Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) is a 45-year-old California-based membership organization that includes family farmers and other community members passionate about local food, farming, and the environment. CAFF’s mission is to build sustainable food and farming systems through policy advocacy and on-the-ground programs that create more resilient family farms, communities and ecosystems. As a farmer-serving organization, we recognize the historic and lasting inequities in the California food and farming system. We believe farmers of color, and other historically oppressed people should have the opportunity to create and participate in a food and agriculture system that aligns with their needs, values, identities, knowledge systems, and communities. We commit to advancing racial, gender, and environmental justice in our larger systems, as well as in our own workplace. Currently, our programming is focused on four areas: Farm to Market, Policy & Advocacy, Farmer Services, and Ecological Farming. To learn more about CAFF, our history, and our core values, visit https://www.caff.org/about.
Contract Summary
The Organic Project Manager will work within the Farmer Services team at CAFF–a small, collaborative team that supports small-scale family farmers and underserved farmers in navigating the organic certification process. This role involves providing guidance on certification requirements, compliance standards, and recordkeeping practices to ensure successful organic certification and ongoing adherence to the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) crop standard. The contractor will support multiple ongoing projects that involve developing and delivering educational materials, conducting outreach activities and offering one-on-one technical support to small-scale family farmers and underserved farmers in Southern California. Additionally, the position requires planning and facilitating training and farmer-to-farmer learning opportunities. Effective communication, problem-solving and the ability to build trust with farmers are essential. The contractor will also contribute to team meetings, sharing insights and developing strategies to improve technical assistance delivery and program impact. This role is ideal for someone with experience in organic practices and certification, and passionate about supporting farmer-to-farmer learning and equitable access to certification resources.
Description of Services
Farmer Technical Assistance
Provide organic certification and organic marketing technical assistance to farmers in-person and virtually, in English and Spanish (if applicable)
Support development of organic certification resources in collaboration with Farmer Services Regional Leads
Serve as the point of contact for Southern California farmers participating in CAFF’s Organic Transition Grant Program, including managing the farmer cohort independently and ensuring farmers meet their certification goals
Participate in review committee for CAFF’s Organic Transition Grant Program
Co-plan and facilitate 3-5 in-person organic marketing trainings per year
Develop 1-2 podcast episodes per year on organic certification and organic marketing
Collaborate with Farmer Services Regional Leads to plan and facilitate CAFF-wide staff organic training
Outreach
Conduct outreach to local partners and farmers to expand awareness of organic certification resources and foster collaborative support networks
Project Management
If applicable, support with translation and in-person/virtual interpretation when needed
Utilize internal systems and tracking tools to record project progress and technical assistance
Qualifications
Educational and Work Experience
Bachelor’s degree required
At least 2 years proven experience in project management, ideally with a nonprofit organization
Experience working with farmers in organic agriculture, or related fields preferred
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) crop standard, organic certification requirements and organic marketing practices
Strong attention to detail and accuracy
Strong organizational skills with an ability to handle competing demands
Ability to work independently and remotely
Effective written and oral English communication skills are required; Spanish language proficiency is encouraged
Strong facilitation and listening skills
Ability to build trusting relationships with a diverse community of stakeholders
Strong computer skills, including above-average knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, Google Suite, and WordPress or similar
Proficient in project management tools and software (e.g. Asana, Notion, Monday, etc)
Willing and able to maintain strict confidentiality
Physical Abilities and other Requirements
Ability to sit for long periods of time working at a computer
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs
Travel to events/activities on a weekly basis (valid driver's license required)
CAFF’s policy is that all persons are entitled to equal opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, gender, marital status, or sexual orientation. We strongly encourage those from diverse backgrounds and from historically underserved communities to apply.
To submit an application: Interested applicants should submit a short cover letter describing their interest and qualifications for the position and a resume with the subject line “Organic Project Contractor” to jobs@caff.org by Sunday, January 12, 2024. Reference requests will be made further along in the application process.