Thursday, April 25, 2024

National Young Farmers Coalition Development Associate

The National Young Farmers Coalition (Young Farmers) represents, mobilizes, and engages young farmers to ensure their success. Since our founding in 2010, we have grown our grassroots network to over 200,000 individuals and partner organizations. We give young farmers tools to become leaders in their communities, building an effective political voice at the local, state, and national level. Together, we tackle the most critical structural and economic barriers that prevent motivated young people from starting and growing successful farm businesses—including access to affordable farmland, student debt, climate change, healthcare, racial inequities, and more. We have won historic investments in beginning farmer training, outreach to farmers of color, and farmland conservation. Our advocacy for a USDA Farm Service Agency microloan resulted in a loan program in every county that has served more than 30,000 farmers. 


Young Farmers seeks a Development Associate to support the Development team in administering and managing fundraising processes. You will help steward our fundraising operations by maintaining the Development calendar, donation portal, donor database, and project management tools (Classy, Salesforce, and Asana). Your contributions to our direct fundraising will include supporting prospecting research and processes, engaging a portfolio of mid-level donors, and maintaining peer-to-peer campaigns. Finally, you will provide direct support to our team’s fundraising efforts by logging all revenue and ensuring donor data is accurate, compiling organizational data for grant submissions and reports, creating templates, coordinating submissions, monitoring emails, and liaising with operations staff. 


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Disclaimer: Part-time and full-time positions require legal authorization to work in the United States.


You will receive an email confirmation when your application has been submitted and no further action is needed. The team will reach out to you directly if your application is selected to move forward in the process. Email jobs@youngfarmers.org with any questions.



In alignment with our commitment to racial equity, the right candidate for this role will be excited at the challenge of adopting community-centered fundraising practices and developing systems for accompliceship and accountability. 


Title: Development Associate

Salary: $57,680 plus benefits

Reports to: Associate Development Director

Status: Full Time

Location: Remote, U.S. Based Home Office– Applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S.

Start date: July 2024


Responsibilities:


Development Support (40%)


  • Supports the Development Team in creating templates and initial drafts for grant proposals and reporting, and compiling data from campaigns teams.

  • Supports the Development Team in compiling and submitting administrative data for external reports and platforms. (i.e. Guidestar profile)

  • Support the prospecting process to research new funders and assign outreach tasks as directed.

  • Provide administrative support to the Development team including scheduling meetings, helping prepare for meetings (including creating meeting briefing documents), updating salesforce with notes and interactions, drafting correspondence, and preparing documents.

  • Supports fiscally sponsored chapters with their fundraising process, including coordinating grant submission support with the National Organizing team and assisting with chapter fundraising page logistics as needed.

  • Monitors the donorsupport@youngfarmers.org email and directs inquiries as needed.

  • Manages our donation platform, Classy, and coordinates with the Operations team and contractors for improvements and changes.

  • Maintains development calendar and leads on communicating monthly development activities to staff.


Data and Grants Management (30%)

  • Logs revenue including ACH and checks in Salesforce and processes acknowledgment letters, creates weekly contribution reports, and monthly revenue reports for milestone tracking.

  • Generate customized lists for email engagement, mailings, and other outreach.

  • Ensure the accuracy of data and performs routine data assessments and reporting for analysis and respond to inquiries from program staff.

  • Inputs current and prospective grants and funder tasks and deliverables using salesforce and project management system (Asana) including grant information, reporting requirements, and funder engagement.

  • Supports government grant reporting process (quarterly, annually) in coordination with the Grants Manager and program teams. 


Individual Giving Support (18%)


  • Support individual giving campaigns through drafting donor communications and direct donor engagement.

  • Assist Associate Development Director in planning and execution of fundraising events and peer-to-peer individual giving campaigns.

  • Maintains outreach, engagement, and stewardship of a portfolio of donors giving up to $1,000/year.

  • Supports peer-to-peer giving outreach and engagement and oversees peer-to-peer fundraising pages.


Operations Liaisons (2%)

  • Ensure appropriate use of all staff software on the team.

  • Participate in quarterly Operations Liaisons meetings as a representative for the team.

  • Submit and manage the status of operations support requests on behalf of your team.


General Staff Responsibilities (10%)

  • Serve as a contributing team member who willingly supports organizational efforts in alignment with the strategic plan and models the organizational values.

  • All staff admin: individually complete time cards and expense reports on time, attend weekly staff calls, supervisory meetings, team meetings, staff retreats, and other staff social spaces, and participate in providing feedback and implementation of annual processes. 

