Company description

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND
The mission of the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) is to foster the improvement and widespread adoption of organic farming systems. Since our founding in 1990, OFRF has sponsored organic farming research, education, and outreach to support organic and transitioning farmers across North America. This work is complemented by efforts to share our findings with policymakers, agricultural institutions, and federal agencies that can use the results to implement broader change and advance the sector. OFRF envisions a future where organic farming is the leading form of agriculture.

Job description

POSITION OVERVIEW
The OFRF Research and Education (R&E) Program Fellow is a full-time (40 hrs/week), remote, non-exempt, temporary position that is eligible for benefits. This position has an end date of 9/30/2026, with some possibility of securing additional funding for continuation. It offers the ability to work remotely within the continental USA.

The R&E Program Fellow will support various ongoing research and education projects but will spend a significant amount of time planning and executing a comprehensive needs assessment of organic producers. This assessment will be similar to previous needs assessments OFRF has conducted and will include developing and launching the survey, leading listening sessions, organizing and cleaning data, analyzing the data using both qualitative and quantitative methods, and developing and writing reports to present the findings. In addition to the needs assessment, the fellow will also assist with creating research and educational resources for organic and transitioning-to-organic farmers, support the continued development of OFRF’s Organic Research Hub, and provide support on other R&E program activities as needed.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide programmatic support for a variety of research and education projects intended to support farmers transitioning to organic production, including resource creation, coordinating networking sessions, cleaning and analyzing data, conducting grower outreach, and report writing and dissemination.
• Lead the development, design, administration, and analysis of the farmer survey to understand the needs, challenges, and production trends in the organic sector.
• Organize and lead listening sessions and focus groups with organic and transitioning farmers that will be used to supplement the survey findings.
• Develop a comprehensive report that showcases the regional needs of organic farmers and the national landscape of needs and challenges.
• Engage and plan for R&E-related work with external partners.
  Assist with coordinating logistics for R&E virtual and in-person events.
• Assist with the execution of webinars and in-person presentations related to R&E programming, including presenting, facilitating, or moderating.
• Collaborate with the OFRF Communications team to create communication and outreach materials to promote the use of our research and education materials and increase attendance at OFRF events.
• Represent OFRF at conferences and events, and support outreach to partners.
• Occasional domestic travel to represent OFRF at events (less than 10% of time).
• Other related assignments as necessary.

DESIRED SKILLS

• Master’s degree or PhD in sustainable agriculture, sustainable food systems, environmental science, or a related field.
• A minimum of five years of experience working in agriculture research, education and/or outreach, or a related field.
• Demonstrated understanding of survey methodologies and platforms, data collection techniques, and proficiency in statistical analysis, qualitative methods, data visualization, and communicating findings.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to adhere to strict deadlines.
• Stellar communication skills, in both verbal and written communication, as well as visual presentations.
• Strong technical writing skills, including experience writing reports.
• Experience working and communicating collaboratively in a remote setting.
• Ability to work professionally with a diverse group of individuals to accomplish goals.
• Attention to detail and critical thinking skills.
• Proficiency with common software applications, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Experience working and communicating collaboratively in a remote setting using Google Drive and Google Suite.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

COMPENSATION and BENEFITS
Compensation for the R&E Program Fellow position is between $68,000-$72,000 annually, depending on experience. OFRF offers a full range of benefits and a great work environment.

Please visit www.ofrf.org to learn more about the Organic Farming Research Foundation.

OFRF is an equal opportunity employer. Just as in the natural world where diversity creates resilience and strength, we believe a diverse workplace is crucial to the success of our organization and our efforts to support organic farmers. We strive to create a safe and supportive office culture and workplace that encourages racial and social equity. OFRF has a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination of any kind, and we encourage all qualified applicants to apply no matter their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran or disability status.

Compensation

this position is: salaried, $50,000 - $75,000

Location

job can be done remotely

Application instructions

Deadline

August 30, 2025