Company description

In 2019 the NY Tree Crops Alliance cooperative formed. We believe tree crops benefit the world and humanity in significant and multi-faceted ways. Our mission is to produce high quality nuts and nut products, and to promote the cultivation and consumption of tree crops. We make our products available through retail and wholesale, domestic and international by combining the resources of multiple growers in NYS and the surrounding areas.

We are primarily focused on the production of chestnuts, hazelnuts, and their products. Because of the significant costs of the equipment used to process nuts, one grower can only take things so far. Shared processing equipment and facilities allow us to get nuts into the hands of consumers.

Job description

Project Description
The New York Tree Crops Alliance (NYTCA) is establishing a regional processing facility for hazelnuts and chestnuts, including the production of value-added products like oils & flour. A rental space has been established in Cortland with commercial kitchen capabilities in order to install NYTCA-owned nut processing equipment. This space will become a demonstration facility for nut processing on a regional scale.

Job Description
This position is funded through a grant for three years with an anticipated start date in the fall of 2026. This position will be supervised by the NYTCA Board of Directors. The time commitment for this position can range from 0.25 to 0.75 FTE, depending on the preference of the candidate and seasonal requirements. The pay rate is negotiable from $30-$40/hour, based on experience. Total pay will be based on actual time worked, as agreed upon at initiation of employment. The duties of this role will change slightly from year to year as the project progresses until the grant expires on February 28, 2029. This role will be continually assisted by the expertise of NYTCA members. Most of the work will take place at the processing facility in Cortland, NY, with some clerical tasks able to be done remotely.

Core Responsibilities

• Recruiting new members to the co-op (follow-up to web inquiries, attend relevant events, guide through membership process, prepare materials for prospective members, web outreach)
• Engaging current membership (phone & email, farm visits, mobilize for membership events & volunteer tasks)
  Documenting processing procedures, tracking processing metrics
• Establishing markets & sales distribution for co-op nuts & nut products, for initial sales in Fall 2026.
• Managing the processing facility (scheduling production, ensuring standard operating procedures are adhered to, logging equipment usage, coordinate equipment maintenance & repair as needed)
• Interface with our bookkeeping service (invoices & payments)
• Regular reporting to the Board with status updates

Additional Responsibilities
May include, based on experience & ability:

• Create material for website (SquareSpace) and social media
• Implement & maintain Commercial Kitchen status at the facility
• Identify other grant opportunities & write proposals

Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have:

• Passion for tree crops and/or sustainable agricultural production
• Strong verbal communication skills
• Technical/ hands-on ability and familiarity with tools
• Ability to lift 50 pounds
• Valid driver’s license
• Must own car and be willing to use for travel (mileage paid for travel to other sites)

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $20/hr +

Application instructions

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Deadline

no deadline