Over the last decade, the National Young Farmers Coalition (Young Farmers) has become a leading voice for change in U.S. agriculture. With 40+ chapters and over 200,000 farmers and supporters in our network, we enter the next decade with excitement and commitment to building a bright and just future for agriculture. We seek new board leaders who have the skills and experience to ensure our work benefits those most impacted by agricultural policy, specifically indigenous farmers and farmers of color.
Board Purpose and Scope of Responsibilities
The purpose of the Young Farmers board of directors is to help the organization pursue its mission to represent, mobilize, and engage young farmers to ensure their success. To this end, the board provides support through governance, financial management, strategic planning, fundraising, and outreach.
Nomination Criteria
The coalition is committed to the development of leaders in the young farmer space. As such, no previous board experience is necessary. Those interested in deeper engagement with the Coalition are encouraged to apply.
Directors must:
- Support our mission to represent, mobilize, and engage young farmers to ensure their success.
- Support and uphold Young Farmers’ commitment to dismantle white supremacy at our organization and center farmers of color in our work
- Agree to open, candid and respectful communication conducive to sharing power and dismantling bias among a diverse group of directors
- Commit to a two-year term of service
- Attend quarterly 90 minute virtual/phone meetings, generally scheduled in the evening and on weeknights with at least 14 days notice
- Attend an annual Board retreat, often scheduled during a two-day period in December. (Travel stipends are available for farmer board members.)
- Participate and contribute to Board fundraising efforts
- Serve on one or more board committees and contribute to the success of the committee(s). Committees include audit/financial; board development; equity; executive; funding; and planning.
- For “farmer board members”, applicants should be currently engaged in agricultural production
- For “non-farmer board members”, applicants should possess skills, talents, and/or resources that can further the mission of our organization.
Board Selection Process
The Board Development Committee, chaired by Jacquie Munno, will review materials and host interviews with applicants on a rolling basis throughout the first quarter of 2020. The Committee will formally nominate a slate of members to the full board, and new members will be voted on by the board by April 1st, 2020.