Extension Specialist, New Farm Enterprise & Entrepreneurship Specialist: Center for Profitable Agriculture - UTIA

The Extension Specialist – New Farm Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Specialist provides leadership for planning, implementing and evaluating statewide educational programs in value-added agriculture, landowner education and enterprise analysis, planning, development, management and sustainability.

• Develop farm entrepreneurship guidebook and curriculum
• Develop new farm enterprise and entrepreneurship workshop series
• Provide consultations and technical assistance for various identified subject matter topics
• Liaison with ‘Farming Fundamentals’, Master Farm Manager’ and youth entrepreneurship (4-H)
• Coordinate efforts in entrepreneurship coaching, leadership and mentorship
• Develop reactive and proactive programs for new enterprise idea generation
• Collaborate on landowner education programs (face-to-face and online)

Required: 

• Master’s degree in Agricultural Business, Agricultural Economics, Economics, Finance, Marketing, Business Administration or closely related field. Applicants graduating prior to target start date are welcome to apply. 
• Knowledge and skills that demonstrate promise in Extension program development and outreach.
• Knowledge of value-added enterprise analysis/development/operation.
• Knowledge and skills of how to develop and conduct Extension educational programs for value-added enterprises.
• Proficient knowledge and skills with computer applications (Microsoft Office (word processing, spreadsheet, database), Internet (web, e-mail), PowerPoint, etc.).
• Effective ability to provide leadership to multidisciplinary teams as well as abilities to work and serve as an effective member of program teams.
• Effective communication skills (written and verbal).
• Knowledge and skills in grant writing and proposal preparation for external funding.
• Knowledge and skills of how to initiate proactive educational programs and respond to program needs by clients.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment visa status.

Preferred: 

• Knowledge of agricultural Extension programs and the land-grant mission. 
• Knowledge of or experience in agriculture. 

 

Submit a complete application packet which includes a 

1) letter of interest, 

2) a resume or curriculum vitae, 

3) and official or unofficial transcripts showing degree(s) conferred. 

 

LOCATION: On Site University of Tennessee, Institute of Agriculture, Extension, Center for Profitable Agriculture at the Ridley 4-H Center in Columbia, Tennessee 

EFFECTIVE DATE: Screening of applicants’ credentials will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Target start date is

SALARY AND BENEFITS: 

Salary is commensurate with training and experience. Benefits include group hospitalization and  life insurance; State Employees Retirement; Workers’ Compensation; sick and annual leave; numerous University of Tennessee and state benefits programs, including liberal time off for holidays and longevity pay after three years of service; reimbursement for official travel. 

 

For additional information, please contact:

Megan Bruch Leffew, Search Chair

Email: mleffew@utk.edu

Website: https://cpa.tennessee.edu

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service. 

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. 

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.  

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices that attra