Company description

The National Young Farmers Coalition represents, mobilizes, and engages young farmers to ensure their success. We envision a country where young people who are willing to work, get trained and take a little risk can support themselves and their families in farming.

In order to achieve this vision, we are building a coalition of farmers, ranchers and supportive consumers of all racial, ethnic, social and economic backgrounds. Social justice and equity are central to our programs, and tackling the structural barriers facing young farmers of all communities is a central organizing strategy. We currently have 39 chapters in 26 states and a grassroots reach of over 140,000 people.

The National Young Farmers Coalition is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, political orientation or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local law. We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ individuals, and veterans to apply.

Job description

NYFC seeks a full-time policy associate to advocate for policy reform around access to land and other critical young farmer needs in Pennsylvania. The key activities of this role will be to work with staff at the PA Department of Agriculture, develop policy proposals with legislators, and collaborate with partners to conduct research and outreach. The associate will work directly with other members of NYFC’s national leadership. This is a full-time position.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead NYFC’s policy work in Pennsylvania, building on significant groundwork and partnership established by NYFC’s team.
• Serve as a voice for young farmers across the state, working to address the key barriers that they face to establishing a career in farming, particularly around the challenge of land access.
• Build evidence and generate support for NYFC’s land access policy priorities by researching and writing a white paper on the issue.
• Work with NYFC’s Western Pennsylvania Organizer to develop a land access policy agenda for NYFC in Pennsylvania outlining key administrative and policy changes that will help protect affordable farmland and keep farmers on the land.
• Develop partnerships with legislators, administrative staff, and others in the state to advocate for policy change on behalf of young farmers—including pursuing modifications to existing legislation, proposing new legislation, and recommending changes to program administration.
• Work with county-level farmland preservation boards to encourage prioritization of projects with farmland affordability provisions other activities that will create affordable land access opportunities for farmers.
• Elevate policy objectives through outreach activities, such as writing press releases and op-eds.
• Work with the Western Pennsylvania Organizer to organize fly-ins and in-district meetings between NYFC’s farmer members and legislators.
• Develop strong organizational partnerships with advocacy groups, service providers, government staff, and land trusts.
• Support and inform NYFC’s land access work more broadly.

Qualifications:

The candidate must:

• Strongly identify with NYFC’s Mission, Vision and Guiding Principles.
• Have experience with federal and/or state policy analysis.
• Have experience crafting and implementing legislative campaigns.
• Be bold and willing to meet new people and make introductions to farmers, elected officials, business owners and funders.
• Be highly organized with a strong attention to detail.
• Be an excellent and creative communicator with diverse audiences, both in writing and in front of groups.
• Take initiative to identify and carry out the work that needs to be done to a high standard of excellence.
• Be self-directed and able to work independently – but also be a strong team player.
• Thrive in a fast-paced environment.

The ideal candidate may also:

• Have strong familiarity with Pennsylvania’s agricultural communities, organizations, and legislature.
• Have experience working on a farm and/or be rooted in the farm community.
• Hold a relevant graduate degree in law, economics or policy.
• Have specific experience in agricultural, food and conservation policy.

Compensation:

• Full-time position, $50-55k salary, commensurate with experience.
• Health care, dental, vision benefits.
• Family and medical leave.
• Vacation accrual, personal days, and farm volunteer opportunities.
• NYFC offices are closed for seven holidays, the day after Thanksgiving, and December 24-31st.

Compensation

this position is: salaried, varies DOE, $50,000.00 - $55,000.00

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline