Area Specialized Agent- Ag Business & Marketing (Cherokee County)

The Area Specialized Agent will work closely with North Carolina small farmers and Extension Agents within the multi-county area. The position will work to assess and respond to the needs of limited-resource small farmers and extension agents across the state of North Carolina. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with commodity-oriented teams of research and Extension specialists and will be expected to develop and lead a nationally recognized Extension and applied research program on small farms and production in the region of North Carolina. Extension responsibilities will focus on developing educational programs and materials for limited resource populations, small farmers, new and beginning small farmers, and other agribusinesses. The applied research program will focus on addressing relevant and practical issues facing North Carolina's small farmers and align with the mission and vision of Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T. This position will be located in the Cherokee County Extension office and is expected to collaborate with other Extension staff in that office and those in surrounding counties (Graham, Swain, Haywood, Transylvania, Jackson, Macon, and Clay)

The primary focus of the Area Specialized Agent will be to support small farmers in these counties through:

1. Market Development: Assisting farmers in identifying and accessing new market opportunities, both locally and regionally, to increase the profitability and sustainability of their operations.

2. Innovative Marketing Strategies: Providing training and resources on the latest marketing techniques, including digital marketing, direct-to-consumer sales, and branding strategies, to help farmers effectively reach and engage with their target audiences.

3. Business Development: Offering guidance on business planning, financial management, and risk mitigation, tailored to the unique needs of small-scale farmers.

4. Collaborative Initiatives: Facilitating collaborations between farmers, local businesses, and community organizations to create synergistic opportunities and strengthen the local agribusiness network.

5. Educational Programs: Conducting workshops, seminars, and field days focused on agribusiness and marketing, ensuring that farmers have access to the latest knowledge and best practices.

N.C. A&T is a public, land-grant, doctoral research institution and has been the largest historically Black university in the country for the past decade. With an enrollment of 14,311 students in Fall 2024, the university offers 59 undergraduate degree programs, 36 master's programs, and 12 doctoral programs. It is America's top producer of Black graduates in Engineering and Agricultural Science bachelor's programs, as well as a top five producer in numerous additional disciplines, including Liberal Arts and Communications/Journalism. It also ranks no. 3 in master's degrees awarded to Black graduates in Engineering Technologies and Related Fields, no. 4 in master's degrees in Engineering, and no. 11 best business school for women in the nation.

Nationally recognized for its leadership and excellence in STEM education and research, N.C. A&T is classified as "R2-High Research Activity" in the Carnegie Classifications and is poised to achieve "R1-Very High Research Activity" status. It also holds Carnegie's earned credential in Community Engagement and the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation. With an annual economic impact of $2.4 billion, N.C. A&T plays a vital role as a higher-education economic driver in North Carolina's Piedmont Triad region and across a state that is ranked No. 1 in the nation for the second straight year as "best for business" by the CNBC financial network.

Cooperative Extension at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is an educational outreach organization within the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. Cooperative Extension at A&T provides researched-based educational information, programming, and technical assistance to limited-resource audiences that address a diverse range of issues in four programmatic areas - Agriculture and Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences, Community and Rural Development, and 4-H Youth Development. Together with its partners - North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, state and county governments, a dynamic and resourceful system is formed. In addition to campus operations, The Cooperative Extension Program has professionally staffed offices in nearly half of the 100 counties in North Carolina and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

In North Carolina new farm enterprises are emerging that are dependent on the local market for income. Some of these diverse enterprises may include vegetables, fruit, grass-fed beef, pork, poultry, aquaculture, small scale timber, and specialty crops. Farmers markets, community supported agriculture and some restaurants place a higher value on locally produced products. Agribusiness initiatives are helping farmers capitalize on the growing market for local foods. Farmers are being connected with local grocers, food services, and institutions that are beginning to demand a greater supply of locally produced foods.

You must complete and submit an electronic application for employment to be considered. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing an electronic application. Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD 214 form. Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty with your application during the process of applying to the job posting. Final candidates are subject to criminal and sex offender background checks. North Carolina A&T State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. North Carolina A&T State University is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. No one who applies or seeks employment will be denied admission to or employment at North Carolina A&T State University on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disabling condition, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or sexual orientation and sexual identity.

Employee Benefits available to NC A & T permanent employees include the following and more;

This position may be eligible for a remote or hybrid work arrangement, consistent with university and state policies. N.C. A&T employees are generally required to reside in North Carolina, within a 2-hour commuting distance of their assigned duty station.