Farmer Advocate
Are you an intrepid researcher and a skilled synthesizer of complex information who loves to share what you learn to empower community members? Do you believe in the power of urban farmers to increase food sovereignty, help heal our environment, and increase the health, wealth and cohesion of our communities? Are you both eager to speak truth to power and ready to work with government agencies to make incremental change? Are you interested in racial equity, community education, food sovereignty and/or urban agriculture work?
If so, we’d love to hear from you!
Farm School NYC (FSNYC) is hiring for a grant-funded, full-time Advocacy Lead position to research federal, state and local policies and programs that impact urban agriculture, share this knowledge with local farmers, gather farmer input, and advocate for change. This position is fully funded by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) and private funders through December 2023 and 75% funded through December 2025. FSNYC intends to raise funds to ensure this position is permanent and fully funded through 2025 and beyond.
Summary of Responsibilities:
Research and Policy Analysis - 30%
Research the coordination and effectiveness of federal, state and local government programs, services and initiatives that impact urban agriculturalists in New York City, including the Farm Bill, the Justice 40 Initiative and other initiatives.
Work with the New York State Farm Service Agency Outreach Coordinator, NYC FSA Urban County Committee, NYC Urban County Executive Director and USDA local partners to better understand the intricacies of their existing programs.
Network Weaving / Organizing - 30%
Support FSNYC staff in integrating policy and advocacy knowledge into existing courses and public offerings.
Partner with FSNYC staff and consultants to inform messaging & campaign strategy to raise awareness of resources for urban farmers.
Support FSNYC staff in recruiting a Farm School NYC Alumni Advisory Council to inform the overall project, by sharing assets and needs, vetting approaches and assisting with outreach.
Work with alumni / community members to implement Farm Bill-related campaigns.
Advocacy - 25%
Work with NYC-based local, state and federal officials focused on urban agriculture to encourage transparency, accountability and equity for underserved farmers.
Engage with government officials by preparing testimony and meeting with officials and staff.
Represent FSNYC at key policy and advocacy coalitions and meetings and inform/include staff in decisions. Meetings might include:
NYS Agriculture & Markets Diversity and Racial Equity Workgroup
NYC Food Policy Alliance meetings
NYC Food Policy Council Planning Committee
Administration - 15%
Attend weekly team and public programs meetings, biweekly communications meetings
Support FSNYC organizational health and do basic administrative tasks
Required Skills:
Strong political, racial, class, and gender analysis of food, labor, capital and climate justice and Black and Indigenous people of color-led liberation
Demonstrated ability to compile, understand, summarize and simplify complex data
Enthusiasm for systemic change through policy
At least 2 years of working with urban farms/ land stewards, experience grassroots organizing or advocacy
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Optimistic and self-motivated
Flexible schedule; weekday evenings and Saturdays sometimes required
Willingness and ability to work remotely based in NYC metro area
Ability to multitask while working independently and with a team
Recommended Skills:
Experience with and/or training in community organizing
Experience in legislative policy analysis
Familiarity with Google apps
Compensation and Benefits
This is a full-time opportunity. The salary range for this position is $50,000 - $60,000. Full-time employees receive 320 hours of paid time off (combined sick, vacation, holidays) per year. Benefits include healthcare, dental and vision as well as Workers Compensation, NewYork State disability and Paid Family Leave (PFL) benefits.
To Apply
Complete our Advocate Application Form, where you can upload your resume and answer several prompts.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The ideal start date for a candidate is May 2023, and the position will remain open until an inspiring candidate is hired. We hope you’re excited about joining our team!
About Farm School NYC
Farm School NYC is a collaborative project created by individuals and organizations involved in NYC’s greening, botanical and agriculture work. Our mission is to train NYC residents in urban agriculture, in order to build self-reliant communities and inspire positive local action around food access and social, economic, and racial justice issues. Farm School NYC offers urban agriculture training through a certificate program and a wide range of individual courses. Our courses focus on topics from social justice issues, to urban planting techniques, to grassroots community organizing. Through engaging, place-based education, Farm School classes cultivate future leaders in NYC's food justice movement.
For further information, please visit our website at farmschoolnyc.org.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Farm School NYC is committed to creating a workplace that respects and values diversity of cultural, ethnic and experiential backgrounds. People of color, differently-abled people, and LGBTQ people are strongly encouraged to apply.