Small Farms Resource and Innovation Center (SFRIC) Director

NCAT • Greensboro, NC

28d

About The Position

The Small Farms Resource and Innovation Center ( SFRIC ) Director will guide the center to capitalize on opportunities and address challenges by examining pressing issues and trends that affect small farmers in the broader food, agricultural and environmental systems. The position will help the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences ( CAES ) integrate its efforts in research, extension, and teaching innovations spanning food, agriculture, and environmental sciences to collaboratively complement and strengthen tailored outreach to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers (SDFRs). The SFRIC Director will also help CAES expand and elevate its overall outreach that enhances the economy, environment, and well-being of people in North Carolina and beyond through research-based information and education. The SFRIC Director will work to reduce threats to small farmers’ economic viability. The traditional view of the importance of farming and value of agricultural enterprises has shifted in the last decade. What was once seen as a viable and sustainable way to make a living and provide economic impact in communities is no longer a viable option for next generational farmers. Many of these threats are due to diminishing returns on their investments (cash and assets invested into the operation of their farming enterprises to only break even or potential lose money) and emergence of “big box” e-commerce distributors that have revolutionized how products are sold and delivered. The SFRIC Director will operate across the college’s tripartite mission of teaching, research, and extension while applying full understanding of the ecology of farming and integration across agricultural disciplines and the production spectrum (production-marketing-consumption).

Requirements

• A Master’s degree in Agriculture or other related discipline and at least 10 years of experience in outreach, teaching or working in a position involving agriculture, agribusiness, agricultural marketing
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work with teams and build partnerships
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, to document and market program impacts, and provide leadership and demonstrate self-reliance in collaborative environment

Nice To Haves

• Ph.D. in Agriculture or closely related field and at least 5 years of experience in areas related to:
• Knowledge of NC agriculture and the needs of the limited resource farmers and ranchers
• Track record of developing and maintaining a network of positive relationships and partnerships with organizations, including in the public sector, industry and/or community groups
• Understanding of the issues and challenges affecting small farmers and opportunities for ensuring sustainability of small farming communities
• Experience in developing and delivering impactful professional materials on topics related to program development and policy for small farmers
• Ability to research and analyze complex topics and data related to program impacts, financial/budgetary matters, and policies pertaining to small farmers and limited resource communities
• Experience of aiding in policy or program development in collaboration with public and private agencies
• Prior experience and success securing competitive grants and contracts

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees