Research and Extension Associate Sustainable Ag and Food Systems

TITLE: Research and Extension Associate for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems 

DEPARTMENT: School of Agriculture, Communities, Environment, and the Sciences 

REPORTS TO: Principal Investigator  

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 Research and Extension Associate will serve as a lead support person to assist the PI, staff, and students to perform research in the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems at the College of Agriculture, Community, and the Sciences (CACS). 

He/she will be a key member of the student run farm for Sustainable production and food systems at the Kentucky State University Demonstration Farm and will be involved in establishing a student run farm to supply produce to KSU Dining and student run café. The chosen candidate will run the farm operations as a farm manager and establish demonstration and teaching gardens showcasing organic vegetable production like backyards and school gardens. The candidate will assist in implementing the student-run farm and demonstration gardens into existing course work and programming for experiential learning opportunities. He/she will assist in developing relationships between producers and KSU Dining Services to promote local foods on campus. This candidate will assist in exploring community interest in urban agriculture in low-income neighborhoods in food deserts in Frankfort, KY. The candidate will work with research team and students to support design and delivery workshops, lead preparation of annual reports for the funding agency and advisory board. The candidate will supervise undergraduate and graduate students as appropriate, present results at state and national conferences. Co/lead author academic papers for relevant peer-reviewed journals. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:  

1. Assist the PI and other supporting staff in designing farming activities, mentor, supervise and lead undergraduate and graduate students involved in research.
2. Assist the PI and implement Capacity Building Grant, Evans Allen research projects, and externally funded projects.
3. The candidate will conduct collaborative and independent research to help optimize production dynamics and profitability of sustainable agriculture and food systems.
4. The candidate will help manage laboratory and farm spaces in a professional manner.
5. Other duties include building raised beds, managing high tunnels, selecting, and assisting in transplanting and monitoring of the production on the farm, mentoring participants, and harvest.
6. To record and maintain data in proper spreadsheet layout.
7. Submit peer reviewed manuscripts, give professional presentations, interact with farmers and potential farmers.
8. Help develop proposals for external funding of research.
9. Track applications and correspondence of potential graduate students and student progress.
10. To assist faculty and staff and students in using research equipment.
11. Other related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES