Cornell Cooperative Extension

Region 8 Associations

Classification Title: Senior Extension Resource Educator (Exempt)

Functional Title: Regional Farm Business Transition Educator

Supervisor: Region 8 Executive Directors

General Responsibilities:

The Regional Farm Business Transition Educator will be responsible for regional program delivery and community education throughout Cornell Cooperative Extension Region 8. Working with existing County Association based educators and with Cornell faculty resources, the educator will serve as an educational resource specialist to support and provide in-depth subject matter content in the area of Farm Business Transition. She/he will be responsible for program development, program implementation, evaluation, outreach, and sustainability.

This position will staff a special, grant-funded regional project. The focus of the project is to assist new and transitioning farmers, especially those who want to move successfully into less traditional North County farming options, including livestock, organic production and so forth. The vision is to facilitate transition of the agricultural economy toward a future where traditional agricultural pursuits, particularly dairy, are strong and thriving, while strong companion agricultural enterprises provide additional opportunities for farm profitability.

This proposal targets farmers involved in alternative farm-based agricultural ventures, primarily in livestock production. These ventures include, but are not limited to, beef cattle, sheep, goat, poultry, heritage breeds, organic, naturally raised, grass-fed production, and related topics of alternative agricultural production.

Specific goals will include the following

• Increase in the profitability of the region’s farms and farmers.
• Increase in the income and profitability per production unit.
• Expansion of the agricultural options for the region’s landowners.
• Increase in the personal rewards and enhancement in the quality of life of farmers, their families and the communities of the region.
• Expansion of the productive and profitable use of the region’s agricultural land resource.
• Increase in the diversity of agricultural enterprises in Northern New York.
• Strengthening of the agricultural support infrastructure.
• Strengthening of the region’s position in local, state and global markets.
• Development of farmer-to-farmer learning opportunities and networking.
• Development of regional farm support agency networking.

Job Duties

Program Development, Outreach and Implementation 90%

This position will implement a specific work plan, as follows:

Year One

Month 1-2

• Identification of existing non-dairy livestock operations (a census) and associated organizations, i.e. Beef, Sheep and Goat Associations, Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI), other organizations and agencies in the six county area (a directory). No such resource exists at present that covers the region as a whole, although pieces exist within each county. This census and directory is believed to be a badly needed and important resource and would be made available as appropriate to existing support providers and others in the region in order to build capacity.
• Identification of existing marketing outlets.
• Identification of existing non-dairy livestock expertise in the six county region, including specializing vets, nutritionists, grazing consultants, etc.
• Identification of Extension-based expertise.
• Establishment of an advisory committee to guide progress and further determine programming needs.

Month 3 through 5-

• Creation of discussion group meetings across the six county region.
• Establishment of appropriate communication and collaboration methods for the six county region for producers and educators, i.e. website, discussion board, other.
• Establishment of a schedule of regular contributions to association newsletters with other authors to be assigned as appropriate.
• Establishment of a project newsletter.
• Establishment of 6 case study farms– identify and obtain consent of participants, obtain baseline data on sales, profit, best management practices, and production methods. Identify best management practices across group of 6 case studies.
• Establishment of individual plan of work for the educator, with three types of educational programming streams:

1. Whole Farm Plan Project- Participants will commit to at least a one-year involvement with one classroom session per month, one mentor meeting per month, homework and assigned reading. Course deliverable to be the completion of a Whole Farm Plan, including the establishment of a farm specific advisory committee. These plans will address identified barriers to growth and success. The Plan will identify goals and objectives of business owner, and farm specific measures of improved competitiveness, growth and success. Existing Extension Educators will share leadership, teaching and mentoring responsibilities. Non-Extension mentors will be identified with the help of association staff from local community and will include agribusiness professionals.

2. Timely, topical and interest related workshops, as determined by the self-identified needs of producers. Existing Association educators will share leadership and teaching responsibilities. Cornell-based and other expertise and resources will be used as needed and appropriate. Initial suggested topics for seminars, workshops and hands-on demonstrations include, but are not limited to:

· Tours of transitioned facilities

· General as well as species-specific animal care and physiology; with information on reproduction, nutrition and feeding, preventative health care, etc.

· Land use issues such as reclamation and transition

· Multi-species grazing enterprise information

3. Individual on-farm educational consultations on a targeted and limited basis.

Months 5 through 12 –

• Implementation of plan of work as described above with monthly reporting of plan activities

Year 2

• Continue Implementation of plans of work as described above
• Review and revise census and inventory after 12 months
• Report on Plan activities. Compile a progress report of Whole Farm Planning Project. The report should include summaries of meetings with project coordinator and mentors and should show progress of case study farms. It should include identification of opportunities for the continuation and growth of this program area.
• Obtain feedback from community via performance review or other appropriate method.
• Establish a five year continuation plan for the region designed to sustain and strengthen the project activities in order to insure the on-going capacity of the region to support the targeted audience.
• Continued networking with related organizations, agencies and support professionals in the region.

Program Evaluation 10%

Program evaluation will include assessment of impact including the following measures:

• Existing number of alternative agriculture ventures.
• Number of new alternative agriculture ventures.
• Assessment of changes in profitability reported by alternative agriculture ventures.
• Participation in alternative agriculture ventures including holistic farm planning, land-use planning and business planning.

• Number of alternative agriculture ventures using and enacting business plans.
• Number of alternative agriculture ventures cooperating on labor and equipment use.
• Number of alternative agriculture ventures cooperating on marketing and distribution.
• Number of alternative agriculture ventures achieving agricultural tax assessment on their properties.
• Assessment of personal satisfaction of farmers engaged in alternative agriculture ventures.

Qualifications

Minimum Education Required: Masters Degree in an appropriate field and two years experience in farm business required. Additional background in livestock highly desired. Experience in an educational setting also desired.

Key Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

· Ability to initiate, plan, organize, implement, and evaluate non-formal educational programs.

· Ability to organize and facilitate farmer-to-farmer learning activities

· Knowledge of farm business transition processes.

· Ability to relate effectively to co-workers, community leaders, professionals, and diverse public.

· Ability to effectively utilize public input and professional expertise in the development of program direction.

· Ability to use a variety of program delivery methods to reach individuals and groups.

· Excellent oral and written communication skills.

· Capability to effectively utilize computer technology in instructional and administrative settings.

Special Requirements

· Must furnish own transportation and have ability to meet the travel requirements of the position.

· Must be able to accommodate a flexible work schedule, including nights and weekends as required.

APPLICATIONS will be reviewed beginning 05/19/2006, or until an acceptable pool of applicants has been identified.

Send letter of intent, resume, and transcripts to PA#400, Box 26, Kennedy Hall, Cornell U, Ithaca, NY 14853.

**Individuals who bring a diverse perspective and are supportive of diversity are strongly encouraged to apply.

Cornell Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://www.cce.cornell.edu