Director of Agriculture

CitySeed creates opportunity and expands access across our local food system, from field to shelf. We operate farmers markets, facilitate wholesale farm-to-institution procurement, incubate food businesses, train aspiring chefs for culinary careers, and operate a food service social enterprise. The Director of Agriculture is a dynamic and driven leader with proven experience in program development to lead CitySeed’s work in support of sustainable agriculture and agricultural viability, with a focus on farmers markets and farm-to-institution aggregation. The Director will have demonstrated expertise in food systems and engaging with farmers. They will build on the success of CitySeed farmers markets over the past 22 years, and find new ways to grow and evolve programming via collaboration with a broad network of stakeholders.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Leadership

• Develop and implement strategies and operational plans for programs that contribute to sustainable agriculture and agricultural viability:
  • Farmers markets, including vendor engagement, nutrition incentive programs, seasonal programming, and community partnerships
  • Farm-to-institution aggregation, including farm recruitment and support, ordering and delivery technology and logistics, and customer partnerships and branding support
• Monitor and maintain financial health of the farmers markets and farm-to-institution procurement
• Maintain and expand market and aggregation vendor relationships, ensuring effective communication and accountability to guidelines
• Ensure that program systems and processes operate efficiently, sustainably, and with capacity for growth
• Identify new opportunities for improving customers’ experience at farmers markets and via farm-to-institution procurement
• Track program data and produce reports to assess agricultural programs’ impact and outcomes, including overseeing the collection and input of vendor transaction and nutrition program data
• Ensure programs are responsive to trends in the local, regional, and national food system
• Serve as a thought partner for food business incubation programs, especially related to connecting food entrepreneurs with market opportunities and local ingredient purchasing

Advocacy and Partnerships

• Serve as a spokesperson for CitySeed’s agricultural programming
• Build collaborative partnerships with food systems leaders and organizations
• Advocate for public policy, programs, and funding that advance CitySeed’s mission and programs, especially regarding nutrition benefits and farmland preservation
• Participate in and represent CitySeed with local, state, and regional networks and committees that advance program goals

Team Management

• Provide day-to-day leadership and supervision for agricultural programs staff (currently 1 full-time, 4 part-time) and interns
• Oversee market managers in the training, scheduling, and evaluation of volunteers
• Assess program staffing needs and hire, train, supervise, and evaluate staff in accordance with CitySeed personnel policies
• Lead and nurture a strong and cohesive team via shared planning, open communication, and leadership development
• Ensure that staff and program are supported, including with physical infrastructure and equipment

Fundraising and Budgeting

• Support agricultural programs fundraising strategy
• Lead the drafting, data collection, and reporting of key grant applications
• Assist with annual program budgeting, review budget monthly, and make adjustments to spending as needed
• Monitor and support farmers markets and aggregation billing and accounting processes

Communications

• Provide direction to and feedback on program communications strategy and materials
• Create and develop program content for the newsletter, website, social media, and other platforms
• Support CitySeed’s communications team in responding to press inquiries

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Knowledge of Connecticut food systems and agricultural operations, including vegetable, fruit, meat, flower, and dairy production
• 5+ years of relevant experience with nonprofit program management, food systems, farmers market management, government services, community services, and/or stakeholder engagement
• Program leadership experience including: budget and fiscal management, goal-setting, team building and staff management, monitoring and evaluation, program development, and community outreach and engagement
• Strong written communications skills, including writing and editing of grant proposals, newsletters and social media content, and outreach materials
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders
• Experience taking initiative and managing complex projects that require organization, attention to detail, prioritization, and meeting deadlines
• Passion for community-level food systems and a commitment to racial and economic justice

Preferred

• Knowledge and/or experience with farm-to-institution aggregation
• Knowledge of the New Haven food system and/or nonprofit landscape
• Experience with nonprofit strategic planning and organizational growth
• Flexibility, maturity, and a sense of humor
• Language skills in Spanish, Arabic, and/or Farsi/Dari

CitySeed offers generous PTO, 401(k) matching, dental and vision insurance, dependent care FSA, long term disability coverage, and life insurance.