Extension Agent, Ag - Farms and Local Foods; Assistant, Associate or Agent

Extension Agent, Ag
- Small Farms and Local Foods (Assistant, Associate or Full Agent)

Location:

Durham, NC

Appointment: 12 Month Recurring;
Job Type: Full-Time
- Permanent; FTE: 1.0

• Paid time off
• Paid tuition
• Health Insurance
• Flexible Scheduling
• Retirement Savings
• Supplemental Benefits Programs
• Wolf Perks!

Are you looking for a rewarding career that will let you give back to your community? NC State Extension extends research-based knowledge to all North Carolinians, helping them transform science into everyday solutions that improve their lives and grow our state. We are the model of excellence in non-formal, research-based education that advances agriculture, the environment, human health and well-being, youth and communities, while creating prosperity for all North Carolinians.

Working for NC State Extension allows you to teach without being tied to a classroom and school bell.

The agent in this position will have educational responsibilities in all aspects of agriculture, with a focus on small farms and local foods. The successful candidate must be able to conduct educational programs that focus on the profitability and sustainability of North Carolina agriculture, utilizing research-based best practices, including the adoption of proven technologies, business, and financial practices. This position will operate in both urban and traditional agricultural environments and will serve small to medium-sized farms.

The agent will be able to work with farmers focused on crops ranging from niche market gardens to conventional livestock and field crops.

The agent will support the work of the Durham County Farm Campus, working closely with the Extension Agriculture Team and Farm Manager to further develop the campus and provide impactful agricultural programming. Located in northern Durham County, the Farm Campus is a 129-acre property that includes large tracts of farm fields, four ponds, and a forest, and is being developed for a farming education space as well as for outdoor recreation opportunities.

With Durham County's established traditional agriculture and a thriving local foods movement, this position offers an opportunity to support farmers and the local community at every point in the food system.

The agent will be expected to deliver educational programming using a range of approaches and media, including but not limited to classes, field days, site visits, phone calls, email, and other virtual methods of communication.

The agent will represent N.C. Cooperative Extension and build relationships with stakeholders and community groups to strengthen an effective agriculture program and increase the profile of agriculture across the county.

The agent will serve as the Local Foods Coordinator, fostering connections between farms and the local community to improve the local food system for Durham County residents.

This position will be expected to develop and implement programming to help producers understand and follow all appropriate FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act) guidelines, as well as support producers pursuing GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) certification.

This position will operate as part of a collaborative team with the county pesticide coordinator to provide educational training opportunities for private, public, and commercial operators to obtain and maintain their licenses.

This position will support the ongoing development of the Durham County Farm Campus, working closely with the Farm Manager and Extension Agriculture Team to further develop the campus and provide impactful agricultural programming.

This position will work with the agriculture agent for livestock to manage livestock educational services.

8:00 am - 5:00 pm; evenings and weekends as required.

• - A Bachelor's degree with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 overall or a 3.0 (based on a 4.0 scale) in an agricultural or related field. The minimum GPA requirement will be waived for NCCE Program Associates with a Bachelor's degree.
• - A Bachelor's degree and the completion of at least one-half of coursework in a Master's degree curriculum with a cumulative…