incubator manager​

 

Incubator Manager for the Central Texas Farm Incubator Collaborative

Part-Time contract with Farmshare Austin

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Starting by Dec 1st, 2024 through September 15th 2027

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The total contract amount is $120,667. 

• Year 1: 50% FTE, $25,417 (approximately 10 months)

• Year 2: 75% FTE, $46,500

• Year 3: 75% FTE, $48,750
   

Farmshare Austin’s mission is to grow a healthy, just, and equitable local food system by increasing community food access and cultivating new farmers.

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About Farmshare:

Located on a 13-acre certified organic farm in Southeastern Travis County, Farmshare Austin cultivates the next generation of farmers and increases community food access. We offer opportunities in a learning community for adults who are interested in launching careers in organic and sustainable farming. 

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Since 2014, we have graduated over 100 adults from our 20-week Farmer Starter beginning farmer training, of whom nearly 80% are working in agriculture or an agriculture-related field. To continue to support new farmers in the start up phase of their business, we are launching the Central Texas Farm Incubator Collaborative (Incubator Collaborative). In partnership with Green Gate Farms and Hope Full Farm, the Incubator Collaborative will provide beginning farmers in the start-up phase of their business with access to land, infrastructure, mentorship, business training and marketing outlets to bridge barriers to starting and sustaining a farm. 

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Over 50 percent of the produce grown on the farm goes directly to our Fresh for Less Mobile Markets and Home Delivery, a weekly, reliable food access resource serving 25 zip codes in the Eastern Crescent of Austin and Travis County.

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Since the Fall of 2016, Farmshare’s food access work has focused on Fresh for Less Mobile Markets and Home Delivery, a partnership with local government that provides a weekly, reliable source of reduced price, farmers’ market quality fresh produce and nutrient-dense grocery items to low-income customers in the Eastern Crescent of Austin and Travis County.

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To learn more about us, explore our website and Incubator Program Guide.

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Contract Summary:

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Farmshare Austin is seeking a highly organized and enthusiastic individual with farming experience and a collaborative mindset to serve as a contract Incubator Manager for the Central Texas Farm Incubator Collaborative. This contract role involves communication between members of the Collaborative and new farmers, meeting facilitation, grant management and reporting. The contractor will work directly with the Education Director to support the launch and management of this new program.

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Essential Contract Elements:

• Support Education Director in all aspects of the management of the Central Texas Incubator Collaborative.​

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Incubator Farmer Recruitment

• Manage the yearly application process each fall.

• Work with Farmshare’s Development Manager, Collaborative members and other organizational partners to market the program to beginning farmers with 2+ years of experience.

• Respond to inquiries about the Incubator Collaborative from prospective applicants.

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Communication Management

• Schedule and facilitate quarterly Incubator Collaborative Planning Meetings.

• Schedule and facilitate quarterly goal-setting meetings with Incubator Farmers and Mentors.

• Work with Evaluation Consultant to administer and collect program evaluations.

• Respond to inquiries from landowners interested in hosting Incubator Farmers.

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Curriculum Management

• Assist the Education Director in scheduling, planning and administering workshops for Incubator Farmers.

• Track Incubator Farmers’ completion of online curriculum.

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Organic Certification Management

• Ensure that all Incubator Farmers are keeping records for Organic Certification. 

• Review Incubator Farmers' records to ensure they are compliant with Organic Certification record keeping requirements.

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Grant Management

• Ensure grant deliverables are being met on a timely basis by all partners and support the Education Director in grant reporting.

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Qualifications and Personal Characteristics:

• Previous experience in sustainable agriculture is required, certified organic production experience is preferred.

• Previous experience with meeting facilitation and/or conflict management is preferred.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to use inclusive and non-violent communication techniques, communicate cordially, professionally and effectively.

• Well-organized with the ability to handle multiple and shifting priorities.

• Flexible and solutions-oriented approach to challenges.

• An understanding of the concepts of institutional and structural racism and bias and their impact on underserved and underrepresented communities.

• Able to comport oneself in a way that always reflects well on the Central Texas Farm Incubator Collaborative.

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Other Requirements:

• Maintain a valid driver’s license

• Have reliable transportation

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Farmshare Austin is an Equal Opportunity Employer that offers positions of varying skill levels and responsibilities that amplify our mission. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels comfortable bringing their full, authentic selves to work. We strongly encourage members of underrepresented communities to apply, including people of color, LGBTQIA+ identified people, people of marginalized genders, people with differing abilities and genetic differences, veterans, and people who speak, read or write a language in addition to English.

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How to Apply:

E-mail resume and cover letter describing your interest and qualifications for this position to michelle@farmshareaustin.org no later than 11/15/2024.