Join us for an on-farm workshop at Homecoming Seeds! This immersive workshop will cover the skills needed to start or expand your seed-growing and seed-saving practices.
Farmers and growers (including home gardeners) are welcome, and we will be covering concepts that cover introductory to advanced seed growing and seed saving skills.
Learn how thoughtful design and smart planning can make a farm stand more inviting and profitable. This on-farm workshop covers effective merchandising, product mix, and ways to create a smooth, customer-friendly experience.
We’ll explore partnering with other farms to broaden your offerings, as well as options for payment systems like SNAP and Farm Stand Match. Attendees will visit two nearby farm stands to compare different setups, including staffed and self-serve models. Walk away with practical ideas to strengthen your stand and better connect with customers.
Diversity can be a powerful approach to increasing farm resilience. Adding agroforestry systems to your farm can diversify enterprises, provide alternative fodder, improve soil health, and increase water quality and resilience.
Join Breadtree Farms, who manages 800 acres in the Upper Hudson Valley and Southwest Vermont, to learn how they are stewarding 20,000+ food-producing trees and shrubs—including chestnut, hickory, oak, seaberry, apple, pear, mulberry, and persimmon—in orchards grazed by sheep and cattle.
Join us at Rebop Farm for this day-long workshop, where participants will learn the basics of tractor maintenance. In the morning, we’ll learn how to conduct daily fluid checks, explore the components and systems in the engine, and cover how the entire tractor functions, including the hydraulic system, transmission, clutch, and power take-off (PTO).
Too much water in some places and not enough in others? Managing this common situation for Vermont farmers is becoming more important as the climate changes. Join farmer Makail Tipton and UVM’s Joshua Faulkner, Director of UVM Extension’s Center for Sustainable Agriculture, for an afternoon at Firefly Farm at Burke Hollow to understand how soils and landscape influence drainage issues and water supply constraints.
Farmers and homesteaders of all scales, join for a workshop to learn about and see silvopasture in action at Wild Roots Farm. Farmer Jon Turner will explain how they've integrated livestock and crops, building up their soil organic matter through rotational grazing and biomass.
Do you dream of starting a land-based community, connected to the seasons, with the capacity to grow food together and feed your neighbors? Join us at Living Tree Alliance to explore your vision, connect with others who have similar dreams, and grow your understanding of the process to go from dream to reality.
Food Hub Logistics Specialist
Position Title: Food Hub Logistics Specialist (FHLS)
Supervisor: General Operations Manager
Employee Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt
We value diversity in all its forms and strive to have our employment practices reflect that. We are an equal opportunity workplace and will not discriminate on the basis of disability or other legally protected categories. If an employee has a disability that makes it difficult to perform their job duties, they are encouraged to notify us to discuss reasonable accommodations.
The Food Hub Logistics Specialist (FHLS) coordinates the day-to-day logistics and routing operations of the Food Connects Food Hub to ensure the safe, timely, and undamaged flow of Food Hub products. Operating at the intersection of planning and execution, the FHLS translates established route structures into optimized daily schedules, directing driver workflow and serving as the primary operational point of contact across internal teams, producers, and customers. This is a hands-on, detail-oriented role well suited to someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and takes ownership of the moving pieces that keep daily distribution running smoothly.
Attention to Communication: The ability to ensure that information is passed on to others who should be kept informed, including drivers on the road, internal teams, producers, and customers.
Task Management: Can prioritize tasks and work toward their completion through tracking details and progress and, when needed, toggling between different projects or assignments.
Time Management: Can organize time for optimum efficacy with regard to deadlines, collaboration, competing priorities, and personal work style.
Forward Thinking: The ability to anticipate the implications and consequences of daily operational situations and take appropriate action — for example, proactively preparing seasonal route adjustments well in advance.
Flexibility: Openness to different and new ways of doing things; willingness to adapt quickly when routes, orders, or circumstances change.
Build and manage daily route schedules in OptimoRoute, including optimized stop sequencing for each driver and route.
Prepare and distribute all daily distribution paperwork, including route sheets and driver-facing logistics documents generated through NetSuite.
Serve as the primary point of contact for drivers and partners on the road: communicate route information, relay ETAs, and troubleshoot any issues that arise during the course of a route.
