Job description

The Latino Farmers Cooperative of Louisiana is seeking a bilingual (English and Spanish), full-time Farm & Business Development Manager (FBDM) to deepen connections between the organization and the Latino farm community, agri-businesses and other non-profits organizations dealing with beginning farmers and ranchers. The primary responsibility of the FBDM is to create and oversee a year-round crop production system in a demonstration ecological farm. The “Farmer Incubator Project” is rooted on the multi-disciplinary concept of farm-to-table approach that includes disciplines such as community nutrition, nutrition education, public health, sustainable agriculture, anti-hunger and community development.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Agricultural Development

*Design, implement and procure farming infrastructures and equipment;

* Maintain records of crop planting, crop rotation, daily weather observations, pest control, and fertilizer applications;

* Design and maintain irrigation system;

* Manage greenhouse and plant propagation;

* Manage weed, pest, and plant diseases;

* Research and report crop development and production;

* Encourage proper safety practices;

* Be responsible for livestock, farm budget, ordering and purchasing farm tools;

Business Development

* Develop relationships with local, regional and national agriculture groups, community partners as well as businesses;

* Support food enterprise development and business-based approaches;

* Plan, develop and market all aspects of farm production enterprise (marketing, sales and distribution);

* Identify and develop training materials as well as marketing tools;

* Facilitate workshops, trainings, field trips,and group sessions;

Supervision

* Coordinate, supervise and mentor volunteers, interns, apprentices, “sweat equity” members as well as visitors;

* Prepares appropriate volunteer training and procedure manuals; and

* Facilitate hand-on learning experiences with participants in areas of science, math, and ecology.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience:

The candidate must have a minimum of three years of agricultural experience and a minimum of two years of farm management. He/she must demonstrate capacity and willingness to understand and work with an immigrant population. The FBDM must demonstrate working knowledge of the farm industry. He/she must have experience with engine maintenance, irrigation and farm machinery. Experience in small business development is highly valued including sales and marketing toward achievement of financial goals.

Skills and Abilities:

· Excellent bilingual (English/Spanish) oral and written communication skills;

· Ability to initiate, lead, and work independently as well as being a team player;

· Ability to perform multiple tasks and work a flexible schedule, occasionally including weekends;

· Ability to physically lift 40 pounds repeatedly, wake up early, and do physical labor 40+ hours/week;

· Valid driver’s license/vehicle insurance and reliable transportation preferred;

· Effective “hands-on” user of Microsoft Office;

· Carpentry skills are a plus.

ABOUT THE LATINO FARMERS COOPERATIVE OF LOUISIANA

The Latino Farmers Cooperative of Louisiana (LFCL) is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization that was founded in March of 2008 to address the growing poverty, hunger, racial inequalities, and human needs of the Greater of New Orleans Latino community. LFCL mission is to organize an integrated community food security system to better the social and economic life of the community, to enrich the environment, and to improve human welfare. LFCL further seeks to combat issues of racial justice, immigrant rights specifically food justice by developing advocacy efforts and by using a grassroots organizing models. To accomplish its mission, LFCL provides access to farmland, farm tools, community resources, education, and training to address the socioeconomic issues of the Latino community.

Compensation

this position is:

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline