Farm Training Manager in Columbus, OH

SUMMARY

Mid-Ohio Food Collective (MOFC), through Mid-Ohio Farm on the Hilltop, is building the farm of the future to transform the urban agriculture community in Ohio by creating a unique farming platform which includes innovative techniques and methods to provide high yield and efficiency as well as business and economic development within agriculture.

The initial phase of this project will be constructed throughout 2022 with future phases in the coming years.

The Mid-Ohio Farm will serve as a learning lab around the future of tech-enabled farming for students of all ages, urban and rural farmers, entrepreneurs, and researchers.

To maximize yield, workforce training, and economic development opportunities, the farm will include cutting-edge technology including sensors, robotics, and data visualization. This farm will serve as a hub across the Food Collective’s 20-county service area and scale agricultural efficiency best practices across the state.

This effort builds on existing smart farm technology while simultaneously housing prototypes and new innovations. Partnerships with schools and community organizations across the region will educate the next generation and re-skill community members on how to farm using the latest technology so they are prepared for a career in a wide range of agricultural and tech related fields.

The Farm Training Manager will focus on developing and implementing the Local Agriculture Training Program. In addition to providing technical training to program participants, this position will also provide education on vital topics such as logistics, customer service, farm management, economic development as well as oversee direct reports. The Farm Training Manager will be a critical resource to the Mid-Ohio Farm team as we continue to evolve and expand our education and training opportunities to meet the needs of local farmers in our community. Educational opportunities will also be available to community members of all ages and will make Mid-Ohio Farm on the Hilltop the “EduFarm” of the future. The Mid-Ohio Farm Training Manager is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the entire Farm Education and Training program reflects MOFC’s core values of Customer-Centric, Trustworthy, Innovative Learner, and One Team.

PRIMARY DUTIES:

• Customize curriculum for Local Agriculture Training Program to include agricultural economic development and sustainability
• Provides training on economic development in agriculture, crop planning and business planning
• Directly supervises Farm Training/Education participants and staff to carry out the functions of training and educating the community on vital topics such as logistics, customer service, and farm management.
• Develop mentorship program for participants, providing mentorship on specific skills and knowledge in the application of farming and agricultural techniques
• Develop a recruitment pipeline and evaluation criteria for mentee candidates to including interviewing and evaluating potential mentees
• Maintain data and records to evaluate program effectiveness on a quarterly basis and position the program to adapt to mentee/community needs
• Facilitate check-in meetings and ensure mentee progression toward program goals
• Manage relationships with offsite mentees, Verti-Gro satellite sites, etc.
• Build strategic relationships with community partners to expand reach of program
• Work collaboratively with Farm Education Coordinator on field trips and other onsite educational programming
• Engage candidates and instructors of all levels
• Assist with training responsibilities for Mid-Ohio Farm team and development of Mid-Ohio Farm training procedures
• Solicit feedback and implement best practices using continuous improvement processes
• Manage day-to-day operations of the MOFC Farm education training program
• Work with direct reports to develop work plans with clear goals that align with MOFC strategic initiatives and conducts annual performance reviews based on those plans
• Maintain safe, secure, and healthy work environment by following safety practices and policies
• Manage and steward all MOFC assets utilized in the operation of the Farm
• Other duties as assigned

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

Education and Certifications: High School Diploma/GED required, and bachelor’s degree in education or Agriculture or equivalent years of experience detailed below. Candidate must have a valid Driver’s License.

Experience: 4 or more years of education/training and farming/agriculture experience. Experience in coordinating events, working with students and program/project management is required. Knowledge of business plans and farm-economic development is required. Proven experience educating learners of all ages. Educational experience creating lesson plans and curriculum is highly preferred. Proficiency in Microsoft Office software including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

Skills/Competencies: Committed to the organizational mission of ending hunger. Knowledge and expertise in educational programming for various ages and competency levels. Adult learning theory and proven background of experiential learning for adults is essential. Comfortable educating one-on-one as well as to a large audience. Possess a strong desire to teach, educate and mentor local urban farmers and growers within MOFC footprint.

JOB CONDITIONS:

Working Conditions: This position will be a blend of an urban farm setting and an in-office environment. Events will require a person to work outside in all weather conditions performing manual labor. Frequent standing, walking, bending, crouching, and lifting will be required. Reliable transportation is required. Applicants must have received or be willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine by date of hire to be considered for employment.

ADA: The above statements cover what are generally believed to the principal and essential function of this job. Specific circumstances may allow or require some associates assigned to the job to perform a somewhat different combination of duties.

This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of accountabilities, duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Any individual may be required to perform any other job-related activities or functions requested by his/her manager, subject to reasonable accommodation. Mid-Ohio Food Collective reserves the right to modify this job description to reflect changes in essential job duties made necessary by changing organizational needs, subject to reasonable accommodation.

Mid-Ohio Food Collective is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status or disability (in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act) with respect to employment opportunities.