Climate and Working Lands Program Director

Organization Summary:

Minnesota Farmers Union is a progressive, grassroots membership organization that supports family farmers and rural development. Drawing on the base values of education, cooperation and legislation, MFU works with individuals at the county, state, national and international level to sustain economically viable family farms, support new farmers, further agricultural education, increase consumer awareness and ensure that the needs and perspectives of family farmers are understood by policymakers.

Job Description:

This senior level position will co-develop and promote farmer-informed solutions for how agriculture can play a greater role in mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change. Specifically, this will mean convening MFU members and other farmers to discuss climate action, advancing consensus policy proposals, and helping bring a farmer voice to conversations about renewable siting, carbon credits, water storage, and a host of other issues related to our changing climate. This staff member will approach this work through the lens of farm economics and rural economic vitality, and it will help establish MFU as a leading organization on climate and working lands.

Responsibilities:

· Establish MFU as leading statewide organization on climate resiliency and working lands.

· Convene MFU members around farmer-led climate solutions, co-develop policy ideas with farmer members, and connect members with opportunities to make their voices heard on climate.

· Serve as member resource for renewable energy policy and issues.

· Travel statewide to meet with and convene MFU members, on-the-ground experts, and others who are working in crop production, soil health, and climate resilience.

· Connect farmers with market opportunities for emerging crops and other climate and soil health practices.

· Meaningfully contribute to coalition work, identifying opportunities to lead and bring farmers voices to convenings on climate.

· Develop partnerships with other organizations to bring members information, funding, and technical support that will help them achieve their goals.

· Maintain relationships with funding organizations

· Lead in submitting grant proposals, reports, and evaluations for climate related grants

· Assist Government Relations Director with monitoring legislative activity related to climate resiliency, on farm renewable energy, ecosystem services, and other issues

· Meaningfully integrate MFU's climate and working lands programming into the rest of the organizations work.

Experience:

· Strong understanding of agriculture, farm economics

· Strong understanding of climate science, renewable energy, soil health, water storage, and other issues related to climate change, graduate research experience preferred

· Demonstrated ability to successfully complete projects with competing priorities, deadlines and demands

· Ability and willingness to build partnerships and sponsorships on behalf of MFU

· Exceptional communication skills, including writing for both general and technical audiences

· Exceptional attention to detail and organization skills, including the ability to maintain records

· Demonstrated ability to work in a team and employ effective internal communication

· History of providing effective customer service via phone, email, and in-person

· Familiarity with MFU policies and programs

· Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite including Excel, Word, Publisher and Outlook

Compensation:

Salary $75,000 to $105, depending on experience. Full time, Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. with flexibility to work evenings and weekends as required, especially during August, September, and November of each year. Office closes at noon on Fridays in the summer. Medical, dental, life, long and short-term disability insurance, 401K, paid vacation and sick leave provided.

To Apply:

Submit a PDF cover letter, resume, and three references to hr@mfu.org. No phone

calls or visits please.