Farm and Food Policy Analyst
Organic Farming Champion
The Cornucopia Institute is seeking an employee to join its team conducting research and investigations into organic and sustainable food and farming production practices. This individual will also be involved with networking and communicating with farmers, consumers, and other organizations. A heartfelt passion for protecting the environment, the good food movement, human health, humane livestock husbandry and social/economic justice for family farmers is essential.
The Cornucopia Institute has become one of the most preeminent and aggressive organic and sustainable food and farming watchdogs. The organization acts as an organic industry watchdog protecting alternative marketing mechanisms for farmers and consumers to connect. We seek to defend the integrity of the organic food label from governmental regulatory indifference as well as from agribusinesses cutting corners so as to profiteer from unethical and questionable food and agricultural practices.
Primary responsibilities for this position include:
Performing investigative projects under the direction of senior Cornucopia staff.
Reviewing published scientific reports and literature
Developing documents and reports on investigative projects.
Interacting with farmers, corporate officials, retailers, other NGOs and the media.
Providing materials for news releases and for posting on Cornucopia’s web page, in Cornucopia’s newsletter, The Cultivator, and with its social media outreach.
Attending relevant conferences and meetings (governmental, agricultural, trade shows, networking with other NGOs, etc.).
The ideal candidate would also possess experience working in a corporate or nonprofit environment with a skill set including:
Strong understanding (with applicable professional/academic background) of agricultural policy, nutrition and organic food and farming issues.
Commitment to the mission of The Cornucopia Institute.
Self-starter and ability to work independently.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Ability to interact effectively with volunteers, members, staff, media and the general public.
Superior work ethic and careful attention to detail.
Highest degree of personal and professional ethics.
Competency with the Microsoft Office suite.
Internet research of scientific/academic literature, social media and superior communication skills.
Compensation:
Commensurate with experience.
Worksite:
The Cornucopia Institute is formally based in Cornucopia, Wisconsin but is "virtually-officed," and thus has no central location. We have 10 core staff members and additional support from a number of additional part-time employees and dedicated contractors.
The Farm and Food Policy Analyst is expected to provide his or her own worksite. Because of this, work with Cornucopia is possible anywhere in the U.S. Candidates residing in, or relocating to, the upper Midwest are encouraged to apply — facilitating periodic face-to-face meetings. But ultimate hiring decisions will be made based on the credentials of the candidates.
Several core-staff and contractors are located in or near Vernon County, Wisconsin (thought to have more organic farmers than any other County in the nation). Candidates open to relocation might find this gorgeous and rugged environment, and its unique agrarian/arts community, a wonderful option.
The Cornucopia Institute is an equal opportunity employer.
How to contact The Cornucopia Institute:
If you have an interest in exploring the opportunity to merge your background and skills with the chance to fight for something you believe in, please forward a letter of inquiry, including salary history/expectations, and resume to jobs@cornucopia.org.
The Cornucopia Institute is engaged in educational activities supporting the ecological principles and economic wisdom underlying sustainable and organic agriculture. Through research and investigations on agricultural and food issues, The Cornucopia Institute provides needed information to family farmers, consumers, stakeholders involved in the good food movement, and the media.