Job: Farm to School Program Director, California

Title: Farm to School Program Director Location: California Central Coast, Bay Area or Davis Office.  Travel other regions required. Hours: 80% FTE Salary range: $45,000 Start Date: Late August- Early September 2010 Organization: The Community Alliance with Family Farmers is a non-profit organization dedicated to building a movement of rural and urban people to foster family-scale agriculture that cares for the land, sustains local economies, and promotes social justice. CAFF is a membership organization guided by a board of directors that includes family farmers and others who are passionate about food, farming and the environment. In its program areas, CAFF is working to promote and enhance biological farming and California’s local food systems. Description of the position: Farm to School is a comprehensive approach to nutrition education, teaching children about where their food is grown, how to prepare farm-fresh foods, and the benefits of healthy eating. The ultimate goal is for school-aged children to be nourished by fresh fruits and vegetables from local farms.

Tweet

Essential responsibilities:

• Direct existing CAFF Farm to School program work in several regions of California—Central Coast, South Bay, Oakland, Sacramento Valley and Humboldt;
• Develop new program opportunities as appropriate within these regions;
• Represent CAFF at relevant community events and meetings;
• Develop and maintain program and farm partnerships;
• Participate in state and federal policy work related to Farm to School;
• Meet as needed with educational program staff around state to provide guidance on program development and ensure that staff across regions are communicating to share models, ideas and work;
• Identify and develop new funding opportunities for Farm to School;
• Lead grant-writing efforts to support Farm to School
• Collaborate closely with CAFF Program Directors on grant writing and cross-program development;
• With assistance of CAFF’s Executive Director and Controller, review and approve all budgets for Farm-to-School work statewide.

Qualifications:

• At least five years of program management and staff supervision experience;
• Thorough understanding of school food programs and institutional procurement practices;
• Experience teaching or coordinating educational programs;
• Knowledge of sustainable agriculture practices and farming;
• Proven track-record of successful fundraising experience including grant writing and reporting;
• Excellent communication skills including writing, speaking and collaborating with partners to complete projects;
• Knowledge of current national and state level Farm to School work is highly preferred;
• Willingness and ability to travel throughout California periodically.

Benefits: CAFF has a benefits package that includes paid vacation, sick leave, and health insurance.

CAFF is committed to equal employment opportunity.

Please send a resume, cover letter and references to: Ildi Carlisle-Cummins:  ildi@caff.org or  831-454-6868.