POSITION SUMMARY
The Center for an Agricultural Economy seeks a Farm and Food Business Resources program manager to join our Business Resources team at CAE providing comprehensive support to farms and food businesses at all stages of development. Our work includes business advising, assistance with business/farm development projects, support for producers using our incubator kitchens, and guidance on topics such as cash flow management, hiring, capital project planning, food safety, inventory management, strategic decision making, and succession planning. Success in this role requires the ability to provide practical, constructive feedback and context-specific guidance to farms who are evaluating and navigating a range of opportunities and challenges specific to their business. The ideal candidate will demonstrate empathy, a willingness to learn through professional development opportunities, have strong listening skills, be skilled in building trust with clients in diverse circumstances, and the ability to adapt to the needs of the client. This position will be part of a statewide network of advisors through an existing partnership with the Vermont Farm and Forest Viability Program.
JOB DETAILS
Position: Farm & Food Business Resources Manager
Reports to: Executive Director
Schedule: 40 hours/week. Hybrid work arrangements considered (2-4 days in the office preferred). Travel required: regular travel to farms, partner events and food production sites.
Compensation: $65,000 to $70,000, depending on relevant experience, 40 hours/week, full time, exempt
Benefits: Health insurance, Health savings account, Employer-paid short-term disability and life insurance, Paid Time Off, SIMPLE IRA, phone stipend, professional development
To view the full job posting please visit our website www.caevt.org/jobs
To apply: email jobs@caevt.org with your resume and a letter of interest, and include ‘Farm and Food Business Resource Manager’ in your email subject line. We’re interested to hear your thoughts on any life or work experience as it relates to this position. Applicants who go on to interview with us will also be asked to provide references. Our application deadline is July 13, 2026. Applicants will be contacted the week of July 13th. Let us know if you have any questions!
We have devoted significant thought, intention, and effort to explicitly taking steps to be a more equitable and inclusive organization throughout our history, with significant recent changes around hiring and employment policies, and employee benefits to increase the equity of our organization. Over the past three years CAE has overhauled our hiring processes to reduce inherent bias, and increase transparency and inclusion. Our hiring process includes full disclosure on compensation, the process, accommodations are made for any applicant and all interview questions are shared in advance. In 2023, CAE made great strides in our employment benefits for our roughly 40 employees. Long aspired and desired, we now offer healthcare to all employees who work 32 hours per week or more, as well as a Health Savings Account, Employee Assistance Program, and retirement accounts. Temporary employees are now eligible for sick time, and after 3 months of employment, staff are eligible for paid family leave. The paid time off policy was streamlined and updated, including the ability for staff to cash in their accrued time off. We approach these benefits as directly related to equity and inclusion. CAE also supports staff to take racial equity trainings; over the past six years many staff members have taken part in Food Solution New England's 21-day racial Equity Habit Building Challenge, and last year CAE sponsored the program.
