The Center for Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurship is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit organization.  CADE's mission is to increase the number and diversity of successful farm enterprises and related businesses in New York. CADE works to build a vibrant food system, in which locally owned agricultural businesses thrive and consumers are nourished by healthy sustainably produced food.

CADE seeks a full-time Program Manager to for its Farm-to-School Supply Chain initiative that will create a model that will close gaps in the regional food supply chain by commodity--from farm to processor to distributor to school--unlocking the potential for public school districts in NY’s Southern Tier and Mohawk Valley to purchase 30% of food locally, to help realize NY’s new Farm-to-School law. The position is based at CADE’s office in Oneonta, NY (www.cadefarms.org). The deadline to apply is September 20, 2019.

Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of project implementation aimed at enhancing farm-to-school (F2S), local food procurement by closing gaps in the food supply chain, ensuring the project meets stated goals.

• Identify supply chain stakeholders required for engagement--producers, processors, distributors, school purchasers, and NYS public leaders--and develop / maintain strategic partnerships.

• Undertake a qualitative and quantitative research assessment, including by developing data collection tools, conducting key informant interviews, focus groups, etc., to identify relevant gaps and explore potential solutions with stakeholders.

• Put forward recommendations for all stakeholders on closing supply chain gaps, including by introducing sustained mechanisms to ensure a stable, F2S food supply chain.

• Convene relevant stakeholders to share assessment findings and test prospective solutions.

• Support implementation of solutions, putting in place new mechanisms while collecting regular feedback on successes or learnings.

• Capture and hone lessons, helping to define a model of success with potential for statewide replication.

• Put forward a successful F2S supply chain model to public leaders, NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, Regional Economic Development Councils, F2S communities of practice, and others to be considered for state-wide replication.

• Monitor overall project progress and conduct impact evaluations to assess project success

Qualifications

• 3-5 years experience implementing farm-to-school projects and/or school food purchasing

• Familiarity with supply chain stakeholders and NYS F2S legislation

• Experienced in conducting applied research (i.e., developing data collection tools, compiling and analyzing data, synthesizing and putting forward findings into public spaces) and supporting and facilitating implementation of findings in building a regional model.

• Demonstrated ability to engage and build bridges among diverse audiences

• Excellent facilitation and leadership skills

• Experienced in monitoring & evaluation and impact report writing

• Outstanding program/project management skills

• Bachelor’s degree in related field required; Master’s degree a plus

• Self-starting, highly motivated, big picture-oriented while attentive to detail

• Able to work well independently as well as part of a team