Coalfield Development’s Agriculture Program, Refresh Appalachia is focused on developing, shaping, and supporting the regenerative and sustainable agriculture sector in Central Appalachia. We do this through various initiatives and projects. This position would be focused on supporting the Food Hub aspect of our work which primarily functions under a collaborative project called the Supporting Appalachia Initiative. This initiative was started as the Central Appalachian Food Enterprise Corridor and involves multiple partners across Central Appalachia that work to help local agriculture businesses access more markets and expand their operations. In addition, this collaborative works to solve complex food systems problems, leverage investment for local agriculture and develop new relationships.

• Provide technical assistance to farmers through workshops, one-on-one direct assistance, and online resources on:
  • Best practices for wholesale readiness to meet buyer and market specifications.
  • Strategies for scaling up production.
  • Labor management and training initiatives.
  • Expanding sales through a diverse local market approach.
  • Online marketing and social media development.
  • Business planning, financial recordkeeping, benchmarking, and crop budget development.
• Identifying existing and new market outlets for farmers and developing resources farmers can utilize for market expansion.
• Networking with food system professionals to enhance small farms’ access to food distribution systems within Central Appalachia and in collaboration with partners under the Supporting Appalachia Initiative
• Identify resources for agricultural producers and food business and make connections between them including Coalfields Agriculture SEED partners.
• Work with producers focused on value added production within the Kanawha Valley to build their capacity in order to expand their operations and utilize the LIFT center when it is operational.
• Work with the Senior Director of Agriculture to provide project oversight of the Development of the LIFT center in Charleston WV
• Assist workforce development sites with production and project planning as directed.

  
  GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

• Work with the Senior Director of Agriculture to develop annual work plans that support Coalfields mission, goals, and strategic plan.
• Assist with programmatic monitoring to ensure compliance, progress towards objectives and expected results, and work plan and budget adherence.
• Assist with programmatic planning, grant writing, evaluation, and reporting to support and expand regional agriculture work.
• Increase recognition of and engagement with our mission, programs, and impact by attending events and related meetings
• Coordinate and assist with implementation of grant programs