Beginning Farmer Training Program Coordinator - Five Points, CA,

Overview

The WSREC Beginning Farmer Training Program Coordinator will lead the design, development, and implementation of a comprehensive beginning farmer training program at the West Side Research and Extension Center (WSREC). This leadership role will coordinate strategic planning, partner engagement, curriculum development, and infrastructure setup. The Coordinator will work collaboratively with UC ANR programs (including SAREP, F3, and WSREC leadership), community-based organizations, and regional partners to develop a multi-year training program that supports farm workers and aspiring farmers in gaining the knowledge, skills, land access, and business tools needed to start independent farm operations.

Responsibilities include conducting feasibility assessments, managing budgets, overseeing bilingual outreach and training delivery, supervising staff, building partnerships for land access and value-added opportunities, and evaluating program impact. This position requires expertise in community or adult education, agricultural systems, program management, and strong bilingual (English/Spanish) communication skills. Travel will be required between WSREC, Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center (KARE) and UCCE Fresno locations, as well as site visits with partner organizations and potential participants.

Shared temporary office space will be made available in Parlier, CA and Fresno, CA.

• Strategic planning and evaluation: Conduct feasibility study for beginning farmer training program at WSREC; conduct site visits and meetings with partner organizations; visit successful programs and explore potential for partnerships; organize and synthesize input from partners and identify existing resources and gaps; outline contributions of ANR programs (e.g. SAREP, F3) and potential partner organizations; coordinate with WSREC station leadership and staff to assess needs for developing land and facilities;
  
  determine budget needs and internal resources available; determine goals for number of participants and acreage cultivated; collaborate with WSREC, SAREP, F3, and ANR senior leadership to finalize a strategic plan for the training program; identify potential funding streams and collaborate on funds development for future program activities.
• Develop and implement curriculum for beginning farmer training program: Incorporate input from focus groups, needs assessments, and conversations with partners; identify topics to include such as production practices, regulatory compliance, and marketing and providers for each topic; identify additional providers needed for topics not already covered; develop plan and time frame for training over an approximately 3-year program; develop metrics for tracking outcomes and impacts and conducting program evaluation;
  
  oversee educational activities on site at WSREC, including coordinating partner activities, communicating with participants, and troubleshooting challenges (Spanish language skills required); gather feedback from cohorts of participants for continuous program improvement (Spanish language skills required).
• Coordinate outreach to farm worker communities: Collaborate with partner organizations and ANR staff on bilingual outreach, education, and communication; organize focus groups to assess interest and priorities of local communities for a beginning farmer training program; coordinate site visits with local partners and beginning farmers to WSREC; recommend directions based on local priorities; bilingual skills in Spanish required for communication with stakeholders.
• Coordinate setup and infrastructure at WSREC: Serve as lead coordinating activities of the Senior Agricultural Technician (or other appropriate title) based at WSREC; work with the Senior Agricultural Technician to determine supplies and infrastructure needed, estimated workload, recharge costs, and other budgetary items; identify and facilitate opportunities to collaborate with ANR researchers on WSREC land; determine projected startup and annual budgets for beginning farmer program operations at WSREC;
  
  develop and implement policies and procedures for beginning farmer program operation.
• Conduct strategic planning for land access and regional economic development: Assess opportunities for purchasing or renting farmland after completion of training program; explore opportunities to leverage funding for land access through incentives programs such as the Multi-Benefit Land Repurposing Program (MLRP) and Land Flex Program; develop relationships with local and regional landowners and farmer organizations to explore land repurposing opportunities; represent beginning farmer training program at professional conferences and stakeholder meetings;
  
  explore resources and partnerships for development and marketing of value-added products and small- to medium-scale food processing; coordinate with partner organizations to develop marketing strategies and storage and transportation logistics for…