[ESSP] Fwd: [Job]Proj.Coord.Farm-to-School/Hartford, CT

[Vanessa Paulman]

>PART-TIME POSITION OPENING:
>PROJECT COORDINATOR SCHOOL MEALS FROM CONNECTICUT FARMS PROJECT   
>
>The Connecticut Department of Agriculture 
>Marketing Bureau, in partnership with
>the  Connecticut Department of Education, has worked over the past five years
>encouraging  school districts to buy locally grown products.  Interest and
>momentum for farm-tocafeteria programming has 
>grown steadily across the state. 
>As of 2004 there were 20  farmers providing 
>fresh fruits and vegetables to more
>than a dozen school districts:  among them: Avon, Berlin, Enfield, Farmington,
>Hartford, Meriden, South Windsor and  West Hartford.   
>
>Through a new grant received from the Federal State Marketing Information 
>Program, the CT Dept. of Agriculture is seeking 
>a part-time Project Coordinator
>to  lead the School Meals from Connecticut Farms 
>project. The principal outcome
>of the  project will be an increase in the direct sale of local farm products
>to schools in  Connecticut.  The project will assess challenges that farmers
>and food service  directors face, address 
>existing barriers, develop a strategy
>to expand farm-toschool business links, and move toward the development of a
>comprehensive, statewide program that will increase the availability of CT
>grown products in school  cafeterias.  This project will permit vital
>groundwork in farm-to-school  programming, building on collaborative work
>between the State Departments of  Agriculture and Education.    
>
>Project administration, funds management, office 
>space, and limited supervision 
>will be provided by the Hartford Food System, 191 Franklin Avenue, Hartford,
>CT.   Direct supervision of the Project Coordinator's work be provided by
>Richard  Macsuga of the Dept. of Agriculture.     
>
>The Project Coordinator will be responsible for completion of all of the
>activities of  the School Meals from Connecticut Farms project, which will
>include the following  but are not considered all-inclusive and might be
>adjusted as needed:   
>Activity 1 – Summer Farm Tours. Schedule and coordinate 2-4 farm tours to take
>food  service directors on a tour of area farms to meet local growers and
>discuss purchasing  options.   
>
>Activity 2 – Winter Meet-up Event & Farm-to-School Resource Directory.
>Coordinate a  meet-up and related workshops at 
>an operating school cafeteria to
>re-acquaint growers  with school food service sites. In preparation for the
>meet-up, produce a farm-to-school  resource directory that will identify
>willing participants in the program.  
>
>Activity 3 – Develop and Deliver Presentations. Develop 3 distinct
>presentations  regarding farm-to-school programming, one each for children,
>food service staff, and  school administrators/stakeholders.    
>
>Activity 4 – Develop and Produce Promotional Materials for Cafeterias.
>Supervise the  development and production of marketing materials that will be
>on display in  participating schools.  This activity will require the use of
>focus groups to identify a logo  and effective communication messages. 
>
>Activity 5 – Feasibility Study. Conduct an economic feasibility study based on
>formal  data collection and surveys.  The study will focus on the following
>questions:  •  supply and demand,   •  potential agricultural products for
>school food service  •  food processing capacity,   •  applicability of
>regional cooperative models of distribution    •  food service director
>preferences and priorities  •  grower preferences and priorities   
>
>Activity 6 –Produce a 3-year Plan for Farm-to-School in CT  The 3-year plan
>will include  recommendations for funding, 
>initiatives, priorities, and goals.     
>
>Qualifications:  Bachelor's degree preferred.  Strong research, organization
>and communication skills,  both written and verbal.  Basic understanding and
>interest in Connecticut agriculture and  community food systems.  Strong
>interest and or experience working with school  communities. Proficiency in
>Microsoft Office applications, including Access and Power  Point.  The ideal
>candidate will have excellent project management, outreach, and  creative
>skills--as well as--able to work both independently and collaboratively in 
>multiple settings.   
>
>Salary:   This is a part-time salaried position plus benefits, based on a
>minimum of 12 months  work for 3-4 days/week. 
>Salary range: $20,000 - $27,000   
>Start date: November/December 2004    PLEASE SEND RESUME, COVER LETTER, AND 3
>REFERENCES NO LATER  THAN NOVEMBER 19 TH, 2004.     Send resume to:  Jiff
>Martin  Food Policy Director  Hartford Food System  191 Franklin Avenue 
>Hartford, CT  06114
>
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-- 
Vanessa Paulman       
Center for Science Exploration
Hampshire College

phone: (413) 559-5792
fax: (413) 559-5438
Adele Simmons Hall #132

http://ScienceExploration.hampshire.edu