Company description

Renewing the Countryside strengthens rural areas by championing and supporting rural communities, farmers, artists, entrepreneurs, educators, activists and other people who are renewing the countryside through sustainable and innovative initiatives, businesses, and projects. We do this by sharing stories of rural renewal, building awareness and support for sustainable endeavors, connecting people interested in sustainable rural development to each other, providing practical assistance and networking opportunities for those working to improve rural America, and fostering connections between urban and rural people.

Job description

Renewing the Countryside in partnership with the Midwest Elderberry Cooperative

Position title: Business Development and Marketing Specialist

Project: Functional Berries | Salary range: $52-$60K | Full Time, Exempt | Start date March, 2026

About RTC: Renewing the Countryside (RTC) is a Minnesota-based nonprofit with a mission to cultivate and support vibrant, sustainable and equitable communities. Since 2002, we have served as connectors and facilitators, bringing together community members to advance ideas that contribute to economic, social, and environmental wealth. We are hiring to support our regional effort to grow the Upper Midwest’s emerging “functional berry” industry, including elderberry, aronia, and currant. These high-value perennial crops offer strong market potential alongside major environmental benefits. The project focuses on building the supply chains, processing infrastructure, financing, and buyer relationships needed to make production economically viable, connecting growers with processors, investors, and wholesale markets through coordinated regional hubs.

We are seeking an entrepreneurial person with strong communications skills and attention to detail to provide a wide range of inside sales, marketing, and administrative services for a joint project with our partners, the Midwest Elderberry Cooperative (MEC). This position will be employed by RTC and will work with MEC and RTC to grow client list, build strong customer relationships, support marketing operations and provide general support for this project.

About the Midwest Elderberry Cooperative: The Midwest Elderberry Cooperative (MEC) was formed in 2012 to be the organizational vehicle to assist small organic/natural farmers in elderberry production and processing in the Midwest. Our growing membership presently includes farmers from coast-to-coast as we develop a horizontal organization based on regional hubs that are coordinated by an integrated marketing effort to meet national demand regionally whenever possible. MEC is governed by a board of directors elected by its members. Its primary funding comes from sales of elder berry and flower ingredients along with some grants.

Major Responsibilities and Tasks

Sales & Order Management

• Process customer orders received by phone and email
• Communicate order details, timelines, and updates to customers and partners
• Work with collaborating farms and processing sites to arrange processing
• Coordinate shipping for small and large orders
• Troubleshoot order issues and escalate concerns as needed
• Enter purchase orders, generate invoices, and record payments in QuickBooks.
• Automate processes with Shopify where possible

Customer Service & Partner Coordination

• Serve as a primary point of contact for all customers
• Manage email and contact lists in Shopify
• Maintain positive relationships with cooperative members and buyers

Marketing & Communications

• Support launch and ongoing management of Business-to-Business Shopify website
• Develop and distribute e-newsletters to customers, members, and stakeholders via Shopify
• Manage consistent social media posting to promote products and cooperative activities
• Schedule and coordinate project meetings and events

Qualifications

• Experience in inside sales, customer service, or food/agriculture sales preferred
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Clear and professional written and verbal communication skills
• Comfort learning and using e-commerce and accounting platforms (Shopify, QuickBooks)
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently

Employer Information, Salary and Benefits
This position will be a salaried employee of Renewing the Countryside. This work is based in Minnesota and the coordinator needs to be able to easily travel within this geographic area. This project is currently funded for 9 months but the goal is to grow capacity to make this a permanent position. If successful, a staff position with MEC may be offered.

The position is Full Time time. The base, full-time salary is between $52,000 and $60,000 - based on experience. This position has a flexible schedule but will include daytime meetings as well as the ability to attend some evening and weekend events, especially during the summer season.

Renewing the Countryside is a family-friendly employer. We provide equal opportunity for employment and condemn discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, or any other factor. We are committed to equity and strongly encourage people who are BIPOC, women, LGBTQIA+, and/or from other underrepresented or marginalized communities to apply.

The position includes medical and dental benefits, short-term disability, generous paid time off, and employer contribution to a retirement plan.

This is a remote position that will require some travel for meetings and events. RTC will provide a computer, offer a monthly phone stipend, and reimburse for mileage and other approved travel expenses.

Compensation

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

Location

job can be done remotely

Application instructions

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Deadline

no deadline