Thursday, July 22, 2010

Funding to Help Study and Build Elderberry Market in MO

Source: Missouri Beginning Farming

The University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry has been awarded a grant from the North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE), "Developing Successful Marketing Strategies for Elderberry Growers and Value-Added Processors: A Model for Specialty Crop Development in the U.S. Midwest."

The grant will use an integrated approach to contribute to the creation and development of an elderberry regional industry as a model for specialty crop development in the Midwest U.S., said project director and UMCA associate director, Mike Gold.

The project will increase knowledge about the elderberry market in the region. An elderberry financial decision tool will be developed to support producer decision making for on-farm and associated enterprise opportunities. A comprehensive outreach program will disseminate results of this project.

Only 9 percent of the initial pre-proposal submissions were ultimately funded by the North Central Sustainable Agriculture, Research and Education Program.

"All funding is very competitive these days," Gold said. "We are excited to have received this award and are ready to move ahead with our elderberry project to carry the industry forward."

In addition to Gold, key players in the grant include Ina Cernusca, UMCA marketing specialist; Francisco Aguilar, assistant professor of forest economics, MU Forestry Department; Larry Godsey, UMCA economist; Elizabeth Barham, rural sociologist, University of Arkansas Agricultural Economics Department; John Brewer, president and co-founder of Wyldewood Cellars Winery; Terry Durham, organic farmer, Eridu Farm, Hartsburg, Mo.; Andrew L. Thomas, research assistant professor in horticulture, MU Southwest Research and Education Center; Patrick L. Byers, MU Extension, horticulture specialist; Julie Rhoads, UMCA event planner; Michelle Hall, UMCA senior information specialist; and Park Bay, agricultural lender and Vice President of Business Development, First National Bank & Trust (now Landmark Bank), Columbia, Mo.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Decorative Woody Florals in MN: Beautiful and Sustainable

Source: Sleepy Eye News

The agriculture industry is perceived as dirty and utilitarian. But some farmers, like Chad Kingstrom, are bringing a bit of pizzazz to the party. Kingstrom, of Sacred Heart in west-central Minnesota, brightens homes and landscapes alike with decorative woody florals he perpetuates on his property.

This colorful venture began with Kingstrom taking part in a local decorative woody florals-growing group which promotes sustainable agriculture and developing sustainable communities. At the time, he was involved in agroforestry as a production manager of a “medium-sized” tree farm for a landscaping company. As his involvement increased, Kingstrom decided to make a go of growing his own woody florals such as red and yellow dogwoods and Japanese willows. Being associated with the project led him to eventually procure a Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education grant and he was on his way.

His first planting was about a year later in 2005 while still working for the landscaping company. It was a direction he was heading in for a long time. Kingstrom became interested in gardening and growing while a teen working for a tree farm. “I wanted my own nursery so I went with a plan,” he explained. “I wanted added income and habitat for birds and wildlife and I wanted to add value to the landscape.” Getting started in growing decorative woody florals is inexpensive, Kingstrom pointed out. “It doesn‘t require a huge capital outlay to put in 100 plants even,” he said. “And if you can find someone who will give you cuttings, it can be even less. You can get started with little money, so that’s a benefit.”

There are a variety of markets available for selling his decorative branches, buds and blooms. Individual customers buy them, as do a number of garden centers and florists. Over a few years Kingstrom has developed a consistent clientele. The markets appear to be stable, especially for Red Dogwood. The need of color, especially during Minnesota winters keeps people buying.

While these trees provide a beautiful aesthetic, are they a viable, sustainable product?

“I would say they are very sustainable,” Kingstrom stated. “They are very easy to grow. They take care of themselves.” He uses no chemicals in his nursery and once planted and established, the trees require minimum upkeep outside of some weed control. Cuttings from existing plants are used to perpetuate the crop allowing expansion from what already exists. “You can keep going from what you have, you don’t need to grow more,” he added.

Currently Kingstrom has a three-acre tree nursery and grows his 120 decorative florals spread out over about half an acre. His mix includes the two varieties of dogwood and curly willow along with his best-selling Japanese willow. The red dogwood remains the most successful in fall while the Japanese willows pick up in the spring. Growing these trees is something that can be done along with other farming pursuits without becoming overwhelming. “Anybody can do it with a little space in their yard,” Kingstrom said. “You can do it just about anywhere with anything else.”

