State Specialist in Ornamental Plants

Title:

State Specialist in Ornamental Plants for Small Producers

Department:
Land Grant Program

Reports to:

Dean, College of Agriculture Community and the Sciences

Classification:
Staff-12 months

Effective Date: TBD

Standard

Work Hours:

37.5 hours per week

Employment Status:
Full-Time

Employment Classification:
Exempt

The State Specialist in Ornamental Plants for Small Producers is a position in the Land Grant Program at Kentucky State University. The position will be a combination of Extension (75%) and applied research (25%) responsibilities. The successful candidate will develop a nationally recognized Extension program for small and minority farms with emphasis on programming concerning marketing and production strategies in ornamental plants for small sale production.

This programming should focus on opportunities in cut flower production and on unique bedding plants and perennial plants that would have marketing potential via farmers markets, on‑farm sales, pop‑up shops, CSA deliveries, and other initiatives. The position will also provide agent training for Extension professionals as well as off‑campus workshops targeted toward stakeholders in ornamental corps for small producers. It will support the creation of demonstration gardens on the Kentucky State University campus as part of an arboretum project, conduct applied research supporting ornamental production for small producers—including cut flower trials—and possibly teach a undergraduate/graduate student course in greenhouse management or ornamental plant production.

• Work cooperatively in ornamental plants for small‑sale production with other state Extension specialists in developing, implementing, and evaluating multi‑disciplinary activities with agent training, and workshops.
• Develop curricula for Extension agents in ornamental plants for small‑sale production.
• Provide statewide leadership in Extension programming in ornamental plants for small and minority farms by designing, implementing, and evaluating educational programs.
• Develop Extension factsheets, informational documents, journal articles, and research new advancement in ornamental plants for small‑sale production.
• Develop virtual educational resources and web‑based Extension programs through social media offerings in ornamental plants for small‑sale production.
• Provide agent training for Extension professionals and workshops for various stakeholder groups in ornamental plants for small‑sale production.
• Develop collaborations with state, federal cooperators, entrepreneurs, and companies to develop ornamental plants for small‑sale production and disseminate opportunities to small‑scale farmers and other stakeholders.
• Participate actively in suitable professional societies, serving on committees and holding office, as well as other society involvement.
• Solicit funding and other resources from public and private agencies to enhance Extension programming.
• Collaborate with colleagues at 1890 institutions, other land grant and non‑land grant institutions, USDA and state agencies, and other professionals to enhance the quality of Extension programming.
• Conduct applied research supporting opportunities in cut flower production and unique bedding plants and perennial plants that would have marketing potential via farmers markets, on‑farm sales, pop‑up shops, CSA deliveries, and other initiatives to small and minority farms.
• Establish methods and plans to promote programs and reach diverse and underrepresented audiences representative of the service area, including Limited English Proficient individuals.
• Potentially develop and teach an undergraduate/graduate student course in ornamental plant production for small sale production.

• Ability to lead and guide technical and professional staff.
• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.
• Advanced ability to write successful grant proposals.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Knowledge and experience in working with limited‑resource and…