POSITION: 70% Kellogg Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) Project
30% Extension Agent, Processed Vegetable Production
RANK: Instructor, Fixed Term
POSITION AVAILABLE: Immediately
APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 17, 1995
LOCATION: Serves Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Marion County is located in the heart of the Willamette Valley. The City
of Salem serves both as the seat of county government and State Capitol.
There are 9 Extension faculty and 10 program support staff located in
Marion County.
Of the approximately $355 million in 1993 gross agricultural farm gate
sales in Marion County, 19% was represented by vegetable production. About
57% of the vegetables produced went for processing: snap beans, sweet corn,
green peas, and cole crops to name a few. The majority of the fresh market
is onions.
The goal of the Kellogg IFS Project is to provide technical support and
market-based incentives to farmers who are testing and adopting farming
systems that strike a healthy balance between economics and conserving the
environment. This position will implement, under the supervision of the
Project Co-Director, a farm improvement program for processed vegetables in
the Willamette Valley which will include a cropping practices survey, a
participatory on-farm research program, a small-grants-to-farmers program,
and farmer-to-farmer extension activities (signs, farm tours, grower
meetings, etc.). This position will serve on a regional planning team that
will develop, implement, and evaluate the Kellogg IFS Project farm
improvement and environmental stewardship market incentives programs.
This position, which serves Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties, will assist
the area Vegetable Agent to conduct Extension educational programming and
research in vegetable production, marketing, and profitability.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
1) Work with the OSU Integrated Plant Protection Center to conduct a
cropping practices survey (CPS) for the major processed vegetable crops
grown in the Willamette Valley. The goal of the is to determine the range
of practices used in processed vegetable production in the areas of plant
protection, soil conservation, water quality protection, and wildlife
conservation.
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2) Assist Kellogg Project grower participants to plan, implement, evaluate
and extend on-farm research that evaluates improved strategies in plant
protection, soil conservation, water quality protection, and wildlife
conservation. Assist grower participants to plan, implement, and evaluate
farm tour, field days, grower meetings, and other farmer-to-farmer
extension activities.
3) Assist Kellogg Project grower participants to identify and receive
resources and technical support from appropriate research, extension, and
natural resource management agency personnel.
4) Participate in regional planning and evaluation processes related to the
Kellogg IFS project.
Assist with evaluation and reporting to the funding agency in areas related
to the Oregon processed vegetable farm improvement program.
5) Assist Area Vegetable Agent to develop and provide Extension educational
programs that are tailored to the specific needs of the vegetable
industries in Marion, Polk, and Yamhill Counties with emphasis on processed
vegetables. Program emphases will include applied research in production,
marketing, and profitability. Audiences will include commercial vegetable
growers, processor field representatives, and associated industry
personnel.
6) Work with commercial producers, related industry people, and appropriate
Extension faculty in the surrounding counties and at the North Willamette
Research and Extension Center in determining vegetable program priorities.
7) Serve as a participating member of a team of Extension agents,
specialists, and administrators in planning, conducting, and evaluating
broader Extension programs on both a county and an area basis.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
1) Bachelor's degree required. Master's preferred with at least one degree
in agriculture with major course work in horticulture, plant protection
disciplines, and/or soils.
2) Experience in adult education, Extension preferred, including knowledge
of adult learning styles.
3) Technical experience in vegetable production, plant protection, and soil
fertility management. Knowledge of public issues affecting clientele,
i.e., regulations, registration of minor-use pesticides, water allocation
and quality, worker safety and housing, and agricultural sustainability.
4) Demonstrated teaching, written, and interpersonal communication skills,
including the effective use of mass media. Facilitation and consensus
building skills with experience in conflict resolution.
5) Ability to work with volunteers who represent varied interests and
abilities. Ability to communicate effectively with people of varied
ethnic, socio-economic and educational backgrounds.
6) Computer skills in word processing, data base management, and spread
sheets. Knowledge in information highway navigation and computer
networking.
7) Ability to plan, organize, delegate, and attend to details associated
with program and office management, including operation of office
equipment.
8) Evidence of good judgement and ability to work independently with
minimal supervision.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Personal car for travel. Official mileage is reimburse at 22 cents/mile
EMPLOYMENT STATUS, SALARY, AND FRINGE BENEFITS
Extension staff are appointed to the Oregon State University faculty with
full academic rank and privileges. Beginning salary will be $23,000 -
$25,000, commensurate with professional qualifications and grant
limitations. Benefits will include state retirement; health, life and
dental insurance group plans; annual and sick leave.
APPLY TO: Irma Sargent, Personnel Officer
Oregon State University
Ballard Extension Hall Rm 106
Corvallis, OR 97331-3613
Phone (503) 737-3991
FAX (503) 737-3993
To be considered for this position, you must submit a complete file by the
application deadline date. A complete file consists of:
1) Personal data resume or vita of education and professional experience
2) Copies of transcripts of all college and university work
3) At least three letters of reference. These letters should be ent
directly to the Personnnel Officer from the writer.
4) A written narrative describing how your experience, qualifications and
interests have prepared you for this position.
John M. Luna
Department of Horticulture
4143 Agriculture & Life Sciences Bldg.
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR 97331
503-737-5430 FAX 503 737-3479
E-mail LUNAJ@bcc.orst.edu