FARM BUSINESS EDUCATOR

COMPANY DESCRIPTION 

Since 1979, the Kansas Rural Center has worked with Kansas farmers and their communities to advance a food and farming system that is socially just, ecologically sound, and economically viable. The Kansas Rural Center provides information, education, and opportunities to build healthy communities, facilitate meaningful conversations, and cultivate grassroots civic engagement across Kansas. Over the past 45 years, we have focused on ecological farming methods, climate change, sustainable energy paradigms, rural communities, equitable access to healthy locally grown food and health care, infrastructure, women in farming, and public policy related to farm and food systems and other issues that impact the lives and health of Kansans. 

 

JOB SUMMARY 

The Kansas Rural Center (KRC) Farm Business Educator will provide education, outreach and support to Kansas farmers, especially new and beginning farmers with under 10 years in operation, agricultural businesses in the state of Kansas.  The Farm Business Educator will need an ability to communicate with and engage a variety of farmers and agricultural businesses across the state. This position is funded by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service Heartland Regional Food Business Center and will support the mission of that Center.  

The Kansas Rural Center deeply embraces the power of diversity and inclusion in both our society and farming/crop production, we are proud to offer an equal employment opportunity free of discrimination on non-merit factors.  Please see our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policy on our website at https://kansasruralcenter.org/diversity-equity-inclusion-policy. 

 

RESPONSIBILITIES & TASKS  

  • Develop educational programs on farm business management for Kansas farmers and ranchers, especially targeted to beginning farmers and ranchers.  

  • Serve as Kansas Rural Center’s key contact to help connect agricultural entrepreneurs and small businesses across the state of Kansas with available resources to help their business development. 

  • Conduct inclusive, culturally competent outreach and relationship management with farmers and ranchers in Kansas. 

  • Grow and maintain ongoing relationships with Kansas stakeholders in the business community, including the USDA and other local, state and federal business support programs. 

  • Respond to questions from farmers and business owners and follow through with excellent customer service. 

  • Plan, coordinate, schedule, and track outcomes of meetings and events, and represent the Kansas Rural Center’s role in the Heartland Regional Food Business Center’s programming. 

  • Offer specialized business consulting and connection to online resources through face-to-face meetings, virtual consultations, webinars, and presentations to farmers, local business groups, and partners. 

  • Manage and implement data tracking for grant reporting. 

  • Develop, update, and promote resource offerings from Kansas Rural Center to ensure that underserved business owners have equitable access to resources. 

  • Work with other KRC Program staff to organize workshops and the KRC annual conference. This includes planning, promoting, and assisting with day-of logistics.  

  • Collaborate with other KRC Staff to promote sustainable agriculture across the state of Kansas. 

  • Other duties as assigned. 

PAY & BENEFITS 

  • Salary is $45,000 for a full-time role. Full time at the Kansas Rural Center currently is defined as 36 hours per week.  

  • One day of paid vacation and sick leave each per month. 

  • Holidays- 8 set holidays, 1 floating holiday plus the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day off each year.  

  • Retirement plan contributions beginning after six months of employment. 

 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

  • Ability to travel across the state of Kansas.  

  • Ability to work at a computer for prolonged periods of time.  

 

HOW TO APPLY:   

Send letter of interest, resume and one writing sample or an example of a digital media campaign to jobs@kansasruralcenter.org.  

Applications will be accepted until June 30.