Local Foods Coordinator

Current University of Arkansas System employees, including student employees and graduate assistants, need to log in to Workday via MyApps.Microsoft.com, then access Find Jobs from the Workday search bar to view and apply for open positions. Students at University of Arkansas System two-year institutions will also view open positions and apply within Workday by searching for “Find Jobs for Students”.

All Job Postings will close at 12:01 a.m. CT on the specified Closing Date (if designated).

If you close the browser or exit your application prior to submitting, the application process will be saved as a draft. You will be able to access and complete the application through “My Draft Applications” located on your Candidate Home page.
 

Closing Date:

Type of Position:

Researchers

Workstudy Position:

No

Job Type:

Regular

Work Shift:

Sponsorship Available:

No

Institution Name:

Division of Agriculture of the University of Arkansas

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is a state wide campus, with faculty based on University campuses, at Research and Extension Centers and in every Arkansas county. It consists of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) and the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service (CES), and is home to more than 1400 employees.  The Division was established in 1959 and is headed by the Vice-President for Agriculture.  The Division headquarters is located in Little Rock with the rest of the University of Arkansas System Administration.  As an employer, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. 

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening.  To apply for the position, please click the Apply link/button.

If you have a disability and need assistance with the hiring process and require reasonable accommodations, please contact the Division's Office of Program & Employment Compliance at compliance@uada.edu.

For general application assistance or if you have questions about a job posting, please contact Human Resources at 501-671-2219 or 479-502-9820.

Department:

Horticulture * Associate Professor

Department's Website:

uada.edu

Summary of Job Duties:

The Local Foods Program Associate will support the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program by strengthening connections among local food producers, aggregators, distributors, and buyers to enhance the regional food supply chain. This position will focus on developing partnerships and coordinating sourcing efforts to supply local food into regional food hubs and institutional markets.

The Program Associate will work within the Department of Horticulture as part of the Local, Regional, and Safe Foods (LRSF) Team, under the direction of Dr. Amanda Philyaw Perez, in collaboration with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, and other key partners and organizations supporting the Arkansas food system.
________________________________________
Program Development and Coordination
• Coordinate efforts among farmers, food businesses, food hubs, and institutional buyers to strengthen local and regional supply chains.
• Support farmers and food businesses in utilizing RFSI funds for equipment, transportation, or infrastructure that enhances aggregation and distribution capacity.
• Work with LRSF and partner organizations to identify sourcing opportunities for food hubs and other local food access points.
• Assist in developing educational and technical assistance resources focused on business development, supply chain management, and local food aggregation.
• Provide training, collaboration, and support to county extension agents and community partners involved in local food system development.
• Coordinate site visits, technical assistance requests, and stakeholder meetings (in-person and virtual).
• Track and evaluate program activities, data collection, and reporting requirements in collaboration with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture and USDA.
________________________________________
Local