Program Manager

Farm Aid is looking for a full-time Program Manager to join our small staff in Cambridge, MA. Farm Aid is a national, nonprofit organization working to build a vibrant, family farm-centered system of agriculture in America. Since 1985, Farm Aid has raised $48 million to support programs that help farmers thrive, expand the reach of the Good Food Movement, take action to change the dominant system of industrial agriculture and promote food from family farms.

The Program Manager works to strengthen family farm and rural service organizations nationally and the resources and opportunities available for family farmers through strategic management, implementation, promotion and evaluation of Farm Aid’s grant program and the Farm Aid Resource Network website (ideas.farmaid.org). The Program Manager provides secondary staffing for Farm Aid’s 1-800 hotline, providing farmers with quality referrals and emotional support.  

Responsibilities include: 

• Manage Farm Aid’s grant program supporting family farm and rural service organizations across the country.
• Monitor, evaluate and report the impact of Farm Aid’s grant program.
• Manage the Farm Aid Resource Network’s online offerings (ideas.farmaid.org), including associated social media, outreach and promotion.
• Engage in ongoing learning of farmer service providers, programming and resources around the country, with a focus on sustainable production/transition, direct/institutional/wholesale markets, and conservation and land access offerings. Translate into quality referrals and content development.      
• Serve as secondary person designated to respond to Farm Aid’s 1-800 hotline and [email protected] email.
• Participate in ongoing Farm Aid activities, planning and implementation, including annual concert functions.

Areas of expertise include strong program administration and project management skills; experience with grantmaking and/or grant writing/reporting; experience with program monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment; moderate web and social media proficiency; exceptional written and verbal communication skills, particularly active listening, as well as the ability to handle confidential information. Candidate must be detail-oriented and a capable systems manager. Candidate must be able to establish good rapport with partners and maintain effective working relationships with people from a wide range of backgrounds. Ability to work independently and in a team environment is a must. Also seeking someone with a sense of humor, integrity and compassion, along with an optimistic outlook and willingness for periodic nationally travel.

Minimum requirements are an equivalency of a BA or BS degree and minimum of 3+ years of experience in the food and agriculture or nonprofit sector. Proficiency with Microsoft Office required (Word, Excel) and Filemaker Pro preferred. Familiarity with agriculture and related environmental, social and economic issues a plus.

To Apply

If you have these qualities and are interested, please apply by May 3, 2015. Early applications are strongly encouraged and applications will be considered as they are received and until position is filled. All applicants must submit a cover letter highlighting their experience and skills relevant to the listed qualifications, a current resume and a writing sample. Email to [email protected] with “Program Manager” in the subject line. No calls please. Farm Aid is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting a diverse staff; individuals from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. 

For more information about Farm Aid, please visit www.farmaid.org