Beginning Farmer Fellowship Available

We are excited to announce a new position opening here at Pure Catskills. It is the result of a collaboration with Farmhearts. This organization is working to preserve the environmental integrity and economic sustainability of agricultural regions by supporting family farms. The position will take the form of a fellowship opportunity for a beginning farmer working in the Catskills region.

The fellow will work with the Farm to Market Program and focus on beginning farmer programming. The Farm to Market Program administers the Pure Catskills buy local campaign, organizes events on value added production, and facilitates business connections between farm and food businesses. Over 200 businesses from Delaware, Greene, Otsego, Schoharie, Sullivan and Ulster counties participate in the Pure Catskills campaign. The fellow will focus on supporting the launch of Catskills Farmlink and a Catskills CRAFT group in collaboration with numerous partners across the region.

Eligible candidates include apprentice farmers, proprietors of recently established agricultural businesses and emerging professionals in the local food marketplace. Individuals may apply by providing a personal statement and a resume. The statement should be limited to one page and address agricultural experience, communications skills, familiarity with the agricultural community in the Catskills region and the individual’s future goals related to agriculture. Applications will be accepted until February 15, 2011. The anticipated start date for the fellow is late February.

A position description and fellowship information are available at the Scholarships & Grants section of www.purecatskills.com. All applications and inquiries should be directed to Challey Comer, Farm to Market Manager at ccomer@nycwatershed.org. No phone calls please.