Primary Purpose of Position
The primary focus of this position will be Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), ensuring that small farms have the knowledge and resources to utilize these systems for profitable food production. This position provides educational leadership in the development, implementation, management, and evaluation of research-based, integrative statewide Extension programs that meet the needs of limited-resource and socially disadvantaged audiences. It delivers training and educational support materials for Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) agents, technicians, and their clientele/customers in CEA, including greenhouse production, high tunnels, indoor food production, mushrooms, vertical farming, microgreens, and hydroponics. These efforts align with the philosophy, policy, and overall mission, goals, and educational objectives of Cooperative Extension at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. The position works both individually and collaboratively to plan, deliver, and assess the effectiveness of Extension programs related to CEA, with a primary focus on expanding opportunities for small farms. Additionally, it secures external research funding to engage limited-resource audiences in the revitalization, growth, and profitability of small farms.
This is a non-tenured track faculty (NTTF), twelve-month position at the rank of “Assistant/Associate Professor of Practice – Controlled Environment Agriculture Specialist” in North Carolina A&T Cooperative Extension. Position’s incumbent is eligible for title promotion and academically housed in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design.
As NTTF faculty, this position can be released, up to 25% of time and effort once per year, to teach for-credit academic coursework.
Primary Function of Organizational Unit
N.C. A&T is a public, land-grant, doctoral research institution and has been the largest historically Black university in the country for the past decade. With an enrollment of 14,311 students in Fall 2024, the university offers 59 undergraduate degree programs, 36 master’s programs, and 12 doctoral programs. It is America’s top producer of Black graduates in Engineering and Agricultural Science bachelor’s programs, as well as a top five producer in numerous additional disciplines, including Liberal Arts and Communications/Journalism. It also ranks no. 3 in master’s degrees awarded to Black graduates in Engineering Technologies and Related Fields, no. 4 in master’s degrees in Engineering, and no. 11 best business school for women in the nation.
Nationally recognized for its leadership and excellence in STEM education and research, N.C. A&T is classified as “R2-High Research Activity” in the Carnegie Classifications and is poised to achieve “R1-Very High Research Activity” status. It also holds Carnegie’s earned credential in Community Engagement and the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation. With an annual economic impact of $2.4 billion, N.C. A&T plays a vital role as a higher-education economic driver in North Carolina’s Piedmont Triad region and across a state that is ranked No. 1 in the nation for the second straight year as “best for business” by the CNBC financial network.
The Cooperative Extension Program at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is an educational outreach organization within the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. Cooperative Extension at A&T provides researched-based educational information, programming and technical assistance to limited-resource audiences that address a diverse range of issues in four programmatic areas – Agriculture and Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences, Community and Rural Development, and 4-H Youth Development. Together with its partners – North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, state and county governments, a dynamic and resourceful system is formed. In addition to campus operations, The Cooperative Extension Program has professionally staffed offices in almost half of the 100 counties in North Carolina and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
Minimum Requirements
- An earned doctorate in controlled environment production, horticulture, urban agriculture, sustainable agriculture, food systems, or a closely related field.
- Three or more years of experience in Extension, educational programming, or closely related work.
In-depth knowledge of state and national trends and relevant data supporting Extension program development for Controlled Environment Agriculture.
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Preferred Years Experience, Skills, Training, Education
- In addition to Doctorate, 5 or more years of professional experience in Cooperative Extension program development.
- Ability to interact and gain support from constituencies outside the university such as business and industry, state and federal agencies and non-profit and private foundations.
- Computer literacy (proficiency in MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Office).
- Strong oral and written communication skills as well as strong interpersonal skills.
- Ability to handle multiple demands and set priorities.
- Ability to think critically, solve problems and navigate complex situations professionally.
- Experience planning, implementing, marketing and evaluating educational programs for small scale agriculture.
- Experience working in community-based non-formal education settings.
- Experience working with or managing volunteers, especially in an agricultural or educational setting.
Required License or Certification
Is this position eligible for a remote or hybrid work arrangement, consistent with university and state policies.
On-site (Employees are primarily in the office and/or have a critical job requirement that requires dedicated office space on-site)
