Position Description

Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Tompkins County

Working Title: Agriculture Marketing Specialist

Classification Title: Extension Resource Educator

Office Location: 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca, NY 14850

Supervisor’s Classification Title: Issue Leader

General Responsibilities:

This individual provides leadership for educational program development, delivery, and evaluation in areas of Agricultural Business Support and Marketing. Outreach efforts are to be directed at linking farms and buyers to increase consumer/buyer demand for local and regional products, improve farmers’ marketing success and efficiency, and expand their marketing options and opportunities in both direct to consumer and wholesale channels. This is accomplished through outreach to buyers and farmers, facilitated networking meetings, on-farm marketing assessments, database development, and on-line communication. This position is fully funded by grants and grant writing is required for its continuation. Work is carried under the direction of the Agriculture Issue Leader and coordinates work with the Area Agriculture Team, and collaborates with relevant CCETC staff and Cornell faculty on research and outreach projects.

Funding available through Dec. 2011.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Program Development, Priority Setting, Management, Coordination & Evaluation 25%

· Based on farmer and buyer input, develop innovative educational programs and effective work plans that respond to industry needs.

· Serve as the key liaison between funders, faculty, and participants ensuring stakeholder involvement in identifying and carrying out program goals.

· Devise evaluation tools and follow through to conduct assessments with participants to assess impacts of activities on local sales and farm income.

· Supervise work-study students involved in supporting grant and marketing projects.

· Coordinate planning and outreach with South Central NY Agriculture Team Members and other CCETC staff and volunteers as appropriate to achieve plan of work goals.

· Seek grant opportunities to fund outreach efforts and write/submit applications for funding.

· Manage program and grant funds.

· Prepare reports and other written materials as required.

· Provide general agriculture extension education program support as needed and assist in program planning and evaluation, arrange programs, prepare written information, promote programs via media, etc.

Subject Matter Resource and Program Delivery 70%

· Identify area buyers and gather information about products they are seeking. Communicate with growers about products in demand. Develop linkages that result in new reliable local supplies for area buyers.

· Arrange annual producer-farmer networking meetings or events including farm tours.

· Assist producers on evaluating marketing costs and in selecting the most cost effective marketing channel.

· Maintain a local producer database and elist to be used for development of Buy Local Guide and to assist with producer outreach.

· Produce resources to help producers and buyers access current product information via web, print and other relevant formats.

· Collaborate on Agriculture Program efforts to promote local agriculture to consumers through publications, at community events and via the media.

· Educate the public about how to buy local foods, in particular, local meats through workshops, events, publications, farm tours, etc.

· Interview farmers and write articles for area newspapers that feature local producers and how to access their products.

· Assist in strengthening area farmers’ markets to make them more viable for farmer vendors.

· Assist individual farmers with marketing and business decisions.

· Help teach beginning farmers classes and workshops.

Professional Improvement and Other Duties as Assigned 5%

· Participate in orientation and in-service education as appropriate to program and management responsibilities to maintain program excellence.

· Jointly develop and pursue professional improvement plan, in cooperation with the Agriculture Program Team Coordinator, to increase competency in position responsibilities.

· Attend relevant conferences and present results of activities to serve as a resource for other educators and producers. .

EEO/EPO

Ensure program outreach to diverse audiences, appreciate and embrace diversity in all interactions with program participants, staff, volunteers and the public in the spirit of CCE-Tompkins’ Diversity Statement.

Reporting Relationships:

This individual works as an independent professional under the direct supervision of the Agriculture Program Leader. Collaborate with South Central NY Agriculture Program Team and the Cornell Small Farms program and relevant Cornell faculty. Collaborate internally with CCETC staff. Supervises part-time staff, program volunteers and work-study students.

Education and Experience Required:

· Masters degree with coursework in agricultural economics, agricultural education, animal or plant science required.

· Related experience working on agricultural marketing issues.

· Experience working directly with farmers, service providers, and buyers.

· Experience working with volunteer advisors, committees and boards.

· Experience coordinating educational programs, events or activities

Desirable Experience:

· Three years experience working in agriculture, education and community outreach

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

· Knowledge of agricultural issues, in particular agricultural marketing systems

· Ability to delegate and supervise tasks.

· Demonstrated ability to be in a supportive and empowering role with others.

· Demonstrated grant writing success.

· Ability to plan, organize, deliver, and evaluate informal education and outreach programs.

· Ability to develop volunteer and other resources to support program activities.

· Ability to participate effectively in professional team efforts.

· Demonstrated cultural competency to involve people of diverse backgrounds.

· Ability to construct and monitor an annual work plan with a budget.

· Ability to evaluate and document program participation and effectiveness.

· Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through oral, written, and visual channels using traditional and computer technology.

Special Requirements:

· Adaptable to varied work assignments, able to work flexible hours including some evenings and weekends.

· Must meet travel requirements of the position. Mileage reimbursement will be provided.

· Ability to lift or provide instruction for lifting program materials.

APPLICATIONS will be reviewed beginning on 9/30/09, or until an acceptable pool of applicants has been identified.

Send letter of intent, resume, and transcripts to PA#499, 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. EOE.

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