Land & Equity Director

POSITION DESCRIPTION

This position will further Sprout’s mission by having a strong vision for how to make positive, collective change for farmers in the state of Louisiana. The Land & Equity Director is one of three executive-level staff who direct the organization, and work with Sprout employees to make decisions for the organization in a shared leadership model. The Director will strengthen the community of producers, and partners we work with by encouraging collective action, networking, and resource-sharing to increase the resiliency, equity, and viability of farming in Louisiana. In addition, the Director will build Sprout’s body of work for Land & Equity programming, helping to pave the way for increased land ownership by intentionally underserved growers. The Director will bring extensive knowledge of agricultural methods and regulation, markets, and federal programs; deep relationships with growers, funders, and community partners; a focus on equity and an alignment with Sprout values; and experience in developing and leading nonprofit operations, designing and managing programs, and fundraising. The Director will build Sprout’s Land & Equity initiatives, including helping farmers navigate land ownership, farmer networking, education, resources, and statewide and national partnerships. This work involves fundraising, budgeting, and building relationships. The Director manages several staff members. The Director role is a full-time role with semi-flexible work locations and a high level of autonomy; the position requires a high degree of energy for making social connections and decisions, delegating, and problem-solving.

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND & POSITION CONTEXT

Our mission is to provide technical and social support to established and developing small-scale and sustainable farmers, community gardeners, and farm workers in Louisiana. This will build a stronger, more equipped community of growers and help all New Orleanians be part of a community food system. Sprout pitches into our Louisiana food system in several ways: coordinating technical assistance and education for producers, networking and organizing farmers for collective action, and redistributing resources to a frontline community.

POPULATION WE SERVE

Sprout prioritizes shifting power to farmers and growers who are Black, Indigenous, LGBTQIA+, people of color, and women. The USDA uses the term “Socially Disadvantaged,” but for the purposes of this position description we will use “intentionally underserved.”

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Sprout Leadership

• This is one of three directors who leads the organization. This team is in charge of strategic visioning and implementation of annual goal-setting for the organization
• Collaborates with other Sprout directors and staff on organizational decisions and policy stances
• Establish and maintain relationships with various organizations throughout the state and utilize those relationships to strategically enhance Sprout’s mission
• Report to and work closely with the Board of Directors to seek their involvement in policy decisions, and fundraising, and to increase the visibility of the organization
• With other directors–co-maintain a strong work culture that attracts and retains staff members whose experiences and cultures reflect the community served by Sprout
• Attend and co-lead organization Board meetings, Board Committee meetings, and staff meetings
• Speaking and presenting to other organizations and coalitions as a representative of Sprout
• Attend and co-lead organization Board meetings, Board Committee meetings, and staff meetings
• Advise on employment and administrative policies and procedures

Land & Equity Programming

• Lead on visioning and strategy for Sprout’s Land & Equity programming, including reparations, community building, technical assistance, and pathways to stable land tenure for intentionally underserved Louisiana farmers
• Work in collaboration with the Louisiana Small Scale Agriculture Coalition and other community partners on statewide farmer grants, policy, farm-to-institution coordination, and technical assistance for intentionally underserved growers
• Build and lead an effective team for Land & Equity programming that’s dedicated to fulfilling the organization’s mission. This includes overseeing the recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and training of new staff and providing regular and annual feedback, and professional development.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with allied organizations in New Orleans and greater Louisiana to share programming and funding in alignment with organizational missions
• Lead grassroots organizing and movement-building around equitable land policies for the state and region
• Continue and strengthen relationships with intentionally underserved small to midsize farmers in Louisiana
• Collaborate with employees and through partnerships and coalitions to support a larger body of food-systems and Black liberation work
• Serve as Sprout’s primary spokesperson for the organization, media and general public as it pertains to statewide Land & Equity programming
• Build a network of land stewards, fostering collaboration and resource-sharing between intentionally underserved farmers, and facilitating decisions about funding allocation
• Promote cooperative action amongst farmers and increase awareness of policies that impact them
• Monitor and evaluate Land & Equity programming, including methodology and data collection and analysis

Finance, Administration, Development, & Communication

• Build and maintain relationships with individual donors, corporation and foundation staff, and government contacts for Land & Equity
• Write grants and work with fundraising staff and contractors on grants for Land & Equity programming, in support of the annual fundraising plan.
• Participate in the annual budgeting process, manage the Land & Equity budget
• Cultivate relationships with donors to grow the reparations budget
• Help maintain a database of farmers for advocacy and outreach for the state of Louisiana, and facilitate collection and maintenance of data pertaining to Land & Equity programming
• Build and maintain relationships with individual donors, corporation and foundation staff, and government contacts for Land & Equity programming
• Lead on marketing and communications efforts regarding Land & Equity programming

DESIRED SKILLS & QUALITIES

• 3+ years in senior management in a nonprofit organization
• Experience with fundraising, marketing, and public relations
• Knowledge of leadership and executive management principles for nonprofit organizations
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; a persuasive and passionate communicator with excellent interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills.
• Ability to prioritize people and community relationships over efficiency (for example, spending time building relationships with funders when opportunities arise)
• Excellent time management skills, and the ability to help others navigate multiple projects and a changing workplace
• Experience with grassroots organizing
• Ability to manage and build impactful relationships at work
• Connection to principles of food sovereignty
• Passion, idealism, integrity, positive attitude, mission-driven, and self-directed
• Organization, attention to detail, and willingness to build systems and create structure at SPROUT
• Understanding of Louisiana’s food system and farming sector
  • Competency with farming and history working in some combination of:
  • Community/School gardens
  • Farms/Farmer’s Markets
  • Government agencies and programs related to agriculture
  • Land Policy or law
• Dedication to cultivating an equitable workplace that works against the oppressive limits of capitalism
• A belief in the mission and importance of creating a safe and inclusive space for BIPOC, veterans, women, and LGBTQ farmers.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL ABILITIES

• Remaining in a stationary position for the majority of the time
• Operating a computer, phone, and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator and printer
• Occasionally moving about inside an office
• Communicating information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information
• Ability to engage safely and comfortably with physical space on farms and in gardens and helping to set up for events and in-person gatherings

SUCCESS IN YEAR 1

In the first year of the role, a successful candidate will:

• Build deep familiarity with Sprout programs and Louisiana Small-Scale Sustainable Agriculture Coalition’s statewide programs for underserved growers
• Cultivate healthy, generative relationships with Sprout co-directors, staff, Board of Directors, and network of partners
• Collaborate with co-directors to improve equity in Sprout’s structure, staff wellbeing, and programs
• Lead on program monitoring and evaluation design, and grant reporting for producer programs
• Raise critical funding for Land + Equity programs and Sprout General Operations through donor cultivation and grant writing
• Build relationships and assess needs of intentionally underserved growers in southeast Louisiana, and begin to outline a strategic vision for Land + Equity at Sprout to launch in 2026
• Support the Louisiana Farmers Climate Convening in early January, 2025 (start date permitting)

COMPENSATION

Salary is $85,000 annually for a full-time role. We practice organizational transparency in our compensation structure, so we do not negotiate salaries. This role comes with: a generous leave package of paid holidays, sick days, and vacation; medical, vision, and dental insurance; and a 401k with employer match.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Visit www.sproutnola.org/careers to see more information about the position, sign up for a 30 minute Technical Assistance session with a member of Sprout staff to see if the job is a fit for you, and to submit your application. Any questions can be directed to hiring@sproutnola.org with “Land & Equity Director” in the subject line.