 

Qualifications


This could be the right position for you if you can demonstrate the following:

  • A commitment to social justice and the ability to apply your racial equity analysis and intersectional approach to fundraising processes and donor engagement.

  • Ability to multi-task, prioritize, stay organized, and complete work within due dates. 

  • Ability to self-start and proactively manage routine job processes. 

  • Ability to support a team with fundraising administration and process-related tasks.

  • Ability to work in collaboration with other teams.

  • Experience using customer relationship management databases such as Salesforce.

  • Experience with logging, compiling, and ensuring the accuracy of data.


The ideal candidate may also have: 

  • Experience providing fundraising process support to a non-profit organization.

  • Experience working fully remotely. 

  • Ability to troubleshoot ad hoc technology-related issues.

  • Experience with planning and/or executing peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns.

  • Experience managing grants including government and foundation grants.

  • Experience working on a farm or ranch and/or rooted in the agricultural community.

  • Experience with donor outreach and engagement.

  • Knowledge of community-centered fundraising principles.

  • The ability to participate in fostering a warm and welcoming remote work environment that values honesty, creativity, humor, justice, and responsiveness.


Schedule and Compensation

  • Regular full-time exempt employees work 40 hours per week including a one (1) hour paid lunch break each day. 

  • The current salary for this role is $57,680 in accordance with our 2024 Salary Guidelines

  • Young Farmers offers a competitive benefits package, health, vision and dental insurance, generous paid time off, paid sick days, personal days, paid family leave, and retirement matching.   

 

How to Apply


Apply by 9am (ET) / 6am (PT) on May 28, 2024 using the form at www.youngfarmers.org/about/jobs/ to be considered for an interview. Applications without both a cover letter and resume will be considered incomplete. 


 The job post is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing every activity, duty or responsibility that is required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change slightly or be added depending on the needs of the organization.

Old Glory Nursery Position

Old Glory Wholesale Nursery, LLC is now accepting applications for our Nursery Driver position. This position is an exciting opportunity to join our exceptional team in a fast paced growing company with great benefits and competitive compensation. The Nursery Driver will contribute in many aspects of the company as we believe that every team member has the ability to and should participate in the process.


NON-CDL NURSERY DRIVER

The focus of the Nursery Driver will be:

● Serving as the face of Old Glory to our delivery based customers

● Safely operating company vehicles efficiently

● Assisting customers in the unloading of material ensuring proper counts are met

● Recording mileage weekly so that the fleet can be properly maintained

● Performing basic maintenance checks on fleet vehicles daily

● Picking up plants from partner farms insuring proper quality and size are met

● Assisting the Nursery Manager with essential tasks when not on the road

The ideal candidate will:

● Operate Non-CDL delivery trucks in a safe and efficient manner

● Have worked in a nursery or as a landscaper for more than 2 years

● Understand what it means to be a team player

● Find motivation in focusing on the needs of customers

● Show urgency in completing time sensitive tasks

● Strive for excellence

● Share ideas for improvement and growth

The selected candidate will receive:

● Competitive Compensation

● Platinum Health Care Plan

● Incentives and Bonuses

● Retirement Plan

● Paid Time Off Including Holidays

● Uniforms

● Cellular Phone

● Weekday Schedule with Flexible Hours

● Discounts on Plant Material

Job applications are available for download on our website. To apply for this position email your application or resume to julia@oldglorywholesalenursery.com or apply in person.


OLD GLORY WHOLESALE NURSERY, LLC.


9502 Old Court Road

Windsor Mill MD 21244

410-701-9262


www.oldglorywholesalenursery.com

Montgomery County Farm Bureau Scholarship

The Montgomery County Farm Bureau with contributions from the Friends of Montgomery County Farm Bureau realizes the importance of supporting the next generation in order to keep agriculture viable and to keep family farms and agriculture related businesses in the state of Maryland. To this purpose, the Montgomery County Farm Bureau is pleased to offer academic scholarships for the 2024-2025 year. The Friends of Montgomery County Farm Bureau would like to recognize and thank the Edward Byrd Foundation as the major supporter of the scholarships offered.

 

These scholarships are designed to assist students who have demonstrated character, scholarship, and talent and who are interested in pursuing an education and eventual career in the Maryland agricultural, plant related industries, and/or Maryland education.

 

Eligible applicants must be a resident of Montgomery County, Maryland; major in an agricultural field, and have family or individual or family/guardian membership in Montgomery County Farm Bureau; be enrolled or accepted in an undergraduate or graduate curriculum at a vocational, two-year, or four-year institution (student must carry a full-time course load during the semesters the scholarship is granted); demonstrate an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher; receive one excellent letter of recommendation from employers, instructors, or industry contacts; provide response to an essay prompt of 500 words or less. If selected, applicants must attend the Montgomery County Farm Bureau June picnic on Sunday, June 9th at 4 pm. If unable to attend the June picnic, recipients must attend a MCFB Board of Directors meeting.

