Food Works is seeking a full time Coordinator of Farmer Training Programs to lead the organization’s farmer facing programming and outreach efforts. The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in strengthening the local food and farming economy of Southern Illinois and knowledge of organic and regenerative farming and/or small farm business management. They will be comfortable facilitating groups at in person events and in virtual environments, and will be invested in building relationships in the farming community.
Download the position description here, and learn more about Food Works at www.fwsoil.org.
Interested applicants can send a resume and letter addressing your interest and qualifications to Jennifer Paulson, Executive Director at jennifer@fwsoil.org. Applications will be reviewed beginning on November 14, 2023, and continue until the position is filled.
| Scholarship applications due Sunday, 11/6 for the 2022-23 Southern Illinois Farm Beginnings!Program begins 11/14/22 |
| We are happy to share that we have full scholarships available for the 2022-2033 Southern Illinois Farm Beginnings program! We’ll have room for 10 beginning farmers and are especially interested in reaching dedicated new or beginning farmers with less than 10 years of farming experience. New farmers who are women, people of color, veterans, and/or LGBTQ are especially encouraged to apply, but we don’t exclude other interested farmers. So if you are thinking that this is the year to move forward with your farm dream or to seek additional support in the small farm world, then we want to hear from you. Applications are due by November 6th, we will have scholarships available, and the application includes a check box for you to indicate that you would like the scholarship. The new program year that should run from November 14th through early July of next year with several breaks throughout the training. Our sessions will be held in-person with the option to participate via zoom. The meetings are usually held on Mondays from 6-8pm. Many of the sessions include a presentation provided by a successful farmer or organization leader with resources/knowledge specific to new farmers needs. We offer to match farmer trainees with an experienced farmer for a 10-hr mentorship.. The topics will cover: |
- exploration of your farm dream
- developing your vision and goals for the farm
- holistic financial management of your farm
- investigation of land and resource access for your farm
- specialty crop planning using a regenerative approach to build soil health
- humane animal husbandry for a diverse farm operation – this includes beekeeping
- and culminates in a holistic farm plan to guide your farm’s development
For more details or to talk about your interest in the 2022-2023 Southern Illinois Farm Beginnings program, please contact Margie Sawicki at margie@fwsoil.org or call 618-407-8033.