throughout the southeastern United States is required throughout the year. Additionally, this position will provide technical assistance to designated farmers for organic transition plans and/or conservation production plans as needed and in collaboration with the AMP Farm Coordinators. The AMP Market Coordinator will assist with reviewing farmer applications and other items needed to manage and maintain program workflow and efficiency. This position will report to the AMP Program Manager and will work directly with the AMP Program Director and AMP Farm Coordinators, as well as work indirectly with the Consulting, Communications & Marketing, Development, and Education departments at Rodale Institute. The AMP Market 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.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness, Marketing, or related field
2-4 years of experience; an equivalent combination of education or experience is acceptable
Knowledge of farming and ranching in the southeastern United States
NRCS Technical Service Provider certification in organic transition and conservation production plans and other job-related certifications, or willingness to acquire
Good interpersonal communication skills and ability to work with a wide range of farming professions, researchers, NGO teams and the public
Must possess sound judgment, excellent reasoning, and decision-making skills
Must have excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple projects
Responsiveness and attention to farmer needs is essential
Ability to work well with others is required, while creating a high-quality and respectful work environment
Must be able to work independently while supporting the efforts of an overall team
Must be able to work effectively in a remote environment
Excellent writing and verbal communications skills
Must be able to meet the travel requirements of the position and maintain a valid and unrestricted driver’s license
Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint

Nice To Haves

Experience working as or with organic and conventional farmers in the southeastern United States
Knowledge of and interest in farming, environmental issues, and science preferred
Working knowledge of the National Organic Program
NRCS Technical Service Provider job-related certifications

Responsibilities

Act as Rodale Institute program contact for designated participating farmers
Ensure designated farmers submit FSA documents and subsidiary prints to Rodale Institute annually
Build strong, collaborative relationships with industry personnel, including but not limited to: buyers/supply chain actors, other regional AMP projects, and regional food business centers
Develop markets plans for program farmers as needed
Assist participant farmers expand their marketing potential via online sales, CSA, wholesale, farmers markets, farm to restaurant, etc. as needed
Connect participant farmers and regional buyers (i.e. food hubs, coops, etc.) as well as multi-regional buyers (i.e. CPG brands, wholesale buyers, etc.)
Facilitate events for program producers to meet buyers, network with other producers, and learn about processing and marketing channels
Provide 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 needed and in collaboration with the AMP Farm Coordinators
Support designated organic and/or transitioning farmers understanding of processor/handler NOP rules as needed
Work with the AMP Program Manager and AMP Farm Coordinators in identifying awardee farmer certification needs to enhance their marketing potential
Perform NRCS CPA 52 environmental evaluations on designated farms as needed and in collaboration with the AMP Farm Coordinators
Attend agriculture meetings, conferences, field days, and other events across the region to represent the AMP and Rodale Institute
Assist with participant farm research as needed
Collaborate with regional partners to ensure participant famers receive prompt marketing technical assistance
Other items as needed to ensure the program runs smoothly and all deliverables and objectives are met
Assist in farmer grant application development
Review grant applications in collaboration with the Rodale Institute AMP team
Assist in retrieving required participation documentation from the farmers and FSA offices
Ensure designated farmers submit FSA documents and subsidiary prints to Rodale Institute annually
Assist in gathering required farmer reporting data from designated farmers
Retrieve farmer data from FarmRaise as needed throughout the program
Develop reports of coordinator activities as requested by USDA and external funders
Participate in regular team meetings
Maintain complete and accurate client and project files as required
Stay updated on organic certification standards and policies to ensure designated organic producers are or will be compliant with the NO
Continue to develop knowledge of market trends and supply chain conditions
Complete job related NRCS Technical Service Provider Certifications as needed