We're hiring a Director of Farm to Institution Programs

Friday, October 6, 2023

We're hiring a Director of Farm to Institution Programs

Join our Team!

Prepared broccoli is spread out on a baking sheet for serving in an institutional setting.

We're hiring for an outreach specialist position that will provide overall direction and coordinate outreach, education, research, and evaluation activities for existing and future farm to institution efforts at MSU Center for Regional Food Systems.

MSU Center for Regional Food Systems seeks a full-time, fixed-term Director of Farm to Institution Programs. This Academic Specialist position provides a unique opportunity for an experienced, motivated, and resourceful leader to bring creative vision and support to the strong farm to institution foundation existing here in Michigan. The Director will work closely with partners from MSU Extension, state agencies, community-based organizations, institutions, farms and food vendors, funding agencies, and other state, regional, and national organizations.

Within this highly collaborative role, the Director will provide overall leadership for the Michigan Farm to Institution Network, including coordinating the management team and advisory committee, communications, network activities, and more. Additionally, the Director will lead and support other projects related to CRFS’ statewide and national farm to institution and farm to school strategy, such as evaluating the statewide local food incentive program 10 Cents a Meal, maintaining Michigan Farm to School resources, and providing technical assistance to Michigan-based grantees of the Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub.

CRFS’s highly collaborative role in farm to institution work is well-established and requires a diplomatic leader with great organizational skills to collaboratively engage a range of existing relationships and diverse stakeholders. Using a racial equity lens in all outreach strategies, research, and communication efforts is an essential part of all CRFS programming.

Find the full position description, qualifications, and required application materials on our website and on the Careers @ MSU Job Posting #900714

Apply Now!

Salary: $66,000-$74,000, commensurate with experience, plus MSU’s benefit package.

Applications will be accepted until 11:55 pm E.T. on October 25, 2023

If you have questions about the position or search process, you may contact Megan McManus, Search Chair, mcmanu60@msu.edu.

A Note from MSU Center for Regional Food Systems

This position posting for Director, Farm to Institution Programs, at the Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS) is to fill the position I have occupied for several years. I am not leaving CRFS, but my role within CRFS is transitioning to lead the new Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center and support other regional food systems efforts.

Since 2007, it has been my pleasure and honor to serve, learn from, and work alongside the many tireless institutional food service professionals, farmers, food suppliers, and organizational partners who make farm to school and farm to institution programs happen on a day-to-day basis. Thanks to them, and the many more hardworking advocates, researchers, and community members who support these efforts, Michigan is looked to as a leader in this work. This position posting provides an opportunity to bring fresh energy and new perspectives to this role, and I know whoever fills it will undoubtedly be well-supported by the committed people and teams who will continue this work well into the future.

— Colleen Matts, Director, Farm to Institution Programs at CRFS