“Advocacy” is a term that can be used in many ways. Our “Farm Advocacy” program refers to something very specific: providing farmers who are in financial crisis with expert, in-depth technical assistance to navigate their financial options and achieve better outcomes than they might without help. Sometimes this assistance saves farms; sometimes it helps farmers access loans for operating expenses or expansion of their businesses, which they may not have been able to access without our help. We help family farms of all types and descriptions.

Job description: The Farmer Advocate will provide high quality one-on-one technical assistance via in-depth casework to help financially distressed farmers understand their options, and set and pursue goals for stabilizing and improving their situation. Casework will include analyzing farm finances, helping a farmer evaluate options and understand risk, and assisting them through the various processes involved - loan applications, loan servicing, set-asides, bankruptcy options (until the point of attorney referral), generational transfer, and others.                       

The Advocate will also contribute to communications, education, and training materials related to farm advocacy issues.

Position Responsibilities

• Casework - Provide individualized one-on-one technical assistance to farmers, with a focus on financial distress and/or FSA farm and loan programs, including sensitive and high-risk situations. Prioritize case work according to the urgency of deadlines and farmer needs. Respond to both external and internal referrals.

• Training - Attend trainings, study materials, and shadow Lead Farmer Advocate for casework topics for which additional training is needed. Contribute to and provide feedback on Farm Advocacy related training materials and curricula.

• Hotline - Answer RAFI farmer hotline calls, speak with callers to determine help needed, and document farmers’ concerns, requests for assistance, and other call details. Make referrals internally or externally as appropriate.

• Policy Updates - Stay up to date regarding policy changes that will impact Farm Advocacy clients, and work with communications, policy, and/or direct service team staff as appropriate to disseminate information to farmers on changes they should be aware of.

• Data & Reporting - Ensure that weekly casework and hotline updates and other case-related data from the Farm Advocacy team are entered into Salesforce. Ensure that existing Farm Advocacy cases in Salesforce are regularly updated, cases are marked as “closed” when appropriate, and responses to case closeout questions are recorded for each case closing. 

Required skills, knowledge, and abilities: 

• Demonstrated experience working with farmers and general knowledge of farming practices and finances. 

• Knowledge of the basics of agricultural credit, in particular the options for, requirements of, and process for obtaining credit at the Farm Service Agency.

• Strong interpersonal skills, especially when working with farmers in stressful situations

• Self-starter: can take initiative both on projects and work plans, and seek information independently. Organized, reliably follows up.

• Ability to work at a granular level of detail when required by casework. Ability to conduct research on additional topics as needed.

Desired skills, knowledge, and abilities: 

• Demonstrated experience helping farmers navigate financial crisis and loan servicing options, especially at the Farm Service Agency.

• Experience with case management.

• Works well within a team environment.

Compensation: Full-time salaried, exempt position. Annual salary of $59,116 to $67,010 depending on experience, based on 40 hours/week. Generous benefits package includes paid time off, 401k, medical, dental, life insurance, and long/short-term disability insurance plans.  This position is fully (non-federal) grant-funded for 4 years.  Grant-funded positions are contingent on the renewal of the grant.

Location: Candidates will be considered for remote work who have substantial experience helping farmers in financial crisis, with a preference for candidates in the Southeast U.S. or U.S. Caribbean territories. Candidates who will require more training before taking on financial crisis casework will be considered who are located in central or eastern North Carolina, in order to have access to regular in-person training opportunities.

How to Apply: Applicants should submit a resume, cover letter and professional references. We will accept applications until the position is filled. In your cover letter, please state why you are interested in working for RAFI and share any skills or experiences you have that make you an ideal candidate for this position. Please no calls or emails.

About RAFI:  Rural Advancement Foundation International-(RAFI) challenges the root causes of unjust food systems, supporting and advocating for economically, racially, and ecologically just farm communities. We envision a thriving, sustainable, and equitable food system where farmers and farmworkers have dignity and agency; where they are supported by just agricultural policies; and where corporations and institutions are accountable to their community.

RAFI’s Salary Rates: RAFI’s salary policy is implemented based on the goals of fair, clear and transparent criteria for salary rates with clear standards that minimize the effect of negotiation skills or preference. RAFI’s salary policy sets salary rates for positions based on the responsibility level that the position holds. Given this, RAFI does not negotiate salary rates. 

COVID: RAFI’s workplace policies require all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 unless medical or religious exemptions are present.

Equal Opportunity Employer: RAFI is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, physical or mental handicap, matriculation, or political affiliation.

Work Authorization: RAFI does not sponsor work visas; this position requires authorization to work in the United States.

Inclusive Workplace: RAFI  values an equitable and inclusive workplace. We are deeply committed to engaging the skills and leadership of people of color, LGBTQ persons, and other individuals from diverse backgrounds. Research shows that often women and people from underrepresented groups only apply to jobs for which they meet 100% of the qualifications. RAFI is interested in attracting a diverse pool of candidates who want to contribute as a part of a dedicated, hard-working, collaborative team, driven by equity. You need not check every box. If much of this describes you, we encourage you to apply.