Farm Business Advisor

Kitchen Table Advisors•Marin / Napa / Sonoma Counties, CA

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

Kitchen Table Advisors (KTA) partners with under-resourced farmers and ranchers across Northern and Central California to help build thriving businesses and more equitable food systems. Through long-term, bilingual one-on-one business advising, KTA helps producers strengthen the financial and business skills needed to achieve their goals. Its ecosystem-building work addresses broader barriers by expanding equitable access to land, capital, markets, and leadership opportunities. The Farm Business Advisor provides in-depth one-on-one business advising to under-resourced farmers and ranchers, cultivates trusted relationships, and collaborates within and outside KTA to build opportunities for equitable access to land, capital, and markets. The position also contributes to organizational impact measurement, storytelling, and development, and shares leadership in shaping the organization’s future. The role serves the North Bay Region—Marin, Napa, and Sonoma counties—and is hybrid, with frequent in-person meetings throughout the region. Applicants must live in the region served and have experience with its regional food system. The position is full-time and exempt, with a salary range of $75,000–$95,000. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience running a small business or providing coaching, consulting, or technical assistance to small business owners; food or farm business experience is preferred.
At least 2 years of on-the-ground experience on a farm as a farm business owner or farm worker.
At least 2 years of hands-on experience with business and financial analysis, practical business planning, and financial management and decision-making.
General understanding of direct-to-consumer market channels, such as CSAs and farmers’ markets, and wholesale channels, such as grocery stores, restaurants, and distributors.
Understanding of, or ability to quickly learn, the network and relationship landscape for sustainable farms, food businesses, and nonprofit partners in Northern California.
High emotional intelligence, including the ability to navigate delicate situations and relationships with grace, take responsibility, adapt to people with different backgrounds and experiences, and learn from mistakes.
Ability to stay organized, advance multiple projects and priorities simultaneously, and reprioritize as needed.
Demonstrated passion for sustainable food and farms.
Access to a vehicle and ability to drive within a multi-county region for advising sessions and outside the region for team events and conferences.
Valid driver’s license and ability to travel periodically throughout Northern and Central California.
Ability to work evenings and weekends occasionally as needed for events.
Bilingual English/Spanish fluency is required.

Nice To Haves

Native Spanish speaker preferred.
Experience with food or farm businesses preferred.

Responsibilities

Build trust-based relationships with farmer and rancher clients and directly manage a portfolio of active and alumni clients.
Participate in the client lifecycle, from recruitment through support during key business inflection points, including potential farm transitions or exits.
Advise clients on business planning, markets and marketing, financial management, recordkeeping systems, cash-flow projections and budgeting, crop planning, access to capital and land, and organizational management.
Connect clients with tools, knowledge, skills, and resources to build resilient and viable businesses.
Leverage the expertise of KTA team members to assist clients and provide expertise to other Business Advisors as needed.
Participate in regional partnerships with nonprofits, farm technical assistance providers, and others to support clients; maintain positive professional relationships with partners.
Report to and collaborate with the Regional Program Director to align work with regional and organizational goals; participate in team meetings, check-ins, and regular reflection and feedback processes.
Create an annual work plan based on organizational and professional goals, hold oneself accountable to it, and communicate progress to the team.
Support or participate in program activities, including client gatherings, communications, recruitment, and training spaces.
Collaborate with Operations to enter and manage client data in Salesforce in a timely manner and provide ongoing feedback on system design.
Provide input on program goals to inform program strategy.
Collaborate with Development and Communications on activities such as farm tours, photo and storytelling opportunities, and sharing client stories for grants and communications.
Support regional ecosystem efforts as needed.
Attend conferences as identified by the manager to represent KTA, network, build relationships, identify resources, and participate in events.
Participate in shared leadership activities, including facilitating team meetings and taking notes.
Participate in interviews for new team members as needed.
Complete administrative tasks promptly, including timesheets, expense reports, and meeting scheduling.
Travel periodically throughout Northern and Central California for client meetings, partner meetings, regional visits, team events, and conferences; occasionally work evenings or weekends for events.