Company description Mission: To build sustainable food and farming systems through policy advocacy and on-the-ground programs that create more resilient family farms, communities, and ecosystems.

Values:
Ecological Stewardship: We recognize that all farms and communities benefit from healthier and more resilient agroecosystems, particularly in the face of climate change and loss of biodiversity. We provide information and resources to meet farmers where they are and support them according to their unique circumstances so that they may become better land stewards.
Justice and Equity: We recognize the historic and lasting inequities in the California food and farming system. In order to achieve justice, we believe farmers of color, and other historically oppressed people, including immigrant, indigenous and women farmers, should have the opportunity to create and participate in a food and agriculture system that aligns with their needs, values, identities, knowledge systems, and communities. We commit to advancing racial, gender, and environmental justice in our larger systems, as well as in our own workplace because it is morally right and this diversity yields enhanced creativity, problem-solving as well as system-level resilience and wisdom.
Practical Solutions: We are rooted in the real-world needs of working farmers and see farmers of diverse backgrounds as knowledge holders. We offer opportunities for cross-pollination and provide practical resources that help farmers succeed as small businesses, local food providers and land stewards. We remain a resource hub for tools, events, and tips that they can apply directly in their day-to-day operations to be the best farmers they can be.
Economic Fairness: We promote a fair economic system that uplifts farmers’ dignity and gives them the freedom to make individual choices that meet the needs of their land, farm, families, and communities. We believe excessive corporate power undermines the prosperity of individual farmers, our communities, and the health of our democracy.
Centering Farmers: The future of farming rests on optimizing farms for farmers and recognizing the daily challenges they face in growing food, rather than maximum yields or output, which minimizes farmers and their communities and leads to extraction. Our programs and policies are guided by the expressed concerns, needs, and aspirations of farmers. Listening to and including farmers directly in decision-making is essential to advancing policies and programs that address their needs.
Strong Local Communities: We believe vibrant communities, anchored by strong local food economies, offer an antidote to concentrated corporate power. Our staff, board, and chapters aspire to strengthen relationships in their own backyards as part of the fabric of local communities, and allow the organization to remain connected to, informed and enriched by the diversity of California peoples. Job description

Position Summary: 

Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) is launching a new Farm-to-Market Technology Hub to support small family farms and food enterprises across California in adopting technology based solutions for their direct marketing challenges. The contractor(s) will work with our Tech Hub Specialist in providing direct technical support to hundreds of farmers across California resulting in increased sales for farm business and diversification of sales channels. Up to three contractors will be hired for these positions. Please read below for details and the break down of various projects. 

 

Core Responsibilities include:

• Provide direct support to farmers, ranchers, and food businesses (such as farmers market and food hubs) on web-based solutions that will make purchasing local food more convenient, accessible and competitive. Support includes assisting with answering technical questions, identifying what resources are available and how to access them, troubleshooting software issues, and general support as needed. 
• Assign regular office hours for farmers seeking support. 
• Keep internal tracking documents up to date with farm contacts and key details from tech support sessions.

 

Additional responsibilities to include: 

• Support the Tech Hub in producing resources, website templates, social media copy, and creating content for the new Tech Hub website. 
• Support with trainings offered via webinar, and other events when possible. 
• Build farmer and rancher capacity to use web-based tools to generate and coordinate sales, marketing, inventory management, and order fulfillment.
• Research and vet existing online tools for CAFF’s Tech Hub.
• Support with development of criteria for evaluating the efficacy of tools on behalf of farmers to inform a catalogue of resources.
• Support with marketing and raising the profile of the “Farm-to-Market Tech Hub” to communities and key partners across California.
• Help guide current and future innovation to develop tools better attuned to the real- world needs of small and mid-scale farmers and ranchers.
• Support with report and funder documentation as needed.

 

Required qualifications:

• Experience in marketing and digital strategies. Knowledgeable of current e-commerce platforms.
• An understanding of the most common technological challenges small businesses and farms experience. 
• Familiarity with web-based tools for farmers.
• A proven track record on the ability to adapt to different technical assistance needs (e.g. not a one size fits all approach to technical assistance). 
• Effective communication skills with a service orientated mindset and passion for supporting small businesses.

 

Optional but helpful qualifications:

• Previous experience or education in agriculture or food production 
• Experience in a non-profit organization 
• An existing network of california based farm & food enterprises

 

Description of supplemental activities available to all applicants:

Multiple contractors will be hired to serve a total of 160 farms for the 2021 year. In addition, 1,350 farmers or business representatives will be reached through indirect engagement, e.g. webinar attendees, event attendees, etc. Disadvantaged farmers including historically disadvantaged populations (immigrant, undocumented, people of color, LBGTQ) and older farmers with little to no background in using web based technologies will be prioritized to the largest extent possible.

 

Additional work opportunities are available through these contractor positions as listed below. If you are interested in either/both please state so in #4 in the “how to apply” section. These positions can also be contracted out separately.

• Providing direct technical support to farmers and ranchers based in Sonoma County with adoption and implementation of web-based technologies.
• Providing tailored e-commerce technical support to 5-15 organic seed producers located in California. Applicants must have an understanding of the challenges seed production companies experience.

 

Compensation: Annual budget of $7,000-$37,000, contingent upon supplemental activities and number of farms supported. Travel stipends available. Invoices billed monthly by contractor and paid by CAFF. 

 

Time period: March 2021-December 2021. Contract extension likely, depending on performance. 

 

Approximate number of hours a month: 25-120, contingent upon activities 

 

Basic work requirements:

Ability to work remote and access to wifi and phone. Familiarity with common computer-based tools such as Microsoft Office Products (Word, Excel, Powerpoint) and/or Google Drive (docs, sheets, slides); email; and websites. Fluency in English. Willingness to travel within California occasionally, up to several times per week. We acknowledge current COVID-19 related travel restrictions but expect that this position will require travel in the future.
 

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis but those received by March 19th will be given preference.

CAFF’s policy is that all persons are entitled to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, gender, marital status, or sexual orientation. We strongly encourage those from diverse backgrounds and from historically underserved communities to apply. Multicultural candidates encouraged to apply.

Compensation this position is : hourly, $20/hr + Location job can be done remotely Application instructions DeadlineMarch 19, 2021