He advises establishing where the trees will be grown, then controlling the weeds in that area. Focusing on just a few types of trees to start is better until determining market demand. Proper pruning in the spring is a key to getting the desired product: diligent maintenance is crucial for a marketable product, said Kingstrom. “Use your imagination,” Kingstrom says. “Find a niche, find what no one else is doing then show your results to garden centers and florists. There’s a lot to presentation.”

To learn more about this project, visit the online SARE project report website at http://www.sare.org/MySare/ProjectReport.aspx?do=viewProj&pn=FNC04-498

Friday, July 9, 2010

Get the Facts on Starting an Aquaculture Business at an Ohio Fish Farm Tour

Source: OSU Extension

WOOSTER, Ohio – Anyone interested in starting an aquaculture business, or perhaps expanding an existing one, has the opportunity to participate in a tour of fish farms throughout northeast Ohio on July 16.

Ohio State University’s South Centers at Piketon and Ohio Soybean Council will sponsor the event, which runs from 7:45 a.m. until 6 p.m. The cost is $20 per person.

The Northeast Ohio Fish Farm Tour will feature stops at Scales to Tails, Laurel Creek Fin Farm, Raber’s Fish Farm, Fender’s Fish Hatchery, and Blue Ribbon Fish Farm. Participants will meet at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center’s Fisher Auditorium at 7:45 a.m. before departing on the tour. The tour is schedule to arrive back at OARDC around 6 p.m. OARDC is located at 1680 Madison Avenue, Wooster, Ohio.

Scales to Tails Seafood Shoppe sells live fish and fresh filets. The shop also boasts a large processing facility. Owners Dave and Wendy Lemke also raise tilapia, yellow perch, bluegill and largemouth bass. Learn what it takes to raise, process and sell farm-raised fish at a retail market.

Laurel Creek Fin Farm, operated by Chuck Jolley, raises bluegill and largemouth bass for food fish on his lot of three ponds. The unique record system kept at this farm provides the information to chart feeding behaviors at various times throughout the season and helps to prevent wasting feed.

Raber’s Fish Farm is an Amish farm that raises fish and operates a catering business. This stop will include lunch at the catering facility.

Fender’s Fish Hatchery has been in business over 50 years. This farm utilizes ponds that stretch across three counties. The farm sets aside 13-14 broodstock ponds with 20-30 ponds in production throughout the season. See what it takes to operate a large-scale fish farming operation.

Blue Ribbon Fish Farm has been in the fish business 22 years. Co-owners Rich and Chuck Georgeone are active in the Fish Farmers of Ohio Association, and their business serves as a hub for the organization. Their processing facility has been in operation for over a year and runs enough farm-raised fish to handle supplies for local restaurants.

An additional program on July 17 will cover the economics of fish production: how to get money for aquaculture, how to make money and how to keep it. The program will run from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at OARDC’s Fisher Auditorium. The cost is $25 per person received by July 14 or $30 at the door.

Representatives from U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ohio Department of Agriculture, Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, USDA Farm Service Agency and Ohio State University will educate participants on where to get grants, low-interest loans and other financing options for their aquaculture business. Farmers from around the state will share information on what is needed to make fish farming profitable. In addition, participants will learn how to develop a solid investment plan from investment experts.

Tour of Illinois Flower and Wine Operations

Source: ACES News

Brightflower Nursery in Stockton and Famous Fossil Winery in Cedarville are the destinations of a tour sponsored by University of Illinois Extension. The tour is scheduled for Friday, August 13, and will begin at Brightflower Nursery at 9 a.m.

Jeanie McKewan and Michael Staver started Brightflower Nursery in 2006. "After working for a variety of business entrepreneurs on Chicago's North Shore, I decided that it was time to start my own," said McKewan, who is president of Brightflower. "I have always been involved in growing and gardening and have a master's degree in plant pathology."

Brightflower Nursery is certified organic. McKewan said the choice to become certified was partly about nurturing the land, but also as a marketing niche. "We are small with very little capital so it is difficult to build the business. We're far from some of our market, so delivery costs are high," she said.

Visitors will tour the greenhouse and hoop house production, the field production of cut flowers, the bouquet-building facility, and the cooler for flowers. For more about the nursery, visit http://www.brightflowernursery.com.

