Job Listings Title:
Statewide Agritourism Coordinator - University of California

Post Date
11/26/2024

Expiration Date
2/24/2025

Details:
Position Overview

The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for a Statewide Agritourism Coordinator, University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program (UC SAREP), Academic Coordinator II.

Location Headquarters: UC ANR, Davis, California

Purpose:

The Statewide Agritourism Coordinator will provide academic expertise and statewide coordination for agritourism activities, with integration across SAREP programs (Small Farms Network, Master Food Preservers, Organic Agriculture Institute, and SAREP’s food systems and on-farm conservation programs).

Major Duties and Responsibilities

  • Coordinate a program in support of California’s on-farm agritourism businesses. Topics include policy affecting on-farm commercial activities; marketing strategies; local, state, and national resources for agritourism; business planning; regional food systems; small farm viability; and farmer-to-farmer networking. Constituents include small- to mid-scale family farms operating agritourism businesses; technical assistance provider organizations; local, state, and federal agencies; nonprofit partner organizations; policy makers; and academic partner institutions.
  • Develop and deliver educational programming in a variety of formats to address a range of challenges for agritourism in California and work to create solutions through extension education, policy engagement, and public and private partnerships.
  • Lead a statewide network of agritourism stakeholders and develop and maintain online resources to support agritourism available throughout the state.
  • Lead statewide trainings reaching diverse audiences and develop and deliver presentations at professional meetings and co-author policy communications.
  • Coordinate and lead statewide workshops, webinars, and field days; inform UC SAREP strategic planning efforts related to food systems and economic development; and may supervise grant-funded staff.
  • Manage collaborations for research and education benefiting agritourism operations with ANR academics and partner organizations.
  • Responsible for SAREP’s agritourism programming and will determine program directions with guidance from the Associate Director for Sustainable Food Economies and the UC SAREP Director.
  • Chair the Agricultural and Nature Tourism Workgroup.
  • Generate funds through preparing grant applications to support agritourism activities, both individually and collaboratively. Manage budgets of grants focused on agritourism and coordinate use of funds among partner organizations.
Counties of Responsibility. This position is focused on work across the State of California and will coordinate activities across multiple counties and regions.

Reporting Relationship: The Agritourism Coordinator serves under the administrative and programmatic guidance of the Associate Director for Sustainable Food Economics with additional input from the UC SAREP Director.

Qualifications and Skills Required 
Required Qualifications

Education:  A minimum of a Master's degree in community development, agricultural economics, policy, or a related field is required at the time of appointment.

 Additional Qualifications
  • Experience in agricultural or rural tourism, marketing, and business planning
  • Experience working with small-scale farmers and/or ranchers
  • Experience conducting educational events such as workshops, webinars, or field days
  • Experience in developing curriculum for agritourism or small farm operators
  • Project management skills to manage multiple grant-funded projects and activities
  • Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills to assess needs and adjust program methods
  • Budget oversight and grant management experience
  • Experience in securing and managing federal, state, and other external grants and contracts
  • Experience in strategic planning and evaluating program methods, outcomes, and impacts
  • Experience supervising employees
  • Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed to counties, proof of liability and property damage insurance on vehicle used is required. Must possess valid California Driver’s License to drive a County or University vehicle.
This position has programmatic responsibilities statewide and is not a remote position; the candidate must be available to work onsite at the headquarters location and travel to and be present in other counties with programmatic responsibilities. Specific expectations for maintaining office hours in the geographic area covered by this position will be outlined upon hire by the respective directors and supervisors.

Desired Qualifications
  • Experience working with urban and/or beginning farmers
  • Existing relationships/networks with CA agritourism operators
  • Demonstrated success in developing or coordinating partnerships between academic institutions, public agencies, and nonprofit partner organizations
  • Experience in securing and managing philanthropic funding and building relationships with private donors
  • Skills Required
How to Apply

If interested in this position, please visit: https://recruit.ucanr.edu/ and choose “applicants” (refer to position #24-18)

Closing Date: To ensure full consideration, application packets must be received by December 17, 2024 (open until filled).