Company description

Minnesota Food Association (MFA) is a nonprofit organization located in the St. Croix River Valley and the Twin Cities metro area of Minnesota. The mission of the organization is to build a more sustainable food system based on social, economic and environmental justice through education, training and partnerships. MFA operates Big River Farms, a certified organic incubator farm for historically under-served and under-represented farmers and provides and array of educational opportunities for youth and the community around sustainable organic agriculture. The land-based training program is comprehensive and participants in the program supply produce for the Big River Farms Food Hub, which supports a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, aggregated farmers market stands and wholesale distribution service. Through the program, farmers gain the skills, knowledge and access to resources needed to operate their own viable organic and sustainable vegetable farms, while providing fresh produce to local consumers.

Job description

Reason position exists: To train beginning farmers in operating all aspects of a successful farmers’ market stall.

Primary Job Responsibilities:

• Communicate with Programs Manager and farmers the day before each market to verify logistics
• Meet farmers before market (6-6:30am) at cooler in St. Paul to load market supplies and produce/plant starts into delivery vehicle; arrive at market by required time
• Work with farmers to learn best practices for setting up and managing stall, until close (early afternoon)
• Work with farmers to learn how to break down stall, do inventory, and payout
• Coordinate with local restaurants/produce buyers to purchase any leftover produce
• Return with farmer to cooler if needed
• Report regularly to Programs Manager on farmer education and market sales

Details:

• This is a 3 month position, 10 hours/week, mid-May through mid-August.
• Markets are in Minneapolis and will take place each weekend, rotating between Saturdays and Sundays, early morning to midafternoon.
• Must provide own transportation; mileage between cooler and market will be reimbursed at the federal rate.

Compensation:

• This position is paid at an hourly rate of $17-19/hour, DOE.

Qualifications:

• Experience managing a farmers market stall
• Teaching/training experience
• Interest or experience working with culturally and socio-economically diverse farmers
• Excellent communication skills
• An interest in local food systems
• Basic math and computer skills
• Demonstrated organizational skills
• Valid driver’s license and comfort driving delivery vans and/or small trucks
• A benefit, but not necessary; experience with farm work, bilingual, or experience in social justice work around food

Compensation

this position is: hourly, varies DOE, $17.00 - $19.00

Application instructions

Deadline

April 15, 2017