Academic Job Description

Cornell Small Farms Program

Spanish-first Agricultural Development Specialist

Extension Associate

SIPS – Horticulture Section

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and home to Cornell University’s second largest population of students, faculty and staff. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: natural and human systems; food, energy and environmental resources; and social, physical and economic well-being. 

The Cornell Small Farms Program is part of CALS at Cornell University, the Land Grant University of New York State.  The Program helps farmers get expert assistance to facilitate all phases of small farm business development, from initial growth to optimization to maturity.  Our newest program centers on supporting Spanish-first farmers and employees to get access to relevant training and resources to grow their agricultural, entrepreneurial and farm business skills.

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.

Position Function

This Agricultural Development Specialist will provide leadership for the Cornell Small Farms Futuro en Ag project, which aims to address the gap in Spanish-first and Latina/o/x new farmer development in NYS.  This individual will oversee education and research projects focused on the addressing needs of the Spanish-first and bilingual farm community in NYS. This includes the design and implementation of equitable and accessible education and outreach to foster greater agricultural skills, entrepreneurship and farm business management among Spanish-first farmers and employees. Applied research efforts will investigate needs and culturally appropriate strategies to best support Latina/o/x farming communities in NYS and the U.S. This individual will provide leadership and support to a growing team of bilingual staff to support the project goals.

Core activities of this position include:

• Leading Spanish-first educational and training programs to increase farm business and management skills.

·    Building communication strategies that address barriers to education, new farm development, and support for Latina/o/x agricultural communities.

·    Implementing applied research to understand and address specific agricultural development needs of these communities.

·    Developing grant proposals to support research aimed at increasing small farm viability in NYS.

Anticipated Division of Time

Program Development: 25%

·    Identify educational needs and appropriate strategies to improve the success of Latina/o/x farmers and employees. 

• Provide leadership for the design of online and in-person educational programs aimed at new and beginning Latino farmers.
• Create Spanish-first and bilingual educational resources for new and beginning farmers.
• Cooperate with other Small Farms Program Staff to support other educational efforts relevant to Latino and other historically marginalized agricultural communities.

·   Create new and deepen existing collaborations with Cornell faculty, staff, and students, as well as with community-based and governmental organizations to support agricultural education opportunities and new farm development among Latina/o/x communities.

• Establish, manage, and coordinate plans of work and budgets for educational programs. Set annual calendar of events and ensure adequate staffing for delivery of high-quality educational programs.

·   Coordinate activities, events, and conferences as part of Spanish-first agricultural education and outreach strategy.

• Actively purse externally funded grants to support program goals.
• Develop and manage project budgets in coordination with program staff and external funding agencies.

Program Implementation: 25%

• Teach Spanish-first farm business and financial management courses to advance the skills and success of Latina/o/x farmers.  Courses will be taught using in-person, online and hybrid formats.
• Train and mentor Small Farms Program bilingual staff on curriculum delivery and appropriate strategies that support educational goals.
• Cultivate leadership and networks among current Spanish-first farm business operators and owners.
• Attend and represent the Cornell Small Farms Program at meetings and conferences in support of Spanish-first agricultural education and Latina/o/x new farmer development.
• Ensure equitable access to Spanish-first agricultural education opportunities and resources through a bilingual communication strategy.
• Conduct strategic visits with key stakeholders, supportive entities, and Latina/o/x community leaders to develop and establish trusting relationship and effective outreach.

Applied Research: 20%

·    Conduct applied research into problems and opportunities that affect the success of Latino farmers in the Northeast, in cooperation with Small Farms program staff, Cornell faculty, and extension or nonprofit field staff, and/or independently.

·    Lead and cooperate on grant and funding proposals with agencies, organizations, faculty and extension personnel that will address applied research needs and generate program support.

·    Collect, analyze and interpret data as needed.

·    Prepare reports for granting agencies, extension publications, trade press, social media, peer-reviewed journals, and other.

Supervision: 15%

·    Supervise Small Farms Program bilingual technical support staff delivering Spanish-first curricula, including development of work plans, time management and annual evaluations.

·    Provide direct supervision for Small Farms Program interns assigned to the Futuro en Ag program.

Program Evaluation (10%)

• Evaluate, document and report on the efficacy and impact of Spanish-first educational programs and Latina/o/x farmer development.
• Document how education programs meet language justice and equitable access goals for agricultural education of new and emerging farmer communities in addition to Spanish-first communities.
• Work with collaborators to evaluate effectiveness of their educational efforts.
• Regularly communicate project activities and impacts with the Cornell Small Farms Program Director, collaborators, advisory committees and other interested parties.
• Share results in quarterly and annual reports to local, state and federal partners.

Professional Development: 5%

• Present results at appropriate state, regional and national meetings.
• Participate in professional development opportunities, conferences and workshops appropriate to program and personal skill enhancement.
• Develop professional improvement plan and constructively evaluate self-performance.

Requirements

Required Qualifications: Master’s degree in agricultural sciences, agricultural education, or MBA required. Requirement of 5-10 years professional work experience supporting small farm startup and development, agricultural education, rural development, agri-business management, horticulture, climate adaptation, or equivalent field. Must have experience in educational program development, curriculum design, grant writing and management, and have worked previously with historically marginalized communities.  Must have supervisory experience. Must be fully bilingual and fluent in both Spanish and English languages. Must possess cultural competency and humility while working with Latina/o/x, or other historically marginalized communities. Must be competent using technologies to communicate with and support diverse audiences. Must be able to work with university faculty, staff, and other members of the agricultural community to plan and conduct all activities as described. Must be able to travel for work duties and posses or acquire a New York Driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications: PhD in agricultural sciences, plant and soil sciences, or other closely related field. Research experience focused on small-scale farmers, farm business, financial, and marketing strategies. Experience developing new farm businesses. Previous work experience in Latin American, or Caribbean countries.

Supervision Exercised

Ability to supervise and foster the professional development of program staff, including project leads and coordinators, student interns, agricultural service providers, independent consultants, and other collaborators. Ability to develop staff work plans and manage execution/completion of stated work.

To apply:

This is a full-time (40 hours/week) position based at the Cornell Ithaca campus. This is non-tenure track position with an initial three (3) year appointment. Reappointment is contingent upon available resources and successful performance.

Cornell takes pride in offering generous benefits to support health, wealth and wellness, including generous time off, competitive health insurance, retirement plans and a tuition assistance program. For more information, see:

https://hr.cornell.edu/jobs/benefits-snapshot

Please apply via Academic Jobs Online 

Qualified candidates should submit a short cover letter, curriculum vitae, contact information for three references, and a statement of contribution to diversity, equity and inclusion via the website. 

Applications will be reviewed as received, continuing until a suitable applicant is identified.

CALS hiring range for this title is $56,790-$75,000. 

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

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