VAFAIRS Specialist

POSITION TITLE VAFAIRS Specialist
STATUS Exempt
COMPENSATION RANGE  Annually
LOCATION Richmond Virginia West Creek Headquarters
REPORTS TO Director Virginia Foundation for Agriculture Innovation and Rural Sustainability

Work closely with Virginia Farm Bureau, Virginia Foundation for Agriculture Innovation and Rural Sustainability, and other public and private stakeholder organizations, institutions to address issues that impact the economic viability of Virginia agriculture.

Virginia Farm Bureau Federation (VFBF) is the largest nonprofit agricultural advocacy organization in Virginia. It was founded in 1926 to support the agricultural interests of Farm Bureau members through a variety of programs and services. It is a non governmental nonpartisan voluntary organization committed to protecting Virginias farms. The Virginia Foundation for Agriculture Innovation and Rural Sustainability (VAFAIRS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing economic opportunities in agriculture and rural communities across Virginia.

We focus on empowering farmers, agribusinesses and rural entrepreneurs by fostering sustainable value added agricultural development and enhancing market access. The Foundation provides technical assistance including business planning, feasibility studies and grant application support to help producers start, expand and strengthen their operations. By connecting clients with expertise, resources and networks, VAFAIRS works to improve profitability, promote innovation and enhance the overall quality of life in rural communities.

VAFAIRS is a Farm Bureau affiliated organization.

This role supports agricultural producers and rural communities by identifying market and structural changes that impact profitability and growth. It provides leadership education and technical assistance to clients pursuing direct and value added marketing opportunities, including developing business plans, grant applications and project strategies. It involves extensive client engagement, data analysis and preparation of professional reports and presentations to advance rural development initiatives.

This multifaceted role supports all programming and serves as the face of our organization.

• Assist with the identification of structural changes in the areas of agricultural production, marketing and finance and the rural economy that could affect producer profitability.
• Provide leadership and expertise to producer groups engaged in direct and value added marketing projects and entrepreneurial and rural development activities.
• Provide educational opportunities to apprise producers of market opportunities that could improve their income and profitability and encourage producer participation.
• Help to motivate diverse clientele pursuing new agricultural enterprises and facilitate development of their proposals whereby producers can aggressively pursue the direct and value added marketing of agricultural commodities, renewable energy and related niche markets.
• Develop presentations to stimulate the participation of private and public technical and financial resources in the development of direct and value added marketing, renewable energy opportunities and rural community development.
• Conduct client interactions either in person, by phone or through email.
• Research, collect, verify and analyze data from both industry and client information to develop grants and other written proposals.
• Work directly with clients and in partnership with other personnel to develop and implement a wide variety of value added project strategies.
• Prepare or modify business plans, feasibility studies, marketing plans, grant applications and other documents.
• Illustrate technical data graphically and translate findings into written text.
• Assist with the facilitation and execution of VAFAIRS strategic plan.

• All other duties and projects assigned by the Director of Virginia Foundation for Agriculture Innovation & Rural Sustainability and/or President required to support the mission of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation.
• Assist internal staff in supporting the State Fair of Virginia Exhibit Committee.
• Assist internal staff in supporting Virginia Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Womens Leadership Programs.

POSITION Entry level:
The position will include some but not necessarily all the above primary and additional duties. Responsibilities will be determined based upon candidates skill set and aptitude.

College degree or equivalent work experience. Experience in agriculture, commodities, marketing and/or rural development.

• Knowledge of agriculture production, commodity or food marketing or financial analysis.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Strong research, analytical and organizational skills.
• Motivated self starter with the ability to work both collaboratively with diverse and…