PRIMARY DUTIES

Assist with the identification and communication of structural changes in agricultural production, marketing and finance and the rural economy that could affect producers’ profitability.

• Provide guidance to producers, VFB management and staff, and other organizations on agricultural and rural economic policy development and implementation
• Provide leadership and expertise to producer groups engaged in direct and value-added marketing projects and entrepreneurial and rural development activities
• Motivate diverse clientele pursuing new agricultural enterprises and facilitate development of their proposals whereby producers can aggressively pursue the direct and value-added marketing of agricultural commodities, renewable energy and related niche markets
• Develop presentations to stimulate the participation of private and public technical and financial resources in the development of direct and value-added marketing
• Continuously invite new VFBF memberships during all community engagements. Presentations to groups with non-members should result in new memberships.
• Present educational materials to apprise producers of marketing opportunities that could improve their income and profitability and encourage producer participation
• Provide internal support to VFBF Grain Division by documenting contracts and transactions, up to 10% of time
• Schedule and regularly engage in client interactions in-person, by phone, and through email
• Research, collect, verify, and analyze data from both industry and client information to develop policy reports, grants and other written proposals
• Prepare or modify business plans, feasibility studies, marketing plans, grant applications, and other documents
• Illustrate technical data graphically and translate findings into written text
• Prepare social media content across a variety of platforms including Facebook and Instagram related to agricultural production

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Represent Virginia Farm Bureau at a wide variety of industry outreach events including but not limited to: Virginia Cotton Conference, Virginia Farm Show, Virginia Ag Expo, Virginia Association of Biological Farmers, Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Conference, Ag Trade Conference, etc.

· Serve as internal staff support for VFBF presence at the State Fair of Virginia, including staffing the VFBF exhibit at least five (5) shifts during the State Fair

· Assist ADI staff in supporting Virginia Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Women’s Leadership Programs by attending annual conferences and semi-annual Expos

· Represent ADI, VFBF Grain Division, and Virginia FAIRS at a minimum of six (6) county Farm Bureau annual meetings

• All other duties and projects assigned by the Director of Agriculture, Development and Innovation and/or President required to support the missions of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation and the Va. Foundation for Agriculture, Innovation & Rural Sustainability

MINIMUM EDUCATIONAL/EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS

• College degree or equivalent work experience

· Experience in agriculture commodities/marketing and/or rural development experience

· Up to 30% of time will require travel

MINIMUM SKILL QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of production and marketing of agricultural commodities

· Excellent oral and written communication skills, ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of audiences

• Critical thinker, ability to logically solve problems

· Proficient in Microsoft applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams

· Strong research and analytical skills

• Ability to prioritize, multi-task, and meet strict deadlines
• Proven leadership/management skills
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work both collaboratively with diverse and multi-disciplinary teams and independently with purpose and accuracy in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to maintain producer and client confidentiality

At VA Farm Bureau, we provide an exceptional benefits package, including ongoing job development and support in all roles, paid training and continuing education reimbursement, medical and dental insurance available on your first day, generous employee 401K contribution, excellent Paid Time off (PTO) plan and more!

Virginia Farm Bureau Companies provide equal employment opportunity in all aspects of employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, pregnancy, age, disability, orientation or veteran status.

VAFB supports compliance with COVID-19 protocols.