 

Please contact MCFB Secretary at 301-467-1419 or by email at mcfarmbureausecretary@gmail.com to obtain an application. The completed application and all required documentation must be submitted by Friday, May 17, 2024. Applicants will be notified of the results by email.

 

Montgomery County Farm Bureau, with a membership of over 3,000 family members, is part of the Maryland Farm Bureau, a private, non-profit membership organization. The Maryland Farm Bureau mission is to promote and protect Maryland agriculture and rural life. Its strength comes from the active participation of over 37,000 member families that belong to the state’s 23 county Farm Bureaus. For more information, visit www.mdfarmbureau.com/montgomery

Urban Ag Education Specialist - US Botanic Garden, Washington DC

 



The USBG is a leading public garden and museum that inspires people to appreciate, study, and conserve plants to enrich society locally and globally. Comprised of four divisions, the USBG provides educational experiences to 1 million visitors annually, presents horticultural displays and exhibits, strives to break down barriers to inclusion, and advances the exchange of ideas and information through national and global partnerships and initiatives. Learn more: U.S. Botanic Garden.

 The Urban Agriculture Education Specialist with emphasis on urban agriculture and leads educational programs that fulfill the USBG's mission. The incumbent is responsible for developing partnerships and educational programs and conducting outreach in urban agriculture.

Partnerships

  • Identifies, develops, and oversees urban agriculture partnerships between the AOC/USBG and public gardens and other institutions nationwide.
  • Works with USBG colleagues to identify potential partners and develop new collaborative programs aimed at providing educational and job training experiences in urban agriculture, food production and preparation, and related areas in urban communities.
  • Works with partnerships program coordinator to provide management and oversight of programs and partnerships, including jointly developing work plans, budgets and deliverables, and tracking program progress.

Educational Programs

  • Develops, writes, facilitates, and evaluates educational programs that fulfill the mission of the USBG, focusing on agriculture production and sustainable food systems to improve access to healthy foods and strengthen urban resilience.
  • Provides farm-based learning programs and training in best gardening and food crop growing practices.
  • Develops and offers formal and informal educational programs and hands-on activities for classroom, greenhouses, and outdoor gardens, through a range of formats, including workshops, classes, discovery carts and festivals.
  • Assists with volunteer training, creates content for interpretive signs and coordinates materials preparation and classroom set-up.

External Relations

  • Works to advance urban agriculture by developing relationships and new engagement opportunities.
  • Identifies and builds relationships with a diversity of relevant stakeholders in agriculture and food systems locally.
  • Engages with other public gardens and institutions nationwide that have or are developing urban agriculture programs. 

Plant Cultivation

  • As part of an educational program, assists with design and installation of agricultural and horticultural demonstrations in an urban setting and provides for their maintenance and upkeep through activities like planting, weeding, watering, fertilizing and related tasks.
  • Performs complex plant cultivation tasks and may utilize a variety of equipment including but not limited to hand and power-operated garden tools, such as spreaders, edgers, hedge trimmers, pruning shears, and sprayers.

 

You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Open Until: Thursday, May 2, 2024 - 12:00
Salary: $68,405.00 - $107,590.00 PA
Pay scale & grade: GS 09 – 11

 

For more information and to apply visit the link

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Meet Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks

 Monday, April 29 11:45am-12:45pm

1123 Jull Hall
Free Chick-Fil-A! 
No RSVP Required

All AGNR students are welcome to this lunchtime meet-and-greet with Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks. Join us for free food and drinks, professional networking, and the chance to ask questions of Secretary Atticks. 

Kevin Atticks was appointed Acting Secretary of Agriculture on Jan. 18, 2023 and sworn in as Secretary on March 2, 2023. Prior to his appointment, Atticks was CEO (and founder) of Grow & Fortify, a company supporting value-added agricultural organizations and the businesses they represent. Grow & Fortify published the first assessment of the state’s value-added agricultural industry, illustrating the expansive impact generated by this sector, which includes wineries, creameries, meat processing, agritourism, equine and dozens of other industry segments. 

Atticks was also the Executive Director of the Maryland Wineries Association, Brewers Association of Maryland and the Maryland Distillers Guild, and served as the President of the Maryland Agricultural Resource Council, and the Chair of the WineAmerica State & Regional Associations Advisory Council.

