What are the responsibilities and job description for the Climate-Smart Markets Coordinator position at Rodale Institute?
This position is funded through a USDA Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities grant that aims to expand climate-smart agriculture and markets across organic and conventional farms in the Southern Piedmont of the United States. This work will implement cover crops, reduced-till, and plasticulture farming, study the impacts of these practices on greenhouse gas emissions and soil health, verify and improve the USDA COMET Planner for Southern Piedmont soils, assess the economic and social barriers to transition to climate-smart agriculture, evaluate various marketing strategies abilities to influence consumer behavior toward the purchase of climate-smart commodities, develop an easy-to-use app for farmers to utilize while marketing value-added climate-smart commodities, and model the impacts of climate change on the suite of commodities grown in the region. This project provides enhanced financial incentives for underserved and small-scale farmers to encourage participation. The project plans to increase revenue streams and provide financial incentives, equipment, and technical assistance to guide the Southern Piedmont farming community toward the adoption of climate-smart agriculture.
The Climate-Smart Markets Coordinator will assist farmers across the Southern Piedmont region to connect with organic and conventional market opportunities and buyers, and work to establish local, regional, and national supply chains. The Markets Coordinator will report to the Climate-Smart Director and will work indirectly with the Consulting, Communications & Marketing, Development, and Education departments at Rodale Institute and directly with Southern Piedmont Climate-Smart Project partners.
This position will work remotely from a home office. This position will require extensive regional travel with some national travel for events and other meetings/conferences as needed.
This position’s time is allotted for Market Development Technical Assistance and Supply/Demand Matching deliverables, supported by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Partnership for Climate- Smart Commodities (PCSC) grant. This position is funded through March of 2028 with no guarantee for refunding.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
The Climate-Smart Markets Coordinator will assist farmers across the Southern Piedmont region to connect with organic and conventional market opportunities and buyers, and work to establish local, regional, and national supply chains. The Markets Coordinator will report to the Climate-Smart Director and will work indirectly with the Consulting, Communications & Marketing, Development, and Education departments at Rodale Institute and directly with Southern Piedmont Climate-Smart Project partners.
This position will work remotely from a home office. This position will require extensive regional travel with some national travel for events and other meetings/conferences as needed.
This position’s time is allotted for Market Development Technical Assistance and Supply/Demand Matching deliverables, supported by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Partnership for Climate- Smart Commodities (PCSC) grant. This position is funded through March of 2028 with no guarantee for refunding.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
- Event Coordination
- Facilitate events for producers to meet buyers, network with other producers, and learn about processing and marketing channels
- ravel across region to consult with farmers about organic and conventional market opportunities
- Organize and run two National TOPP events in the southeast region in collaboration with the Rodale Institute Consulting team
- Provide Technical Assistance, Conduct Outreach, and Build Community
- Build strong, productive relationships with industry personnel including but not limited to Buyers/Supply Chain Actors, Regional Climate-Smart Partners, and Regional Food Business Centers
- Connect farmers and regional buyers (i.e. food hubs, coops, etc.) as well as multi-regional buyers (i.e. CPG brands, wholesale buyers, etc.)
- Develop markets plans for participating organic and conventional project farmers
- Identify regional organic and conventional diverse vegetable markets needs and communicate these to collaborators
- Ensure farmers are aware of appropriate grants opportunities
- Support Farmer and Producer understanding of Processor/Handler NOP rules
- Work with the Climate-Smart Certification Coordinator in identifying participating farmer certification needs to enhance their marketing potential
- Attend agriculture meetings, conferences, field days, and other events across the region to represent the Southern Piedmont Climate-Smart and the Rodale Institute Organic Consulting Programs
- Support farms and organizations to develop specific priorities around addressing food insecurity and offer services to historically underserved populations
- Perform other duties as assigned by management
- Complete Administrative Tasks
- Maintain complete and accurate client and project files, utilizing the team’s Client Relationship Management (CRM) system and other software systems as required
- Develop reports of coordinator activities as requested by USDA and external funders
- Manage individual travel, conference, and education budgets for final approval by supervisor
- Participate in Continuous Learning
- Stay updated on organic certification to ensure standards and policies of the producers and supply chain actors comply with the NOP
- Continue to develop knowledge of market trends and supply chain conditions
- Complete International Organic Inspector Association (IOIA) Processing & Handling Training, if not previously completed
- Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness, Marketing, or related field with 2-4 years of experience. An equivalent combination of education or experience is acceptable
- Strong supply chain background
- Experience working in sales of organic and natural products
- Must possess sound judgment, excellent reasoning, and decision-making skills
- Must have excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple projects
- Must be able to work independently while supporting the efforts of an overall team
- Must be able to work effectively in a remote environment
- Must be able to meet the travel requirements of the position and maintain a valid and unrestricted driver’s license
- Ability to work well with others is required while creating a high-quality and respectful work environment
- Ability to communicate with tact and diplomacy with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders is a must
- Responsiveness and attention to client needs is essential
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Experience working on or interacting with organic farms
- Working knowledge of the National Organic Program
- Experience with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems. HubSpot experience is preferred
- IOIA training in Crops, Livestock, or Processing & Handling scopes
Travel:
- Regular travel throughout the southeast (VA, NC, SC, GA and AL) is required
- Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. This position is eligible for a comprehensive Rodale Institute benefits package
- This position is contingent upon satisfactory performance and funding availability. This position is funded through March of 2028 with no guarantee for refunding
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, sexual identity or handicap.
