Farms Advisor

Join to apply for the Small Farms Advisor role at International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS)

Application Window:
Open date:
November 14, 2025. Next review date:
Tuesday, Jan 6, 2026 at 11:59 pm (Pacific Time). Final date:
Friday, Feb 6, 2026 at 11:59 pm (Pacific Time). Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) offers a unique recruitment opportunity for a UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Small Farms Advisor. The Small Farms Advisor will conduct an integrated program of extension and applied research to support economic viability and sustainable production for small‑scale farms in Fresno and Madera Counties. This position will support a clientele of specialty crop producers on small‑scale and diversified farms, including limited‑resource and beginning farmers growing unique crops for direct and niche markets such as farmers markets, specialty wholesale markets, aggregation hubs, and roadside stands.

Crops include a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, herbs, tropical and subtropical crops grown on small acreages—including Asian specialty vegetables and herbs, strawberries, caneberries, emerging crops such as moringa, and small‑acreage fruits such as jujube and guava. These crops are often grown in diversified production systems, include both conventional and organic production, and are sold at culturally specific niche markets and/or contribute to food security for diverse urban and rural communities.

While there is no defined limit for acreage, most farms covered by this position are 80 acres or less, with the majority under 50 acres, and target their produce toward alternative markets.

UCCE Advisors are responsible for applied research and the extension of knowledge. Research activities are applied, needs‑based, mission‑oriented, and focused on addressing our communities' challenges. Extension activities are educational practices Advisors use to share research results directly with their clientele and communities. Extension methods may include individual consultations, presentations, organization of educational workshops and short courses, field demonstrations, farm calls, and site visits.

Information may also be disseminated via radio outreach, webinars, fact sheets, policy briefs, news blogs, and social media. Publications are expected in various formats, such as newsletters, articles for the popular press, curricula, conference proceedings, and peer‑reviewed publications.

Location Headquarters:
The position will be headquartered in Fresno County, 550 E. Shaw Avenue, Suite 210 B, Fresno, CA 93710.

• Address critical issues related to sustainable crop production, economics and marketing, and compliance with regulatory programs and requirements (food safety, labor, pesticide use, nitrogen fertilizer use, and groundwater management).
• Provide field consultations, problem solving, and technical assistance in addition to applied research.
• Develop and implement an applied research program to provide science‑based solutions for small‑scale, diversified, limited‑resource, beginning, and underserved growers.
• Collaborate with statewide efforts providing technical assistance for small farms with access to resources, regulatory compliance, on‑farm production, marketing and business support, and climate‑smart agriculture.
• Provide expertise in nutrient management, irrigation, and integrated pest management via collaborations with other UCCE advisors, specialists, UC faculty, and private industry representatives.
• Disseminate science‑based research results and educational information using a variety of methods (individual consultations, presentations, workshops, short courses, tailgate meetings, field demonstrations, radio outreach, publications, newsletters, peer‑reviewed journals, public comments, policy papers, technical reports, and contemporary electronic tools).
• Supervise the Hmong Agricultural Assistant in Fresno County and provide programmatic guidance to county‑based…