Agriculture Development Specialist III - Vermont

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets seeks an Agriculture Development Specialist III who will be responsible for leading farm to institution efforts, including the Farm to School grant program and Local Food Market Development grant program. This position will collaborate closely with other state agencies and departments, external partners, and state and national organizations to develop strategies for program growth, support agriculture producers at varying scales, and provide outreach and education regarding farm to institution opportunities.

This position will lead established program work while also developing new initiatives to respond to the ever changing agricultural landscape and institutional market potential. Focus areas will include engagement with policy, marketing, promotion, and education opportunities critical to commodity and specialty crop production across the state. This position will also be responsible for convening a group of state agency partners to track and increase local food purchasing in state government and will be involved with agriculture career development projects with partner organizations. The incumbent will manage multiple grant programs, engage with partners to guide program and project development, convene groups of stakeholders in moving together towards a shared goal, and understand applicable policies and regulations.

This position will have ongoing engagement with agriculture and food-based businesses, industry stakeholders, nonprofit and public sector partners, policy makers, and consumers. As a member of the Agriculture Development Division, this position should enjoy team collaboration, diverse work assignments, and being a part of a dynamic group of committed public servants. The incumbent will also be engaged with multi-disciplinary teams working to grow Vermont's economy.

Who May Apply

This position, Agriculture Development Specialist III (Job Requisition #1553), is open to all State employees and external applicants.

If you would like more information about this position, please contact Laura.Ginsburg@vermont.gov

Please note that multiple positions in the same work location may be filled from this job posting.

Resumes will not be accepted via e-mail. You must apply online to be considered.

Submitted by Abbey Willard

Agricultural Development Division Director | Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets

116 State St., Montpelier Vermont 05602-2901 | http://agriculture.vermont.gov

Tel:802-272-2885 

Farm and Rural Community Attorney - MN Office of Attorney General

The Office of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is seeking an experienced lawyer to focus primarily on issues affecting Minnesota’s farmers and farm communities, especially those experiencing risks to their livelihood and success.  The attorney will primarily be responsible for creating and carrying out strategic litigation and consumer protection priorities for the Office.  The position will involve collaboration with diverse farm and agricultural stakeholders, multiple levels of government and policy-makers, and rural communities among others.

This position is a rare opportunity to strengthen this priority within the Attorney General’s office, and requires a dynamic individual with excellent legal and interpersonal skills as well as the ability to work creatively and collaboratively.

A full job description may be found here.

Policy Director - Fair Food Network

Fair Food Network is looking for an experienced government relations professional to join our team. The Policy Director will lead Fair Food Network’s outreach, advocacy and policy-related relationship building work, with an emphasis on Washington, DC relationships and legislation. This person will also oversee a Michigan-based Policy Manager who will support relationship building in the state and manage Lansing-based advocacy and outreach. The Policy Director, working with the Policy Manager, will also contribute policy expertise to Fair Food Network’s new Technical Assistance Hub, which provides support and tools to healthy food incentive programs across the country.

The Policy Director will report to our Chief Operating Officer, supervise the Policy Manager, and work closely with our External Affairs team. The position will be based in Washington, DC. Exceptional Michigan-based applicants able to work from our southeast MI offices will be considered.

A full job description may be found here.

Advocacy Coordinator (South Africa) - Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

The Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), a program of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK), provides strategic advocacy assistance on global public health issues to drive policy change campaigns around the globe to improve health. As part of the Obesity Prevention Program (OPP), GHAI works with partners to improve the nutrition policy environment, in countries including Barbados, Brazil, Colombia, Jamaica, Mexico and South Africa. The OPP focuses on the passage and implementation of four key policies:

• Banning advertising of junk food and sugary beverages to children;
• Implementing taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages;
• Regulating the supply of unhealthy foods and beverages in public sector institutions, particularly schools; and
• Improving front of package labelling on packaged or processed foods and beverages.

A full job description may be found here.

Development and Communications Director - Cornucopia Institute

The Cornucopia Institute is seeking candidates for its Development and Communications Director position. Applicants for this position should possess fundraising and member stewardship expertise and an ability to oversee the organization’s communications efforts. 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.

Qualifications and required skills and abilities:

• You hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college and have at least 7 years of development and/or communications experience in the non-profit sector
• You have excellent verbal and written communication skills
• You are a self-starter who is able to work autonomously and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• You have an understanding of the full range of development office activities
• You are excellent at building relationships and have excellent interpersonal communications skills
• You are proficient in social media and CRM software (particularly eTapestry, Salesforce, and Raiser’s Edge), and have some knowledge of Adobe InDesign and Photoshop
• You are conversant on current issues affecting the good food movement

A full job description may be found here.

