| The Rodale Institute has
received funding from the USDA’s Risk Management Agency
(RMA) to develop:
- An online course on transitioning to organic production.
In a friendly, engaging style, the course will
cover all aspects of transitioning, from record keeping
to soil fertility, and will include, among other things:
detailed case studies of diverse farms that have gone through
transition; a structured online diary that helps course
participants develop a complete farm plan by course’s
end; a directory of resources; and a discussion forum for
course members.
- A complementary tool called The Simulator
that will help farmers analyze the relative economic benefits
of organic versus conventional systems over time. The goal
is to produce an easy-to-use modeling tool that will provide
multi-year analysis of an individual farm’s yields
and economics, act as an instructional tool, and allow producers
the ability to experiment with changes in key production
variables in an effort to discern if organic production
techniques and various rotational sequences are right for
their operations.
We are now seeking the assistance of an experienced ag journalist,
editor and project manager who can shepherd these two projects
to completion, walk them through beta testing, then maintain
and update them. A knowledge of Microsoft Project would be
a plus. This is a three year position, with full and generous
benefits. We hope to complete the hiring process by January
15, 2004. Anyone interested in applying must be available
to begin work by February 1, 2004. To apply, please email
Chris Hill, the executive editor of NewFarm.Org, at info@newfarm.org.
Be sure to include some commentary that will convince Chris
that you have the passion, skills, connections and temperament
to do this job well. Also include a resume or some variation
on your work history.
The way we see it, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
to work with the best and brightest organic and sustainable
farmers and educators to create learning tools that will assist
farmers in making the transition to organic, or at the very
least improving the profitability of and practices on their
farms. We're looking for someone who can bring the appropriate
passion and conviction to the job. Convince us that you're
that person.
We prefer someone who can relocate in Pennsylvania, though
will consider those who can’t. You will be required
to travel from time to time, especially during the first half
year of the project. Any questions regarding compensation
will be answered when we contact you following receipt of
your email. The finalists for this position will be required
to visit us in Pennsylvania for face-to-face interviews. The
Rodale Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
P.S. If you know someone you think would
be great for the job, but would prefer that we contact them
directly, just drop a line to Chris Hill at the email address
above.
The Transition
Course
As project manager for the transition course, the person we
hire will be responsible for working with:
- the editors at newfarm.org to refine and shape the concept
of the course
- brainstorming groups who represent our major constituencies
to further refined the course and its contents (these groups
will be made up of academics, farmers, inspectors, extension,
and representatives of membership groups who work on behalf
of farmers
- a curriculum specialist to ensure that the course is
structured in a way that meets standard
expectations for good course design
- a graphic designer and programmer to create the right
look, feel and functionality for the course
- freelance writers and specialists who will contribute
some of the modules for the course, under your editorial
direction.
The project manager will also be responsible for:
- writing the bridge narratives that create the “voice”
of the course and provide a sense of continuity and progress
from one module to the next
- editing all articles and contracted components of the
course
- managing and stimulating discussion on the course’s
discussion forum
- answering participants’ questions
- developing a monthly email newsletter for course participants
- updating the course as needed.
The Simulator
As project manager for The Simulator, the person we hire will
be responsible for meeting with the editors, brainstorming
groups, and ag econ specialists to refine our concept for
this tool. Creative thinking and planning will be crucial
during the first several months of development, since we need
to ensure that the tool we develop will be the one that is
most useful for--and most likely to be used by—the farmers
it’s designed to benefit.
Developing an analytical tool like this will require that
you:
- work with farmers to understand all the variables and
costs involved in organic production
- work with ag researchers and an ag economist to gather
and analyze the data that will be used to predict yields,
costs and prices
- work with a statistician and programmer who can turn
the variables and data into executable formulas and calculations
- work with a database expert and graphic designer to actually
create the tool
The project manager will also be responsible for structuring
the tool and writing the copy for it in such a way that it
is engaging and user-friendly.
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