Job Title: Plain Community Extension Liaison (Consultant)
Description:
The Ohio State University seeks a Plain Community Liaison Extension Specialist to provide culturally appropriate technical assistance for Amish and Plain producers interested in entering or expanding value-added food, fiber, or fuel markets. Value-added agriculture (VAA) includes a wide range of production and marketing activities such as: organic certification, identity preservation, direct marketing, and processing.
This is 3-year consultant position and is a part of the newly formed Northeast Ohio Agriculture Innovation Center (NEO-AIC) based on the OSU-CFAES Wooster Campus.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Develop relationships with northeast Ohio Amish and Plain farmers interested in exploring or expanding VAA activities.
- Share information about NEO-AIC services at trade shows and events (2-5 per year)
- Offer support services to a minimum of 15 VAA producers through individual (one on one) or group (class/workshop) settings over the course of the three-year project.
- Work together with other members of the NEO-AIC to develop financial, legal, technical, regulatory, and value chain/marketing solutions to meet the needs of Amish and Plain farmers.
- Collect and keep records tracking the number of clients served, services provided, outcomes, and other metrics.
- Participate in person NEO-AIC team meetings on the OSU Wooster Campus twice a month
Required:
- History and experience in the Plain or Amish community
- Understanding and experience with VAA businesses
- Good communication and interpersonal skills
- Requires in-person on Wooster Campus as well as travel to Ohio locations as needed
*Funding available to assist with transportation costs
Application Procedure:
- Please submit a letter describing your interest and experience in the position.
- Letters can be mailed or emailed to:
Dr. Shoshanah Inwood, 132 Williams Hall, 1680 Madison Avenue, Wooster, OH 44691
Email: inwood.2@osu.edu, Phone: 330-263-3790
Questions should be directed to:
The NEO-AIC project is directed by Dr. Shoshanah Inwood, a rural sociologist and faculty member in the School of Environment and Natural Resources. The office will be located on the OSU-CFAES, Wooster
Dr. Shoshanah Inwood
132 Williams Hall
1680 Madison Avenue, Wooster, OH 44691
Email: inwood.2@osu.edu
Phone: 330-263-3790