Assistant Director, Educational Programs - Food and Drug Law Institute

FDLI seeks an Assistant Director, Educational Programs to serve as a key member of FDLI’s Educational Programs team. This position is responsible for researching and analyzing relevant issues in food and drug law to effectively develop and implement timely and topical FDLI conferences, educational programs, and webinars. The role may cover issues related to all industries regulated by the FDA and government agencies, but will focus specifically in the areas of food, dietary supplements, and tobacco and nicotine products. The position reports to the Director, Educational Programs.

PROFESSIONAL LEVEL:

• Entry-level for those with a JD or graduate degree.
• Entry-to-mid-level for those with commensurate experience.

A full job description may be found here.

Director of Farm Certification - California Certified Organic Farmers

CCOF Certification Services, LLC (CCOF) is seeking a Director of Farm Certification. The Director oversees CCOF’s farm-level certification programs within CCOF’s USDA National Organic Program, internationally accredited organic certification programs in the US, Canada and Mexico and CCOF’s Food Safety Services. This position may also implement new add on programs.

The CCOF Director of Farm Certification is responsible for CCOF organic certification programs for Grower, Livestock, Wild Crops scopes and Spanish Services within the USDA, COR, and International certification programs,as well as oversight and management of CCOF’s Global G.A.P. Food Safety program. This position is responsible for consistent application of regulations and procedures by certification staff and supports certification staff in their work.

This is a senior management level position for a self-directed career minded individual. Applicants must have extensive knowledge of organic certification, standards, personnel management, program oversight and the ability to work in a fast-paced office environment with demanding job responsibilities.

A full job description may be found here.

Commercial Lending Food Finance Sector Leader

Self-Help is seeking a Commercial Lending Sector Leader to lead our lending efforts in the Food Systems industry. This individual will lead the next level of our development and the implementation of strategies to further strengthen Self-Help as a national lender to the equitable and sustainable food systems borrowers.

The individual will focus on helping the team build and strengthen external partnerships, build on-going expertise in food systems financing, and deploy high-priority capital that supports entrepreneurs and not-for-profits investing in the industry. The Sector Leader will lead the outreach and development that bring Self-Help’s lending to the sustainable food movement. The individual will work with teammates to develop products that support the underwriting, approval, and funding of borrowers and borrower initiatives that meet Self-Help’s goals, mission and underwriting criteria.
A full job description may be found here.

Associate Attorney, Sustainable Food & Farming - Earthjustice

Earthjustice’s Sustainable Food and Farming Program is seeking an Associate Attorney to conduct legal advocacy and litigation. The position is available immediately and is located in New York, NY.  The Sustainable Food and Farming Program, within the Healthy Communities Department, engages in litigation and other legislative and administrative advocacy on behalf of a wide range of diverse clients to advance safer and healthier food and more sustainable and climate-friendly farming in order to protect consumers, farm workers and communities, and our waters, air and climate. A major priority is to limit and obtain adequate safeguards on the use of dangerous pesticides, excess fertilizers, animal waste, and farm and food processing chemicals. We take on cases with regional and national scope. We also work on cross-cutting Access to Justice issues to respond to the current efforts to limit the use of science and public participation.
 Qualifications:

• Law school graduate with up to four years of legal experience.
• Admitted to, or willing to apply for admission to, the New York Bar.
• Excellent legal research, writing, analytical, and communication skills.
• Experience in federal or state legislatures or judicial clerkship a plus.
• Strong work ethic, initiative to take on work and solve problems, sound yet creative judgment.
• Contributes to the creation of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.
• Ability to work well both independently and on a team.
• An unrelenting commitment to high professional standards.
• Aware of and sensitive to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds and orientations.
• Commitment to serving the public interest.

A full job description may be found here.

Community Relations Specialist - Trader Joe's

The qualified Community Relations Specialist has at least five years of experience in donation management, community relations and managing large-scale projects and is a raving fan of the Trader Joe's concept. A Bachelor's Degree is strongly preferred. This role is based in our office in Monrovia, CA.


The Community Relations Specialist is responsible for:

• Planning and implementing programs, events and activities that advance Trader Joe's community giving initiatives, focusing on sharing unsellable foods with appropriate community groups.
• Serving as a resource for Crew Members, providing support and guidance on the execution of successful and sustainable donation programs.
• Working with with our food donation partners on a national and local level to foster positive and productive relationships.
• Managing and tracks all approved donations from the Company.
• Working collaboratively with other departments.

A full job description may be found here.