Mid-morning the tour will caravan to Famous Fossil Winery in Cedarville, which is owned and operated by Ken and Pam Rosmann. They began by planting the vineyard in 2004 and today have over 2,000 grapevines. The winery was opened in 2008.

The vineyard is certified biodynamic. "Our wines are made with the minimum of handling and preservatives," said Pam Rosmann. "We do not use any genetically modified yeasts to ferment the wine, and we use evaporated cane juice for our sweet wines."

The Rosmanns have also incorporated green technology in their structures. "Our building was built with maximum insulation in the walls, roof and windows," Rosmann said. "We use a heat exchanger, and a high-velocity heating and cooling system with on-demand hot water. Our woodwork, tasting bar, and display cabinets were grown, milled and built using local resources. All of our appliances are energy star and we use as many recycled products as we can find. We serve local foods as much as we can for our private parties and in our café."

Guests on the tour will visit the tasting room, the vineyard, and the winery operation, as well as the fossils that were discovered when the vineyard was being planted. Lunch will be served at the winery, and the tour will conclude at 2 p.m.

For more about the winery, visit www.famousfossilwinery.com.

"The University of Illinois Extension in northwestern Illinois has been active in supporting local foods efforts and providing training for small farms for the past five years," said Margaret Larson, county director at the Stephenson and Winnebago County Extension unit. "As part of these ongoing efforts and initiatives, we are pleased to partner with the U of I small farms program and the sustainable agriculture tours to provide area residents with the chance to gain more insight into the local businesses that contribute to the state's economy."

The final tour for the 2010 sustainable agriculture tour series is:

September 22, Agritourism — Farm Fresh Fun

Country Corner

Henry County

http://www.country-corner.com

A fee of $20 per person will be charged for each tour, which includes lunch. Two adults pay $30 when registered together, and children under the age of 10 attend free.

Registration at least one week in advance is required.

Visit http://web.extension.illinois.edu/smallfarm/ag_tours.cfm to register and for more details about each of the tours, including a map and agenda. To register by phone, contact Donna Cray at 217-241-4644. For more information, contact Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant (217-968-5512; cvnghgrn@illinois.edu).

University of Illinois Extension is a statewide educational network that links the resources and research of the University of Illinois to the people of Illinois. The programs and workshops, which take place throughout the state, address issues involving youth, families, community development, agriculture, and natural resources. If reasonable accommodations are needed in order to participate in any of the programs, call 217-241-4644.

The tours are sponsored by the University of Illinois Extension, the North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Professional Development Program, the Agriculture Tourism Partners of Illinois (ATPI), the Agroecology/Sustainable Agriculture Program at the University of Illinois, and the Stephenson and Winnebago Counties Extension Unit.

MN Farmers Interested in Conducting Research Sought for Cover Crop Project

Source: AgriNews
By Janet Kubat Willette

Rural Advantage is looking for producers interested in experimenting with cover crops.

Jill Sackett, Extension educator and conservation agronomist with University of Minnesota Extension and Rural Advantage, spoke about the cover crop project at Wheat Day June 23 in Kilkenny.

Rural Advantage is partnering with Practical Farmers of Iowa to encourage producers to plant cover crops. The two organizations received a grant through the North Central region of the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program.

The cover crop must be a non-cash crop, but it can be grazed, Sackett said.

The grant began last fall and is active through fall 2012. Producers can be compensated for one year and must be willing host a field day and do research. They must also keep records of their project.

The goal is to sign up 20 producers over the four years or about seven producers per year. Ideally, the funders would like one producer per county, Sackett said.

The incentive is up to $20 per acre for up to 20 acres. There may also a bonus to offset the cost of doing on-farm research.

Corn silage, small grains and canning crops are the optimum choices for cover crops, Sackett said.

The grant is available statewide.

For more information, telephone Sackett at 507-238-5449 or email sacke032@umn.edu.

In Iowa, telephone Sarah Carlson at Practical Farmers of Iowa at 515-232-5661 or email sarah@practicalfarmers.org.

