Description:
- The National Young Farmers Coalition (Young Farmers) represents, mobilizes, and engages young farmers to ensure their success. Since our founding in 2010, we have launched 43 farmer-led chapters in 29 states and grown our grassroots based to 150,000. We give young farmers tools to become leaders in their communities, building an effective political voice at the local, state, and national level. Together, we tackle the most critical structural and economic barriers that prevent motivated young people from starting and growing successful farm businesses—including affordable farmland, student debt, climate change, healthcare and more. We have won historic investments in beginning farmer training, outreach to socially disadvantaged farmers, and farmland conservation. Our advocacy for a USDA Farm Service Agency microloan resulted in a loan program in every county that has served more than 30,000 farmers.
Duties:
- Policy Strategy & Implementation (60%)
- Work with Young Farmers leadership and farmer members to develop an ambitious federal policy agenda and strategy.
- Monitor and analyze federal legislation related to Young Farmers and proactively identify and pursue new policy opportunities.
- Develop and manage strategy to advance Young Farmers priorities in rulemaking and program implementation at USDA, as well as Department of Interior, FDA, Small Business Administration.
- Manage Young Farmers events in DC, including farmer fly-ins, Convergence, and Hill briefings.
- Develop relationships with and serve as primary liaison to legislative and executive branch staff and other governmental stakeholders.
- Work with Deputy Director to manage compliance for federal lobbying.
- Advise VP of Policy & Campaigns and regional staff on state policy campaigns and grassroots strategy.
- Policy Development & Communications (20%)
- Work with Communications Director and Executive Team to produce Young Farmers’ policy communications including position statements and reports as well as language for online actions, social media, blogs, etc.
- Conduct research and analysis to develop and support new and existing Young Farmers federal policy priorities.
- Serve as a spokesperson for the organization with press.
- Network & Coalition Building (15%)
- Build, manage, and participate in coalitions comprised of public, private, and non-governmental stakeholders across Young Farmers federal policy platform.
- Engage farmer members in opportunities to influence federal policy including fly-ins, Congressional hearings, press conferences, etc.
- Funder Management (5%)
- Engage and inform current and prospective funders on our federal policy work.
- Assist Development Director in cultivating new funders interested in supporting federal policy work.
- The successful candidate will offer:
- Knowledge of agricultural policy and the federal policy process, demonstrated by at least four years of experience in a policy role;
- Experience crafting and implementing legislative campaigns;
- The capacity to lead our DC team, partners, and stakeholders in common cause;
- A demonstrated commitment to equity in the workplace and in advocacy work and demonstrated ability to recognize and address issues of racial privilege and discrimination;
- Compelling skills as a speaker and writer;
- Ability to work self-directed, but also be a strong team player;
- Be willing and able to work on a flexible schedule with occasional travel;
- Thrive in a fast-paced environment;
- Be based in Washington, DC.
- The ideal candidate may also:
- Have experience working on a farm;
- Have experience in non-profit fundraising;
- Hold a relevant graduate degree in law, economics or policy.
- 70,000-75,000 based on experience;
- Young Farmers offers a competitive benefits package, including health and dental insurance.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: July 22nd. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.