Farmland Information/Policy Specialist - American Farmland Trust

The Farmland Information and Policy Specialist will be responsible for conducting state and local policy research and expanding and maintaining an online collection of relevant laws, regulations and policies for AFT’s Farmland Information Center website (www.farmlandinfo.org). The Policy Specialist also will contribute to AFT’s state policy scorecard—a component of AFT’s Farms Under Threat initiative that ranks states’ efforts to protect agricultural land and support agricultural viability. The successful candidate will oversee surveys of state and local farmland protection activity and help respond to requests for information received through the FIC’s answer service. While the Policy Specialist may contribute to policy development the position does not involve direct advocacy. The Farmland Information and Policy Specialist will report to the Director of AFT’s Farmland Information Center and work in AFT’s office in Northampton, Massachusetts.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Managing the collections of laws, regulations, polices and sample documents on the FIC website. This will involve developing protocols for adding content, a schedule for checking and refreshing content, and plan for expanding collections with input from national and field directors to reflect all three parts of AFT’s mission;
• Reviewing and analyzing federal, state and local laws, regulations, policies and plans;
• Identifying factors across policies and programs that can highlight best practices and/or measure the effectiveness of the approach to support AFT’s state policy scorecard;
• Synthesizing complex information into clear summaries, policy briefs, professional reports and blogs;
• Assisting AFT’s national initiative and field directors in the development of policy recommendations;
• Responding to technical requests from external audiences and AFT staff;
• Tracking relevant state legislative activity;
• Developing a range of educational resources including fact sheets and technical memos;
• Managing consultants and/or interns hired to support the responsibilities listed above including maintenance of the FIC’s collection of laws, regulations, policies and sample documents;
• Assisting with fundraising; and
• Contributing to special projects on an as-needed basis.
• Other duties as assigned.

A full job description may be found here.

Agriculture Issue Leader - Cornell Extension

The Agriculture Issue Leader is responsible for providing in-depth program leadership for the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of the agriculture and horticulture program area of the association. In addition, this person shall develop and deliver programs in a specific subject of broad importance to the Agricultural program area including Agriculture Economic Development, Food Systems, Ag & the Environment (e.g. climate smart agriculture, carbon farming, water issues, etc. ) and Farmland Protection; and shall provide a broad range of high level administrative direction and management functions for programs and the staff within them. This person is responsible for securing program funds and effective management of resources available to the program unit. S/he is responsible for assuring that accountability and affirmative action requirements are met within the program unit and across the association. This person will engage with, develop and facilitate local community groups, networks, partnerships, and collaborations. S/he will engage public and private organizations to address high priority issues and maximize effective use of community resources to bolster community and economic development across the region. This person connects with other associations, Cornell faculty, and regional teams to develop collaborative projects and to conduct research related to Extension mission, priority programs and community issues. This person represents the association with the public, community leaders, government officials, and Cornell University in achieving the vision and mission of the association.
A full job description may be found here.

LL.M. In Agricultural & Food Law

University of Arkansas School of Law 

Graduate Fellowship Opportunities for 2019-20

We will have several fellowship opportunities in the LL.M. Program in Agricultural & Food Law at the University of Arkansas next Fall. Each provides a full tuition waiver plus a small stipend, set up through the University of Arkansas Graduate School Assistantship Program. Each provides a unique work opportunity structured to complement our curriculum and enhance the student's expertise and credentials. 

One position is focused specifically on academic scholarship. The position will involve advising our Journal of Food Law & Policy.  We are looking for someone with law review or journal experience - either a practicing attorney, professor or a recent graduate who served on the board of a journal. We will tailor this position to the expertise of the applicant selected. 

Another position will involve working with our Indigenous Food & Agriculture Initiative on issues in Indian Country. We are exceptionally proud of the groundbreaking work that the Initiative is doing -  assisting tribes with the development of food codes, educating tribal leaders and providing nationwide trainings on issues of importance to the agricultural sector.

Several additional positions will be announced as they are confirmed -  we anticipate one focused on public service, one to help with the Food Law Student Leadership Summit, and one Research Assistant to work directly with me.

These positions are only available to students who study with us in Fayetteville. In the past we have had a few amazing law professors join us on sabbatical or leave, and we would be delighted to repeat that experience. So please either think of joining us yourself or pass the word on to your students and alumni.  Feel free to email me directly with questions or check out the Program on our website and our blog. 

Note that while our Distance Students are not eligible for the Graduate Assistantships, they are eligible for Arkansas's low in-state tuition rate. Distance students participate in class live via video conferencing, with our distance and on-campus programs completely integrated.  Distance students can enroll either part or full time. 

Pace LL.M. Environmental Law / Food & Ag Fellow

Pace University’s Elisabeth Haub School of Law is hiring a Food and Agriculture Law Graduate Fellow. The Fellow will work part time with the Pace-NRDC Food Law Initiative and the Food and Beverage Law Clinic while working towards an LLM in Environmental Law.

For more information about the fellowship, visit - https://careers.pace.edu/postings/10800

For more information about Pace's Environmental Law Programs, visit www.law.pace.edu/environment

Questions?

Email Jessica Steinberg Albin, Associate Director of Environmental Law Programs at jalbin@law.pace.edu