Executive Director 

Shared Ground Farmers' Co-op (SGFC) is a marketing and distribution cooperative majority-owned by Latino farms in MN and western WI. We market our farms’ sustainably grown produce to restaurants, grocery outlets, farm to school programs and other wholesale accounts in the Twin Cities and direct to consumers through a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program.  SGFC has spent the last five years growing a strong network of a diverse group of farmers and building a cooperative structure where the farmers are placed at the center of power. What is good for the Coop has to be good for the farmers. SGFC has had success at building a strong foundation for a thriving Farmers’ Cooperative here in the Twin Cities. We have a network of over 25 diverse small farmers, strong organizational partnerships, and markets that support our vision.  We are looking to build on this success in the years ahead and are searching for a dynamic individual who can bring enthusiasm, leadership, and vision to our work of farmer empowerment, economic opportunity, and justice.

SGFC’s Board of Directors is comprised of our 7 owner farms. The ED will exercise day-to-day general executive control and management of the business and affairs of SGFC, while carrying out the policy and strategic directions of the Board of Directors.  The ED reports to the Board of Directors and is evaluated by the Governance Committee of the Board of Directors. The ED will be working alongside staff and farmers to ensure that our core mission of making environmentally sustainable farming a living wage job for any who choose to pursue it, especially for black and brown farmers, continues to be the focus of the Coop’s work.

Responsibilities:

The ongoing responsibilities of the ED include, but are not limited to:

Leadership and Management:

• Ensure the continued excellence of SGFC as a premier Twin Cities’ Food Cooperative with rigorous evaluation of its operations; recommend timelines and resources needed to achieve strategic goals of SGFC.
• Actively engage and energize SGFC’s Board, staff, farmers, and partner organizations.
• Develop, maintain, and support a strong Board of Directors; seek and build board involvement with strategic direction and overall health of Cooperative.
• Hire, develop, oversee and retain SGFC’s managers and staff (with Board input).
• Ensure effective systems to track and regularly evaluate SGFC progress on key strategic initiatives and goals

Business and Finance

• Develop and maintain yearly budget for SGFC, working closely with Board Treasurer to ensure proper control and tracking of SGFC’s Finances.
• Prepare Quarterly Finance Reports to Board of Directors.
• With consultation from Board of Directors, research and apply to funding opportunities that support the work and objectives of SGFC.
• Work with SGFC Accountant to ensure proper filing and payment of taxes, payroll, etc.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Ability to lead and work collaboratively within a dynamic multi-cultural and multi-stakeholder environment.
• Passion for food, farming, and working towards social, economic, and food justice.
• Demonstrated leadership ability and supervisory experience.
• Working knowledge of bookkeeping, budgeting, and financial management
• Ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written Spanish.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience in the fields of local foods, Cooperatives, Agriculture, and/or similar industries.
• At least three years of experience leading in a small business and/or non-profit
• An entrepreneurial attitude, flexibility, and the ability to work in a demanding, fast-paced, and mission-centered environment.

Preferred:

• Experience applying for and administering Federal Grants.
• Knowledge of food safety and quality standards
• Agricultural experience
• Experience in the Twin Cities local food scene

Working Environment:

SGFC’s warehouse and office are in the same building.  We have a large shared-office space with Twin Cities Mobile Market.  During the growing season the warehouse can be very busy and it would be expected that the ED be willing and able to help out in the warehouse when called upon.  SGFC is intimately connected to its farmers and the seasonal workload is similar to a farming season.  The months of June – October are vital months to the Cooperative’s business model and it would be expected that the ED understand that reality.

Salary/Benefits:

SGFC is looking for a part-time Executive Director.  Exact amount of hours worked will depend on candidate preference but would be between 20 to 30 hours per week.  Salary would be based on $60,000 - $75,000 full time salary depending on experience.  SGFC currently offers a tax free health insurance benefit of $375/ month.  This benefit can be used to pay individual health insurance premiums or to cover qualified medical expenses. 

 
Application will be on a rolling basis with the ideal candidate starting in mid-January.