NMSDC is looking for a consultant to take on the Acres farming liaison specialist role to serve as the main point of contact for all farming-related activities.
Program Background
The NMSDC Acres: Cultivating Equity in Black Agriculture program was established in 2022 to address a significant disparity in the U.S. agricultural industry. Today, only 1.4% of farmers identify as Black or mixed race, compared to about 14% a century ago. Furthermore, these farmers represent less than 0.5% of total U.S. farm sales.
A collaborative effort between NMSDC, Cargill, UNFI, an HBCU educational partner, and other funding sponsors, the program aims to rectify this imbalance. It seeks to elevate Black MBEs in the agriculture industry by providing a pathway for Black farmers to achieve parity. This is accomplished by helping them obtain their NMSDC certification, enhancing their business acumen, and ultimately growing their capacity to land larger national contracts with NMSDC’s corporate members.
After two successful cohorts, Acres has solidified its foundation and is poised to continue its positive upward trajectory. To assist in this journey, NMSDC seeks a consultant to act as the Acres farming liaison specialist. This consultant will play a pivotal role in the Acres program, which aims to rectify the significant disparity in the U.S. agricultural industry. The specialist will work closely with Black farmers, helping them obtain their NMSDC certification, enhancing their business acumen, and ultimately assisting in growing their capacity to scale and land larger contracts
Acres Farming Liaison Specialist Responsibilities
- Serve as a critical support system for the Acres program and its Black farmer participants by acting as a primary contact for farmers, offering guidance and support as they navigate the NMSDC certification process and strive to expand their businesses.
- Collaborate with key stakeholders, including national and regional farming organizations, the Acres HBCU educational partner, and the Acres program director, to increase program reach and recruitment within the farming ecosystem.
- Play a key role in building relationships, facilitating communication, and ensuring the effective achievement of the program’s objectives.
- Carry out various duties to support the program director and the overarching goals of the Acres program.
Learn more about this opportunity in the full RFP found here.
To apply for the RFP please direct all communications to NMSDC program manager, Brandi Wiggins at brandi.wiggins@nmsdc.org. All proposals are due by July 26.
