We’re Hiring

Course Facilitator (pool position)

Published: August 17, 2023
Application Deadline: ongoing
Location: Remote
Compensation: $3,250 - $4,500 depending on experience

Downloadable PDF version of this RFP

The Organic Agronomy Training Service (OATS) seeks to hire facilitators for the Organic Field Crop Course, a training program for advisors, consultants, agronomists, and agricultural professionals on the art and science of organic field crop production. The course facilitator will serve as the main point of contact for the course participants, organize and host six 2-hour live sessions on zoom held monthly, and monitor participant progress through the self-paced materials.

Description of the Organic Field Crop Course

The Organic Field Crop Course by OATS is a training course for advisors, consultants, agronomists, and agricultural professionals in the art and science of organic field crop production. This course prepares participants to work one-on-one with transitional and certified organic field crop farmers by providing high quality, science-based information that they need to advise their farmer clients. It covers all aspects of field crop production in the northern tier of the United States. Crops featured include corn, soybeans, small grains, pulses, and forage crops, and includes regionally specific information.

The course takes a holistic understanding of organic field crop production with video-based lessons on topics such as:

  • Systems thinking & long-term strategies for success in organic production

  • Managing risk during transition

  • Building strong crop rotations

  • Leveraging healthy soil for a healthy crop

  • Managing weeds, pests, & diseases

  • The certification process and record-keeping

  • National Organic Program (NOP) rules and regulations

  • Marketing and Profitability

  • Roles for organic advisors

Participants are grouped into a cohort of peers which is led by the facilitator. As the participants work through the online content at their own pace, the facilitator hosts six live sessions via zoom where guest experts join in discussion with the cohort about topics from the course, and the facilitator leads learning activities. The facilitator tracks participant progress toward the completion requirements of the course.

Standard cohorts begin on a quarterly schedule, with special cohorts beginning as needed.

Scope of Services

Facilitate a cohort of 10 to 30 participants of the Organic Field Crop Course.

Activities (total 72 hours):

  • Schedule and host individual onboarding & goal setting meetings with students (max 30 minutes per student)

  • Prep for 6 live zoom sessions; secure guest speakers

  • Prepare and execute 6 two-hour live sessions on zoom over a period of 6 to 8 months from the start date of the course; live session dates to be selected in coordination with cohort members

  • Monitor student progress through the course

  • Review student quiz performance and adapt live

  • sessions accordingly

  • Communicate regularly with students about course objectives, activities, progress, and share additional resources in response to student requests

  • Review and provide individualized feedback on exercises/assignments

  • Track student attendance and progress toward course completion

  • Review and approve in-person event requirements for each student

  • Onboarding for first-time facilitator: LMS training, facilitator handbook review, course material review, etc.

  • Attend project check-in meetings, quarterly

Timeline

Standard cohorts begin on a quarterly schedule (February, May, August, November). Special cohorts (e.g. specific groups like extension, or staff of an organization) begin as they are organized.

Each cohort runs for 12 months:

  • Month 1

    • Onboard participants

    • Hold 15-30 minute individual phone calls with each student to assess personal objectives and goals for the course

    • Host zoom session 1

  • Months 2 through 8 - host zoom sessions 2 through 6. Due to agricultural seasons, some months for some cohorts will not hold a live session.

  • Months 7 through 12 - monitor participant progress toward completion requirements including approving student selections of a live event to attend in their locality.

Qualifications

Required

  • Demonstrated commitment to advancing organic agriculture

  • Expertise in science-based organic grain crop production systems (emphasis on corn, soybean, wheat, oats, rye, and barley)

  • Thorough knowledge of NOP Regulations

  • Ability to communicate complex information in an engaging way

  • Ability to work independently

  • Proficiency with the following technical platforms: Zoom, Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, Google Suite including Docs, Sheet, Gmail, and Calendar

Preferred

  • Experience leading workshops/webinars/field days for agriculture-based education

  • Experience facilitating distance-learning agriculture-based education such as webinars

  • Experience with educational program implementation

  • Relationships with content area experts and industry members within OATS service region

  • Hold Certified Crop Advisor qualification

Specifications

  • 12-month contract with most work completed in the first 6-8 months

  • Estimated time commitment 72 hours total

  • Compensation paid on monthly or quarterly schedule depending on facilitator preference

  • Contractor to provide own office space, computer, phone, internet, and office supplies

  • Legal status to work in the U.S.

How to Apply

To apply for this contract opportunity, please submit the following in pdf format by email to mallory@organicagronomy.org:

  1. One-page letter of interest that includes your fee bid (with sufficient detail to understand how it is calculated)

  2. Resume

Organization

OATS is a collaboratively managed, programmatically independent consortium of universities, NGOs, and industry representatives who envision a future where families, farms, and ecosystems are viable, healthy, and resilient. Our mission is to train agricultural professionals in the practices and principles of organic crop production so that every farmer has access to science-based agronomic support. OATS is fiscally sponsored by the Organic Trade Association.

Our training programs focus on agricultural professionals who serve farmers on the organic spectrum, from considering, through transition, and maintaining certification. These professionals include agronomists, Certified Crop Advisors, agri-business and retail service, independent consultants, and university extension educators.

More information about OATS can be found at www.organicagronomy.org.

Contact Information

Mallory Krieger, OATS National Program Director - mallory@organicagronomy.org