For more information on this SARE project, visit the SARE project website at http://www.sare.org/MySARE/ProjectReport.aspx?do=viewProj&pn=LNC09-313

IOWA POLLINATOR CONSERVATION PLANNING SHORT COURSE

Source: The Xerces Society

Tuesday August 10, 2010, Ames, IA 9:30am-4pm

The 2008 Farm Bill makes pollinators and their habitat a conservation priority for every USDA land manager and conservationist. This training session provides an overview of pollinator-specific language within the Farm Bill, and how to translate that language into on-the-ground conservation.

This day-long Short Course will equip conservationists, land managers, farm educators, and agricultural professionals with the latest science-based approaches to increasing crop security and reversing the trend of pollinator decline, especially in heavily managed agricultural landscapes.

Introductory topics include the basic principles of pollinator biology, the economics of insect pollination, recognizing native bee species, and assessment of pollinator habitat.

Advance modules will cover farm management practices for pollinator protection, the development of pollinator habitat enhancements, incorporating pollinator conservation into NRCS programs, selection of plants for pollinator enhancement sites, management of natural and urban landscapes, and the additional funding sources and technical support available to land managers.

Throughout the workshop these training modules are illustrated by real case studies of pollinator conservation efforts across the country.

The Short Course is free to the first 30 registrants. Additional seats are available for $25. Participants will receive the Xerces Society’s Pollinator Conservation Toolkit that includes published farm and habitat management guidelines, fact sheets and nest construction plans, relevant Extension and NRCS publications.

Location: Reiman Gardens (Iowa State University)
1407 University Blvd., Ames, IA 50011

Cost: Free (lunch not included).

For Registrations: Please contact Ashley Minnerath at 503-232-6639 or ashley@xerces.org

COURSE TRAINING SKILLS AND OBJECTIVES

  • Awareness of various federal programs and funding available for pollinator conservation
  • Identify approaches to increase and enhance pollinator diversity on the land
  • Knowledge of the current best management practices that minimize land-use impacts on pollinators
  • Ability to identify bees and distinguish them from other insects
  • Understand the economics of insect-pollinated crops, and the effects of pollinator decline
  • Knowledge of the 2008 Farm Bill pollinator conservation provisions and how to implement those provisions in programs such as WHIP, EQIP, and CSP
  • Ability to assess pollinator habitat and to identify habitat deficiencies
  • Ability to make recommendations to farmers and land managers that conserve pollinators (including subjects such as tillage, pesticide use, irrigation, burning, grazing, and cover cropping)
  • Ability to design and implement habitat improvements, such as native plant restoration and nest site enhancements

COURSE AGENDA
Module 1. Introduction

  • Pollination economics and the role of native bees in commercial crop production
  • Pollination biology
  • Colony Collapse Disorder and honey bee industry trends

Module 2. Basic bee biology

  • Bee identification
  • Identifying pollinator nest sites

Module 3. Bee-friendly farming

  • The role of farm habitat
  • Mitigating pesticide damage
  • Protecting ground-nesting bees in cultivated fields

Module 4. Open Laboratory

  • Field observation and land-use discussion (outdoors)
  • Examination of pinned specimens, artificial nests, and display materials

Module 5. Habitat restoration

  • Habitat design considerations
  • Plant selection and seed sources
  • Planting techniques for native wildflowers
  • Long-term habitat management
  • Artificial nest sites

Module 6. 2008 Farm Bill provisions

  • Using NRCS programs and practices for pollinator conservation
  • Conservation case studies

Module 7. Additional resources

Acknowledgements

These Pollinator Conservation Short Courses are supported by the supported by the Iowa Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program. Since 1988, SARE has helped advance farming systems that are profitable, environmentally sound and good for communities through a nationwide research and education grants program. The SARE program is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), U.S. Department of Agriculture. More information about SARE is available at www.sare.org.

NCR-SARE to Hire Professional Development Program Coordinator

The USDA North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE) program seeks applications for a coordinator of the Professional Development Program (PDP). Please help us fill the position by applying yourself or by forwarding the description to someone who might be interested.

Program Background

Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, SARE is a national program that supports and promotes sustainable food and fiber systems. SARE offers competitive grants and other educational endeavors to farmers and ranchers, scientists and researchers, educators, agencies, institutions, organizations, and other people and groups exploring sustainable agriculture. SARE is comprised of four separate regional programs.

NCR-SARE seeks to promote research, educational programs, and professional development that contribute to the economic, environmental, and social dimensions of agricultural sustainability in north central region. The region is made up of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Five grant programs currently support this mission: the Research and Education Grant Program, the Professional Development Program, the Farmer/Grower Grant Program, the Graduate Student and the Youth and Youth Educator Program. Further information on NCR-SARE is available online at: http://www.sare.org/ncrsare/.

NCR-SARE offers competitive grants and other educational endeavors for farmers, scientists and researchers, educators, agencies, institutions, organizations, and other people and groups exploring sustainable agriculture. The PDP initiative provides professional development opportunities for Cooperative Extension and Natural Resources Conservation Service personnel, state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other appropriate educator members of the north central agricultural community in sustainable agriculture concepts, practices, and systems. The program was initiated in 1994 to enhance the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, systems, and concepts throughout the region. It is authorized by Chapter 3 of Subtitle B of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990.

Responsibilities of the Position

The PDP coordinator is responsible to the NCR-SARE Administrative Council, in cooperation and coordination with the SARE regional director, who is located at the University of Minnesota. The PDP coordinator provides leadership for the professional development effort. Specific responsibilities include:

· Coordinate the regional PDP effort and develop the annual PDP plan of work, annual report, and appropriate public relations initiatives.

· Work in tandem with the Administrative Council to develop educational and professional development endeavors that promote, support and advance NCR-SARE

· Design requests for proposals, organize and facilitate PDP review panels for competitive grants, compile review panel recommendations and provide written and oral summary reports to the administrative council.

· Provide leadership and coordination of the PDP Review Committee of the Administrative Council to review state PDP grant applications and provide recommendations to the Administrative Council.

· Work with the state PDP coordinators to strengthen and improve the individual state PDP activities.

· Facilitate multistate and NCR-SARE PDP activities and workshops.

· Make policy and oversight recommendations to the NCR-SARE Administrative Council.

· Integrate SARE research results and other information into a core curriculum of educational and outreach materials and activities on sustainable agriculture.

· Provide leadership and oversight for the new regional core training curriculum.

· Evaluate program through formal and informal means to identify strengths, weaknesses and opportunities.

· Provide budgetary input to the regional director.

· Communicate with SARE PDP stakeholders, including state coordinators for sustainable agriculture, NGO representatives, farmers, and competitively funded project recipients.

· Coordinate other aspects of the NCR-SARE PDP effort as requested by the Administrative Council.

· Coordinate aspects of NCR-SARE PDP with other regional PDP efforts.

More Details

The administrative council welcomes applications for the PDP coordinator position from individuals from a range of types of institutions.

The successful applicant will devote at minimum three-quarter time to this effort, with a potential for full-time. Salary, staff support, and operating budget will be negotiated. The final agreement will be in the form of a subcontract issued by the University of Minnesota, where fiscal management of the PDP resides. The USDA will not pay overhead to an institution whose employee is selected for PDP coordinator.

Criteria for Selection


· Evidence of substantive leadership experience and a strong vision of sustainable agriculture in the north central region.

· Demonstrated success using a participatory leadership style.

· Strong evidence of creativity and innovation in developing, implementing and evaluating action plans.

· Demonstrated strength in administrative skills and follow-through in planning, the execution of agreed-upon plans, and their ongoing evaluation and improvement.

· Demonstrated ability to work with diverse PDP stakeholders.

· Familiarity and training in adult educational principles and practices.

· Familiarity with educational technology.

· Exemplary written and oral communications skills.

· Organizational commitment from the applicant’s institution, including the provision of at least basic facilities such as office space, utilities, furniture, and necessary office equipment.

· Evidence of ability to perform without on-site supervision.

The administrative council is committed to a seamless NCR-SARE program that provides linkages and coordination among its five grant programs. Applicants for the PDP coordinator position must be committed to the overall SARE program and strong coordination with the regional SARE coordinator and other staff at the regional office.

To Apply Please Use the Following Format:

1. Cover page with the name and title of the applicant, address, phone numbers, fax, and e-mail. Include organizational signature of authorization. Please include the effort (minimum of 75%) or range of effort that you are interested in devoting to this position. One page.

2. Qualifications of proposed coordinator pertinent to this position, including relevant experience and philosophy relative to agricultural sustainability in general and NCR-SARE in particular. Up to two pages.

