Farmer Outreach Specialist - PittsburghMission: Cultivating environmentally sound, economically viable, community-focused farms and food systemsPosition overview: Do you have experience in urban farming and a passion for growing food system equity? We're seeking a Farmer Outreach Specialist with proficiency in Spanish and English to support our outreach work with farmers who have historically been underserved by USDA, including farmers of color and veteran farmers. The Specialist will use Pasa's community-based approach to learn about the barriers that marginalized producers face through listening sessions, affinity groups, and personal relationship building. The Specialist will work to share feedback with USDA on how to make resources more relevant and accessible, and will support growers directly by connecting them with training, resources, and with one another.The Farmer Outreach Specialist will focus these efforts in the Pittsburgh area and work closely with a team of Farmer Outreach Specialists focused in the greater Harrisburg and Philadelphia areas. The Project Manager for Farmer Outreach will supervise the Specialist.This position entails remote-based work with regular in-person obligations, including participation in field-based events, involvement in speaking engagements, and attendance at 2-3 annual in-person staff retreats. All team members are required to attend our yearly Sustainable Agriculture Conference held each February in Lancaster, PA. Residence within Pennsylvania or within a 150-mile radius of Harrisburg is required unless special permission is granted for Philadelphia or Pittsburgh to serve as the primary work location, in which case employees must reside within a one-hour drive from either city. Convenient access to the Harrisburg office for day trips is highly preferred. Any inquiries regarding these requirements are welcome, and adherence to Pasa's remote employee policies is required for all staff members.Responsibilities
With the Farmer Outreach Project Manager, develop, implement, and report on Pasa's USDA 2501 program grant for farmers who have historically been underserved by USDA programs. According to USDA, this includes “groups whose members have been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice because of their identity,” as well as veteran farmers and limited resource farmers. Farmers in this context includes aspiring farmers, youth and beginning farmers, as well as current farmers, farmworkers, and ranchers.
Make deliberate and intentional community-focused efforts to open pathways for interested historically underserved growers to fully engage with and participate in federal, state, and local programs in unprecedented ways by providing technical assistance.
Build and maintain regional partnerships with urban growers and organizations in the Pittsburgh area.
Facilitate one-on-one engagement and local relationship-building with socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers in and around the Pittsburgh area.
Identify and document grower's needs and barriers.
Coordinate with Pasa's urban agriculture technical assistance staff to provide support and timely, relevant, and accessible information to urban growers in the Pittsburgh area.
Provide outreach, coordination, and technical assistance to urban growers seeking USDA programs and services.
Contribute to the development of Conference and workshop programming that responds to the needs of urban growers in the Pittsburgh area.
Qualifications
Relevant agricultural production and/or technical support experience, urban agriculture experience is preferred
Project management and/or grant management experience
Urban farming/growing, agricultural business, agricultural organization, or regional food systems experience
Commitment to maintaining a supportive, functional, service-oriented workplace.
Passion for Pasa's mission
Commitment to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice
Preferred qualifications
Development and administration of educational programming
Strong professional networks in the urban agriculture community in the Pittsburgh area
Familiarity with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS), Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA), and/or other federal, state, and local programs
Professional working proficiency in Spanish and English
Compensation: This is a full-time position with an annual salary of $55,000.This position is grant funded and will conclude in October 2025.Please read before submitting your application.How to apply: We are committed to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice through our hiring practices. This entails reviewing application materials anonymously (without the applicant's name exposed) to help prevent potential unconscious bias. Our application system will automatically anonymize your materials and personally identifying information. There is no specific action required on your part to anonymize your materials when applying. Click the “Apply” button and submit the information requested (e.g. resume, cover letter, and/or portfolio).Initial interviews will be conducted remotely via Zoom beginning June 12th. The anticipated start date for this position is July 1st.In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.