Farm and Food Policy Analyst, Cornucopia Institute
The Cornucopia Institute is seeking a fulltime employee to join its team conducting research and investigations into organic and sustainable food and farming production practices. This individual will also be involved with networking and communicating with farmers, consumers, food processors, retailers, organic certifiers and other NGOs. A heartfelt passion for protecting the environment, the good food movement, humane livestock husbandry and social/economic justice for family farmers is imperative.
The Cornucopia Institute is a farm policy research group focusing on research and education. It has become one of the most preeminent and aggressive organic and sustainable food and farming watchdogs. We seek to protect the integrity of the organic food label from governmental regulatory indifference as well as from agribusinesses cutting corners so as to profiteer from unethical and questionable food and agricultural practices.
Primary responsibilities for this position include:
* Performing investigative projects under the direction of senior Cornucopia staff.
* Developing documents and reports on investigative projects.
* Interacting with farmers, corporate officials, retailers, and the media.
* Providing materials for promulgating news releases and for posting on Cornucopia’s web page, in Cornucopia’s newsletter, and through its social media outreach.
* Attending relevant conferences and meetings (governmental, agricultural, trade shows, networking with other NGOs, etc.).
The ideal candidate would also possess experience working in a corporate or nonprofit environment with a skill set including:
* Highest degree of personal and professional ethics.
* Understanding of sustainable agriculture and organic food and farming issues.
* Commitment to the mission of The Cornucopia Institute.
* Self-starter and ability to work independently.
* Strong oral and written communication skills.
* Ability to interact effectively with volunteers, Cornucopia members (farmers and other stakeholders), staff, and the general public.
* Superior work ethic and careful attention to detail.
* Competency with MS software, including Word and Excel.
* Internet research and communication skills.
Compensation:
Commensurate with experience with competitive benefit package. Please include salary history and expectations.
Worksite:
The Cornucopia Institute is formally based in Cornucopia, Wisconsin but is “virtually officed,” and thus has no central office. We currently have six full and part-time staff members, with up to four additional staff members joining our growing organization during 2012.
The Farm and Food Policy Analyst is expected to provide his or her own worksite. Because of this, work with Cornucopia is possible anywhere in the U.S.; however, preference may be given to individuals residing in, or relocating to, the Upper Midwest so as to facilitate periodic face-to-face meetings.
Several core-staff and contractors are located in or near Vernon County, Wisconsin (home to more organic farmers than any county in the US). Candidates open to relocation might find this gorgeous and rugged environment, and its unique agrarian community, a wonderful option.
How to contact The Cornucopia Institute:
If you have an interest in exploring the opportunity to merge your background and skills with the chance to fight for something you believe in, please forward a letter of inquiry, resume, and salary history to: cultivate@cornucopia.org.
Cornucopia is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable state and federal law.
The Cornucopia Institute is engaged in educational activities supporting the ecological principles and economic wisdom underlying sustainable and organic agriculture. Through research and investigations on agricultural and food issues, The Cornucopia Institute provides needed information to family farmers, consumers, stakeholders involved in the good food movement, and the media.
Deadline: Sunday, July 22, 2012
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