3. Provide an explanation of how you expect to provide effective and equitable leadership to extension educators at land-grant universities and agriculture professionals at other institutions or organizations who are served by this program. Up to two pages.

4. Description of the sponsoring organization(s), characteristics, and commitment to agricultural sustainability, as well as to NCR-SARE PDP, including past commitment to sustainable agriculture, facilities available, location, and any other pertinent information. Up to two pages.

5. Letter of support from the director of Cooperative Extension in the state where the program resides, if the applicant is an employee of a land-grant university, or from an appropriate administrator if the applicant is from another institution or organization. One page.

6. Curriculum vitae of the applicant.


Submit one signed original and an electronic copy to:

Bill Wilcke
Regional Coordinator
NCR-SARE
120 BAE, University of Minnesota
1390 Eckles Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108
Phone: 612-625-8205
Fax: 612-626-3132
Email: wilck001@umn.edu

Application Review will begin: August 16, 2010

NCR-SARE to Hire Associate Director

The USDA North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE) program seeks applications for an Associate Program Director. Please help us fill the position by applying yourself or by forwarding the description to someone who might be interested.

Program Overview
North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE) strengthens rural communities, increases farmer / rancher profitability, and improves the environment by supporting research and education. NCR-SARE’s core value is the sustainability and well-being of all aspects of agriculture and those communities that support agriculture. Its core purpose is to preserve resources, to achieve the best environment possible, to produce the highest quality of product, and to maximize quality of life.

This is congruent with the national legislation which created the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Agriculture (NIFA) research and education program now entitled "Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education."

NCR-SARE seeks to promote research, educational programs, and professional development that contribute to the economic, environmental, and social dimensions of agricultural sustainability in north central region. The region is made up of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Five grant programs currently support this mission: the Research and Education Grant Program, the Professional Development Program, the Farmer/Grower Grant Program, the Graduate Student and the Youth and Youth Educator Program. Further information on NCR-SARE is available online at: http://www.sare.org/ncrsare/.

Duties/Responsibilities

This is a 100% time position with the North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE) program through CFANS Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering. The NCR-SARE program is funded through USDA grants to provide subaward grants for research in sustainable agriculture. Travel throughout the 12-state region is required. Reporting to the NCR-SARE Chapter 1 Director, the successful candidate will have the following duties and responsibilities:

Coordination of Research and Education and Graduate Student Programs, 75% of time
• Work with NCR-SARE Administrative Council to write calls for preproposals and proposals
• Work with communication specialist to announce calls
• Talk to potential pre-proposal and proposal authors
• Manage preproposal and proposal review process and work with the communication specialist to publicize newsworthy projects
• Monitor project reimbursement processes
• Publicize interesting results from projects
• Oversee reporting process
• Evaluate results of projects and programs

Represent NCR-SARE at Sustainable Ag Events, 20% of time
• Travel to out of town meetings
• Staff SARE or NCR-SARE booth at sustainable ag events
• Coordinate some meetings organized by NCR-SARE


Other Activities Specified by Director, 5% of time

• The Chapter 1 Director often has more tasks than can be accomplished in a normal week; the associate director would help with some of those tasks.
• Functional supervisory responsibility when the Director is not available.

Required Qualifications
• Master’s degreewith substantial administrative experience and years of service in equivalent positions.
• Experience and interest in sustainable agriculture
• Experience in grant management
• Ability to travel to SARE-related events
• Project and staff management experience
• Demonstrated ability to develop successful working relationships with diverse audiences

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field and proven administrative experience
• Service-oriented
• Excellent organizational, verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to build and support internal and external relationships
• Tolerance, patience, ability to get along with people
• Visionary, creative

Salary
Commensurate with experience; salary paid from NCR-SARE funds.

To Apply

This is a UMN staff position and a person needs to apply through the UMN Human Resources website ( http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/employment/), requisition no. 167022. This position will be located in the NCR-SARE office in St Paul MN, where there is private office space. This position will also have a search committee that will include an NCR-SARE AC member, an NCR-SARE staff member, and four BBE Faculty members including Bill Wilcke. The successful candidate will be approved by the NCR-SARE AC, by national SARE, and by UMN. The position will remain open until filled and salary will depend on previous experience.