Farm to School Engagement Specialist

Northeast Michigan Healthy Food Initiative

Commitment: 4 hours per week   Term: 24 months, beginning January 1, 2027

Position Summary

The Farm to School Engagement Specialist connects local farms with schools to strengthen nutrition education and increase students’ access to fresh, locally grown food. The role supports the “three Cs” of farm to school: classroom education, cafeteria connections, and community partnerships. The Specialist coordinates activities under NEMI Healthy Food Initiative’s USDA Farm to School grant and works with school districts and community partners to advance approved program goals.

Key Responsibilities

  • Coordinate partnerships and activities included in NEMI Healthy Food Initiative’s approved USDA Farm to School grant.

  • Engage with up to six school districts to identify needs, support planned activities, and advance program outcomes.

  • Support procurement from local farms and build connections with community organizations and other partners that strengthen farm to school initiatives.

  • Assist schools with integrating relevant, engaging nutrition education into classroom curricula.

  • Collect information on program activities, effectiveness, and student participation to inform future efforts.

  • Promote the benefits of local food systems and healthy eating within the community.

  • Maintain program records and report progress to team members and supervisors.

Qualifications

  • At least two years of relevant experience in program coordination and community engagement.

  • Experience in community outreach, local food initiatives, or educational settings.

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

  • Self-directed, with strong organizational, teamwork, and leadership skills.

  • Familiarity with NEMI Healthy Food Initiative’s food and farming programs.

  • Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Gmail.

  • A degree in food systems, nutrition, education, environmental studies, agriculture, or a related field is preferred; a degree is not required.

Questions and Application Information

For more information or to ask how to apply, contact either:

Value-Added Coordinator

Northeast Michigan Healthy Food Initiative

Position: Part-time contract   Work Arrangement: Remote; some travel required

Commitment: Average of 20 hours per month for 10 months   Rate: Commensurate with experience

Position Summary

The Value-Added Coordinator will help growers in the NEMI region develop and strengthen value-added food products and businesses. The work includes individualized technical assistance, learning opportunities for growers at different stages, and connections to the facilities, agencies, and resources that can support safe and sustainable food processing.

Responsibilities

  • Provide value-added and food-processing technical assistance to growers, including members of an existing Advanced Cohort. Support may include business planning, financial analysis, identifying facility needs, understanding regulatory requirements, and recipe development.

  • Form a Beginning Cohort for value-added processing and coordinate participation in webinars with subject-matter experts, including Innovation Counselors at the MSU Product Center, MSU Extension educators, and other partners identified in the grant narrative.

  • Provide additional resources to growers as needed and coordinate the Beginning Cohort’s educational needs and ongoing engagement with the Field Manager.

  • Organize an educational site visit to a food-processing facility for the Beginning Cohort.

  • Help growers understand applicable laws, regulations, and certifications, and improve their access to state and county regulatory agencies.

  • Help participating growers consider risk-management strategies for financing or scaling their businesses. Topics may include competitor analysis, startup costs, cash flow, and other financial decisions based on each operation’s needs and goals.

  • Identify growers in the NEMI region who offer value-added products and document commercial kitchen options available in the region.

Qualifications

  • Relevant experience in agriculture, food systems, food processing, small-business support, program coordination, or community engagement.

  • Knowledge of value-added food processing, business planning, or food safety and regulatory requirements is an asset.

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with growers and partner organizations.

  • Self-directed and well organized, with strong teamwork and problem-solving skills.

  • Comfort using Microsoft Word, Excel, and Gmail, and maintaining clear records and progress reports.

  • Familiarity with NEMI Healthy Food Initiative’s food and farming programs is an asset. A degree is not required.

Contract Details and Application

The contractor will work remotely for 10 months, averaging 20 hours per month. Some travel within the region is required. In-region mileage will be reimbursed at the prevailing IRS rate, up to a total of $350. The position is part-time and contractual, with a rate commensurate with experience.

To submit a letter of interest, contact Kristine Ranger, Co-Director, at kmranger@nemihfi.org.