Senior Extension Associate Horticulture

TITLE: Senior Extension Associate-Horticulture (Controlled Environment Growing) 

LOCATION: West Louisville Extension Office 

DEPARTMENT: Community Resource Development (CRD) 

REPORTS TO: Program Leader in Community Resource Development  

CLASSIFICATION: Staff-12 months 

EFFECTIVE DATE: TBD 

STANDARD WORK HOURS: 37.5 hours per week 

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-Time  

EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Exempt  

JOB SUMMARY:  

The Extension Associate in Horticulture for Container Farming will be responsible for providing expertise and support to individuals, organizations, and communities interested in implementing and optimizing container farming practices. This role involves offering guidance, conducting research, delivering educational programs, and promoting sustainable and efficient container farming techniques. The Extension Horticulturist will serve as a valuable resource to enhance productivity, improve crop quality, and address challenges related to container farming. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:  

• Lead Learning Experiences and Workshops
• Provide expert advice and guidance to individuals, organizations, and communities interested in container farming. 
• Conduct site visits and assessments to evaluate existing container farming systems and provide recommendations for improvement. 
• Assist in the planning, design, and setup of container farms, considering factors such as crop selection, environmental conditions, and resource management. 
• Create or research best practices into educational materials that extension staff may implement or utilize for programming. 
• Develop and deliver educational programs, workshops, and training sessions on container farming techniques, best practices, and crop management. 
• Create educational materials, including manuals, guides, and online resources, to support the learning and development of container farmers. 
• Collaborate with educational institutions, agricultural organizations, and community groups to promote container farming education and awareness. 
• Stay updated with the latest advancements in container farming technologies, equipment, and crop varieties. 
• Conduct research and experiments to evaluate the performance and productivity of different crops in container farming systems. 
• Collaborate with research institutions and participate in industry conferences to contribute to the advancement of container farming knowledge. 
• Identify and address challenges and issues faced by container farmers, such as pest management, nutrient deficiencies, and crop diseases. 
• Provide recommendations and solutions to overcome challenges, optimize crop yields, and ensure the long-term success of container farming operations. 
• Stay accessible and responsive to inquiries and requests for assistance from container farmers. 
• Build and maintain relationships with container farming professionals, agricultural experts, and industry stakeholders to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing. 
• Participate in relevant professional associations, conferences, and worksho