Associate Director for Small Farms

Associate Director for Small Farms - UC Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program (UC SAREP) - Academic Coordinator III (24-01)

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

County Locations : Fresno County, Ventura County, Yolo County

Date Posted : January 21, 2025
Closing Date : March 10, 2025

Job Description : Download

Location Headquarters: This position has statewide responsibilities and may be headquartered at any of the following locations: UC ANR, Davis, CA; Hansen Research and Extension Center, Camarillo, CA; or Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Parlier, CA.

Position Overview

The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for an Associate Director for Small Farms, University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program (UC SAREP) Academic Coordinator III.

Purpose : The UC SAREP Associate Director for Small Farms will provide statewide leadership, coordination, and oversight for small farms outreach, technical assistance, and applied research and extension activities within UC ANR and will direct the UC ANR Small Farms Network, with guidance from the UC SAREP Director. The Associate Director will join a growing team increasing access to resources, research-based extension support, and sustainable economic opportunities for small farms in California. This position will pursue new opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration with multiple SAREP programs to enhance support for small-scale farms across the food supply chain within an expanded statewide program.

UC SAREP is a statewide program of UC ANR with a mission for research and education supporting agriculture and food systems that are economically viable, conserve natural resources and biodiversity, and enhance quality of life and equity in California communities. We envision a farming and food system that supports resilience through diversified production, marketing, and distribution systems; values all food system workers and supports their wellbeing; contributes to the health and vitality of urban, rural and Tribal communities; uses resources in a way that protects the environment in trust for future generations; and reflects the ethnic, linguistic, and cultural diversity of California. UC SAREP includes the UC ANR Small Farms Network, UC Master Food Preservers, and UC Organic Agriculture Institute and works to find synergies and develop interdisciplinary and cross-program collaborations from production to marketing along the food supply chain.

The UC ANR Small Farms Network assists small-scale family farms to thrive economically through extension support, bilingual and culturally relevant training, applied research on small-acreage and emerging specialty crops, and policy engagement. Small Farms Advisors and staff in several multi-county regions of California provide research-based extension support and technical assistance for crop production, regulatory compliance, marketing, and access to resources for environmental and economic resilience, with a focus on diversified farming systems, local and direct marketing, niche and emerging crops, and crops valued by diverse cultural communities. The Small Farms Network has a historic and current commitment to equity and inclusion for underserved and limited-resource farmers and serves as an information hub connecting diverse farming communities to the resources of the University of California.

Administrative and Programmatic Responsibilities:

Statewide Leadership and Strategic Vision:
•  Lead interdisciplinary efforts within UC ANR to support economic viability and environmental sustainability for a diverse clientele of small-scale farmers in California through outreach, extension, applied research, and technical assistance.
•  Provide leadership and oversight to the UC Small Farms Network team implementing multi-county extension and technical assistance for small-scale underserved farmers.
•  Lead strategic planning and visioning efforts to drive innovation and build transformative programs expanding support for small farms in California, in collaboration with the UC SAREP Director.
•  Identify new directions and expand programs based on feedback from diverse stakeholders including farmers, small farms staff and academics, community-based partner organizations, and public agencies.
•  Communicate activities, accomplishments, impacts, and program needs to external stakeholders.
•  Support and enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Small Farms Network and UC SAREP.
Grant Management and Funds Development:
•  Oversee large statewide contracts and grants supporting the Small Farms Network, including coordination and reporting of multi-county efforts, budget oversight, communication with funding agencies on progress, deliverables, and success stories, and evaluation of outcomes and impacts.
•  Collaborate with the UC SAREP Director to develop new sources of funding for the Small Farms Network, including preparing large grant applications, engaging with philanthropic donors, and building relationships with local, state, and federal agencies.
Policy Communication and Engagement:
•  Synthesize research-based information and needs assessments from county-based programs to communicate challenges and opportunities for small farms at a state and national level through engagement with partner organizations, policy makers, state and federal agencies, and other stakeholders.
•  Lead preparation of co-authored peer-reviewed journal articles, conference presentations, and policy papers presenting best practices for supporting small farms, needs and challenges of small farms, and research highlighting crops, production systems, economics, and policy impacts for small farms in California.
•  Engage with policymakers, industry representatives, partner organizations, public agencies, and community leaders and stakeholders to inform local, state, and federal policies relevant to small farms.
•  Represent the UC ANR Small Farms Network on public committees, task forces, and working groups. Program Administration:
•  Coordinate evaluation and reporting of program activities and impacts.
•  Supervise and mentor statewide staff and academic positions within the Small Farms Network.
•  Collaborate with the UC SAREP Director and the Small Farms Program Manager to coordinate team building, capacity-building, and professional development for advisors, academic coordinators, and staff.
•  May serve as a secondary supervisor and contribute to merit and promotion reviews for advisors affiliated with the Small Farms Network, following discussion with the advisor and UC SAREP Director.
Collaboration and Partnerships:
•  Build capacity to support small-scale farms through interdisciplinary collaborations across UC SAREP programs, with UC Cooperative Extension advisors and specialists, and through partnerships with community-based stakeholders.
•  Engage with UC ANR Small Farms Advisors and the Small Farms Workgroup to assess clientele needs, coordinate collaborative grant proposals, and identify resources to support county-based programs.
•  Collaborate with UC ANR community and economic development initiatives to enhance economic development efforts for small farms and food businesses. Counties of Responsibility. This position is focused on work across the state and will coordinate activities across multiple counties and regions. Travel to UC SAREP meetings and field visits to sites conducting program activities is expected.

Reporting Relationship: The Associate Director for Small Farms serves under the administrative and programmatic guidance of the UC SAREP Director.
Qualifications and Skills Required

Education: A minimum of a Master's degree in a discipline of the agricultural sciences (such as horticulture, agronomy, plant science, agroecology, soil science, entomology, plant pathology, or weed science), environmental sciences, agricultural economics, policy, or a related field relevant to small farm agricultural production, management, economic viability, or regulatory compliance is required at the time of appointment.

Additional Requirements
•  Demonstrated program leadership in extension or in a related field such as policy, community development, or adult education.
•  Demonstrated subject matter expertise in an academic discipline relevant to agricultural production, economics, or policy with applicability to small farms.
•  Demonstrated commitment to developing program activities based on priorities expressed by diverse communities of stakeholders.
•  Ability to build, support, and lead diverse teams and promote a culture of inclusivity and belonging.
•  Track record of fundraising through extramural funding and/or development opportunities.
•  Effective project management skills and ability to evaluate program impacts.
•  Strategic planning and visioning skills to determine new directions for program activities, funding sources, and interdisciplinary collaborations.
•  Administrative experience including managing contract and grant budgets, reporting and evaluation, and understanding and following institutional policies.
•  Supervisory experience including performance management, conflict resolution, and team building skills click apply for full job details