Atticks formerly served on the University of Maryland College of Agriculture's Global Leadership Council, the board of Future Harvest and the board of the Maryland Tourism Coalition.

Originally from Bowie, Maryland, Atticks graduated with a journalism degree from Loyola University Maryland. Shortly thereafter, Atticks received a master's degree from the University of Colorado in Boulder, CO. He later earned his doctorate in communications design from University of Baltimore. He holds a faculty position at Loyola University Maryland.


BioBlitz



Our goal is to count as many different living species of plants, insects and animals as possible, in the time allowed.  To do this you will be using the iNaturalist App. It's as simple as taking a photo. If you are not familiar with the App we recommend you download it and check it out in advance.  You can also use the Merlin App to identify birds by their song.

To register, click this link

Monday, April 22, 2024

USDA Forest Service: Building A Greener Tomorrow Together

 


The USDA Forest Service is reaching out to potential job seekers who are college students and early-career applicants to discuss the different areas of the Forest Service’s work. This virtual engagement will be Thursday, April 25, 2024 from 5:30-7:30 pm ET and will consist of 3 different panels.
1. Climate Change & Environmental Stewardship (facilitator, Saad Syed) 2. Social Impact & Community Relations (Tribal Nations, Urban Forestry) (facilitator, Gretchen (Greta) Smith) 3. Environmental Planning (facilitator, Jeff Gardner) Please join us for this exciting and informative event to meet and hear from our professionals and scientists about all the incredible opportunities your USDA Forest Service has to offer for your career.

Learn more and register to attend this virtual event here!

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Graduation Celebrations!

Join the AGNR Academic Programs Office as we celebrate all things graduation! Stop in to pick up your tickets for the AGNR Commencement Ceremony, check out our photo/video booth, snap a cap & gown photo (regalia provided), enjoy some celebratory refreshments, and snag your graduation gift from the AGNR Alumni Network!


  • Thursday, May 2nd
    • 10am - 2pm
    • Pizza

  • Friday, May 3rd
    • 10am-2pm
    • Ice Cream Sundaes

  • Monday, May 6th
    • 12pm-4pm
    • Mocktails

  • Tuesday, May 7th
    • 12pm-4pm
    • Cupcakes & Cookies

Jim Clayton Turfgrass Scholarship

 For ore information, please open this document:

AFA Crop Institute!

 AFA Logo.png

The Agriculture Future of America Leader Institutes provide undergraduate college students specialized professional development opportunities that focus on professional and peer networking, exclusive company tours, and panels and discussions on relevant industry topics. 

Immerse yourself in the world of crop science and cultivate essential leadership skills at the AFA 2024 Crop Science InstituteDue to the generosity of AFA partners, they have opened up a limited number of spots and are inviting more applications.

 

🗓️ Event Details:
Date: July 21-23, 2024
Location: St. Louis, Missouri

Once selected to attend an Institute, the only cost to the student is travel. AFA and its partners cover hotel, meals and event material costs. If the cost of travel to St Louis is prohibitive, please consider applying for financial assistance through the Experiential Learning Fund. More information can be found on our Fund Your Education page.  


Application Tips:

  1. Start here! If you have not applied to an AFA program, you will be prompted to create an account before applying. 
  2. Select the '2024 AFA Summer Leader Institutes' application. 
  3. Fill this application out in its entirety.  
  4. Submit your application once complete!

Applications are due April 24!

Monday, April 15, 2024

Maryland Administrator Pathways

 Maryland Administrator Pathways (MAP) is a unique program that pairs students with an on-campus unit and exposes them to the inner workings of the university. This paid internship is designed for students with an interest in a career in higher education administration and will offer rehire potential and post-graduation employment opportunities!


Through this program, you will learn how the university operates on a day-to-day basis, including how resources are allocated, how decisions are made, and how different departments work together to achieve common goals. You will have the opportunity to interface with staff from a range of departments, learn about multiple functional areas of the university, and receive training and professional development for career readiness! 


As a participant in the MAP program, you will benefit from:


  • One-on-one mentorship from experienced administrators on campus

  • The opportunity to work on projects and initiatives that align with your interests and career goals.

  • Monthly professional development workshops and networking events with other MAP interns and university staff.

  • The chance to build relationships with key staff on campus and a cohort of like-minded peers, while gaining exposure to different areas of the university.


If you are interested in applying for the MAP program, please click here to learn more and apply! The deadline to apply is April 30, 2024.


If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the program, please don't hesitate to contact us at MAPintern@umd.edu.


I hope you will consider this incredible opportunity to gain valuable experience and make a meaningful contribution to our university. Apply now to MAP your path to excellence in higher education administration!