IFU Looks to Hire Farm-to-Institution Project Coordinator
by IFU

Location: Ames, IA
Status: Half-time salaried position with health insurance.
Reports to: Education Director.
 
The Iowa Farmers Union Education Foundation seeks a half-time project coordinator for a two-year grant-funded Farm-to-Institution project (2007 – 2008)
 
The Iowa Farmers Union Education Foundation (IFUEF) was formed in 1999 with a 501(c)3 status to help meet increased needs for education among farmers, rural residents, and consumers. Its mission statement is: “To promote a viable system of sustainable agriculture and high quality of life in rural communities through education of farmers, rural residents, and urban consumers; cooperation among farmers; and community activism.”
 
Position Summary:
Half-time (20 hrs./wk.) position to develop and administer two-year IFUEF Farm-to-Institution project; provide budget monitoring, data management, event coordination, inter-agency and public outreach and communications for the project.
 
This project is intended to increase sales of locally grown foods such as fruits and vegetables, meats, eggs, dairy, wine, nuts, etc., to Iowa institutions such as universities and colleges, schools, hospitals, care facilities and other commercial and institutional food buyers. The coordinator will serve as a facilitator for farmers and institutional buyers to create business relationships and expand the sales of local foods into these markets, for the economic benefit of farmers and their communities, and the health benefit of institutional clients.
 
Required qualifications:

* Bachelor's degree in agriculture, business, marketing and public relations, food science or related field pertaining to sustainable agriculture.
* Experience in budget and data management.  

 
Preferred qualifications
* Familiarity with food systems and project management, public speaking experience, familiarity with the Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe InDesign or Microsoft Publisher software.
* Self motivation, the ability to organize workload and work independently in a multi-project environment, and conduct oneself in a professional manner.
* Experience with or passion about working with farmers to increase their sales of locally raised foods to Iowa institutions.

 Salary
$22,000 first year, $23,100 second year, plus major medical.
 
Please submit resume and cover letter by January 15, 2007, to: Leigh Adcock, IFUEF, PO Box 8988, Ames, IA  50014, email iafu@isunet.net. For more information, call 800-775-5227.
 
Iowa Farmers Union
PO Box 8988
528 Billy Sunday Rd
Ames, IA  50014
800-775-5227
iafu@isunet.net
www.iafu.org