AgLaunch is seeking a highly motivated candidate with experience in, or familiarity with, the agriculture community and entrepreneurship to lead an exciting pan-Appalachian organization committed to improving the livelihood of farmers, building successful companies, and improving the economy and well-being of the region, through a commitment to farmer-led agricultural innovation.
About the Organization:
AgLaunch Engine is a subsidiary of the non-profit AgLaunch, which leverages its distributed network of farm incubators, entrepreneurial farmers, aligned capital partners, research consortia, technical consulting, and best-in-class accelerator programming to effectively challenge the status quo and thoughtfully create value for farmers and the communities they serve. The AgLaunch vision is a transformed regional agriculture and food economy centered around farmers, innovation, and prosperity, with a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. AgLaunch operates through 5 regional clusters located across the United States.
The Appalachian AgriFood Innovation Cluster is part of a national network of Regional Innovation Clusters (RICs), funded by the Small Business Administration (SBA), that are providing a support mechanism for new innovation in a variety of sectors. The Appalachian AgriFood Innovation Cluster is headquartered at the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center in Knoxville, Tennessee and managed by AgLaunch Engine, LLC., a for-profit small business supporting regionally tailored economic development approaches that leverage farmer-led agricultural innovation. The Cluster comprises 240 counties across Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, led by a steering team of representatives from across the region.
The Regional Lead will be the primary point of contact for partners, cluster members, and steering committee representatives throughout the region and will be responsible for building out regionally-tailored entrepreneurial and farmer support programs as well as utilizing AgLaunch’s current programming and tools, such as the AgLaunch Farmer Network, the AgLaunch365 Accelerator, the Data Commons, and the Open Market Consortium, to serve the Appalachian region. The Cluster Lead will be a conduit for AgLaunch activities in the region and will build relationships and partnerships throughout the region and coordinate to support and empower current regional efforts and best practices. The Cluster Lead will also be responsible for developing necessary reports and materials required for providing services to the region and reporting to funders.
Responsibilities:
Cluster Management & Ecosystem Engagement:
Entrepreneur & Small Business Support:
Farmer Engagement:
Qualifications:
Knowledge:
Abilities:
Additional Information:
AgLaunch Offers:
AgLaunch does not tolerate discrimination of any type and offers equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, natural origin, age, disability or medical condition, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or any other considerations made unlawful by Federal, State, or local laws. We believe in providing eligible and qualified employees with opportunities to advance. AgLaunch is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Women and minorities, and persons with disabilities, are encouraged to apply.
To apply, email a resume and cover letter to admin@aglaunch.com.