Local Foods Coordinator

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Division of Agriculture of the University of Arkansas

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is a statewide campus, with faculty based on University campuses, at Research and Extension Centers and in every Arkansas county. It consists of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) and the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service (CES), and is home to more than 1400 employees. The Division was established in 1959 and is headed by the Vice-President for Agriculture.

The Division headquarters is located in Little Rock with the rest of the University of Arkansas System Administration. As an employer, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance.

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Horticulture
* Associate Professor

uada.edu

The Local Foods Program Associate will support the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program by strengthening connections among local food producers, aggregators, distributors, and buyers to enhance the regional food supply chain. This position will focus on developing partnerships and coordinating sourcing efforts to supply local food into regional food hubs and institutional markets.

The Program Associate will work within the Department of Horticulture as part of the Local, Regional, and Safe Foods (LRSF) Team, under the direction of Dr. Amanda Philyaw Perez, in collaboration with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, and other key partners and organizations supporting the Arkansas food system.

• Coordinate efforts among farmers, food businesses, food hubs, and institutional buyers to strengthen local and regional supply chains.
• Support farmers and food businesses in utilizing RFSI funds for equipment, transportation, or infrastructure that enhances aggregation and distribution capacity.
• Work with LRSF and partner organizations to identify sourcing opportunities for food hubs and other local food access points.
• Assist in developing educational and technical assistance resources focused on business development, supply chain management, and local food aggregation.
• Provide training, collaboration, and support to county extension agents and community partners involved in local food system development.
• Coordinate site visits, technical assistance requests, and stakeholder meetings (in-person and virtual).
• Track and evaluate program activities, data collection, and reporting requirements in collaboration with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture and USDA.

• Develop and implement outreach and education strategies to increase awareness of local food systems, regional food hubs, and the benefits of sourcing locally.
• Create and distribute…