AMP Farm Coordinator

The AMP Farm Coordinator will work remotely and reside in the Southeastern United States. Travel throughout the southeastern United States is required throughout the year. This position will work directly with designated farmers to provide technical assistance for the creation of organic transition plans and/or conservation production plans and the implementation of NRCS conservation practices. The AMP Farm Coordinator will coordinate, attend and train farmers at farmer education meetings, workshops, and events.  Additionally, this role will include reviewing farmer applications and other items needed to manage and maintain program workflow and efficiency.  This position will report directly to the AMP Program Manager and work in collaboration with the AMP Program Director, AMP Market Coordinator and other AMP Farm Coordinators.  This position will also work indirectly with the Consulting, Communications & Marketing, Development, and Education departments at Rodale Institute.

The AMP Farm 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.

Essential & Responsibilities:

• Act as Rodale Institute program contact for designated participating farmers
• Ensure designated farmers submit FSA documents and subsidiary prints to Rodale Institute annually
• Verify NRCS conservation practices on designated farms are being implemented to NRCS standards on designated participating farms
• Perform NRCS CPA 52 environmental evaluations on designated farms
• 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
• Provide scientifically sound agronomic recommendations to farmers regarding regenerative farming practices related to crop rotation, soil health, fertility, pests, weeds, disease, and more
• Assist farmers participating in NRCS conservation practices identify specialized farm equipment needed to perform new practices effectively and efficiently
• Verify NRCS conservation practices on designated farms are being implemented to NRCS standards on designated participating farms
• Provide technical assistance to designated farmers on marketing creation and expansion as needed and in collaboration with the AMP Marketing Coordinato
• Assist with participant farmer on-farm research as needed
• Coordinate, participate, and assist in education and outreach activities as needed, including workshops, marketing events, field days, and attending regional farm conferences
• Other items as needed to ensure the program runs smoothly and all deliverables and objectives are met
• Administrative tasks include:
  • 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 meeting
  • Maintain complete and accurate client and project files as required
• Participate in continuous learning:
  • 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 organic transition and conservation production plans, designated NRCS practices across all pertinent farming sectors, and the latest findings on best management practices in regenerative agriculture
  • Complete job related NRCS Technical Service Provider Certifications as needed. 

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture or related field, or equivalent farming experience 
• 2-4 years of demonstrated related work experience
• 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

Desired Qualifications:

• 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

Travel:

• Regular travel throughout the southeastern United States is required
• Some national travel for events and other meetings and conferences as needed

Compensation:

• Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience
• This position is eligible for a comprehensive Rodale Institute Benefits package
• This position is supported by the AMP grant and is funded through March of 2028, with no guarantee for refunding

Other Expectations:

• Be honest, respectful and take ownership of our work and mission

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, sexual identity or handicap.