Field Specialist in Agricultural Business – Benton County, MO

University of Missouri (MU) Office of Extension and Engagement

Agricultural and Business Policy Program

Assistant/Associate/Full Extension Professional

Warsaw, Missouri, and primarily serves Benton,Cass, Cooper, Johnson, Henry,Moniteau and Morgan Counties in the West Central Region, with additional service across the state as needed.

This position is responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating educational programs that support agricultural and agribusiness development and expansion in ways that improve

Missourian’s quality of life and enhance the economic viability of Missouri enterprises while protecting the environment and thestate’s natural resources. These efforts may involve:

• Assisting agricultural operators and agribusinesses with decision-making, financial management, taxes, and risk mitigationas they start, expand, or diversify their businesses,
• Assessing new business opportunities and emerging economicissues faced by producers, landowners, and businesses,
• Offering technical assistance contracts, often in collaboration with state specialists, that support efforts such as business plans, marketing plans, feasibility studies, surveys, etc.,and
• Connecting appropriate regional and state partners with anagricultural business owner when an economic development opportunity arises.

Effective specialists will apply interdisciplinary knowledge and collaborate with respective regional producer groups, state andlocal agricultural support entities, and other relevantorganizations to leverage efforts and funding opportunities.

This position is a 12-month, ranked, non-tenure track appointment at the rank of assistant, associate, or full Extension Professional. Rank will be determined at the time of the appointment based on qualifications and experience in accordance with the MU Extension faculty standards. This position will hold aworking title of Field Specialist in Agricultural Business.

As a Field Specialist, your workload distribution at appointment will be 90% Extension Teaching and 10% Traditional Service.

This appointment is renewable annually at the discretion of the University and workload distribution may change at the discretion of Extension leadership. Circumstances affecting continued employment include, but are not limited to, work performance, fund availability, and educational priorities.

MU Extension Specialists deliver the University of Missouri to all Missourians. They serve all Missourians by bringing research-based solutions to work on local problems. MU Extension Specialists teachnew and foundational concepts, link people to resources, supportpartner organizations, participate in research, train volunteers,evaluate programs, foster innovation, and serve communities. MUExtension Specialists work as a team to expand educationalattainment, foster economic development, and improve health outcomes.

MU Extension Specialists work as a team to expand educationalattainment, foster economic development, and improve health outcomes. These core duties fall into three major areas:

• Educate . MU Extension specialists design, conduct, and evaluate educational programs. MU Extension specialists teachresearch-based information via meetings, in-person, and onlinecourses, continuing education classes, technical assistance,volunteer training, media, websites, consultation, and other educational methods. They provide educational programs that support the individual, organizational, and community goals of Missouri’slearners and clients.
• Create . MU Extension specialists develop innovative and research-informed educational products, services, materials, andother scholarly works.…