Communicate with warehouse, sales, and procurement teams on order changes, adjustments, substitutions, and distribution errors as they occur.
Maintain accurate and organized records of distribution and routing in NetSuite.
Coordinate with the Fleet & Facilities team to account for scheduled vehicle maintenance and inspections when building daily route assignments.
Proactively prepare for known upcoming changes to route logistics, such as seasonal schedule shifts or holiday adjustments, in coordination with the General Operations Manager.
Monitor, track, and record food safety-related processes and information required for distribution compliance records.
Support the development and maintenance of standard operating procedures (SOPs) related to routing and distribution.
Identify and surface opportunities to improve daily routing efficiency and workflow; communicate suggestions to the General Operations Manager.
Assist with administrative and operational coordination as directed.
Cover driving routes as needed to ensure continuity of operations.
Ensure the safe, timely, and undamaged pickup and delivery of all Food Hub products.
Inspect and verify the complete contents and quality of all Food Hub products during pickup and communicate any shortages or quality issues promptly.
Track and record mileage, hours, and other pertinent route information.
Fill in for other staff when needed.
Greet and assist visitors to the Food Hub, including producers, customers, drivers, and service personnel.
Attend occasional paid off-hours meetings and events (with plenty of advance notice).
Attend regular one-on-one check-ins with the General Operations Manager to seek and provide proactive and constructive feedback.
Engage in annual self-review and peer-review processes as required.
Other duties as needed to assist Food Connects in fulfilling its mission.
The ideal candidate has availability during the hours below and is available to work between 32-40 hours per week over the course of the week. This position is likely to work 5 regular scheduled shifts, approximately 8 hours each, depending on the needs of the candidate and the Food Hub.
Monday: 8AM - 4:30PM
Tues: 8AM - 4:30PM
Weds: 8AM - 4:30PM
Thurs: 8AM - 4:30PM
Fri: 8AM - 4:30PM
Working Conditions & Physical Demands
Food Connects will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals to perform the essential functions of their work to the degree we are able to do so.
The position is based in the Food Connects Food Hub facility in Brattleboro, VT.
This is a hands-on, in-person role. Duties take place across office/desk workstation, warehouse environment, and delivery vehicles as needed. Remote work opportunities are minimal.
Evening and weekend work may occasionally be required, with plenty of advance notice.
Extensive use of a desktop or laptop computer, sitting or standing at a workstation.
Ability to repeatedly lift and move products (up to 50 lbs) as needed.
Ability and willingness to drive delivery vans and cargo trucks as needed.
Ability to drive continuously for a full workday.
Ability to work and drive in variable weather conditions.
1–3 years of experience in one or more of the following: logistics or distribution operations, general office or administrative coordination, project or workflow coordination, farming or food production, or a related field. Some professional experience in the food industry is strongly preferred.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills: in person, over the phone, by email, and text.
Strong organizational skills and a natural inclination for keeping accurate, detailed records.
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple time-sensitive tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
General technical proficiency with G Suite, Slack, and spreadsheet software.
Ability to learn and incorporate new tools and technology into a work plan.
Reliable cell phone.
At least 3 professional references.
Existing relationships with or knowledge of food producers in VT, NH, MA, and the broader New England region.
Strong knowledge of vegetables, fruits, dairy, meats, value-added products, and other regionally produced foods.
Familiarity with the geographical area of Food Connects’ delivery services (Vermont, Southern NH, and Western Massachusetts).
Experience with NetSuite for order and distribution management, and/or OptimoRoute or similar route optimization software.
Knowledge of basic food safety regulations; food safety training a plus.
Valid driver’s license and comfort operating cargo vans or larger vehicles.
General knowledge of the sustainable food and agriculture sector.
This is an hourly, non-exempt position
Beginning at $22.25 hourly. Negotiable depending on experience.
The following benefits are offered after a 90-day introductory period:
Paid time off: vacation, sick, personal, and holiday leave
Health & Wellness Stipend of up to $3,000 annually
Short-term disability insurance (for employees working 20+ hours p/week)
Life insurance (for employees working 20+ hours p/week)
Access to vision and dental insurance
15% employee discount on food purchases.
2% employer retirement contribution
Through his Moon & Stars project, Nando Jaramillo has been connecting community, traditional food, and regenerative farming through heirloom corn and the arepa-making process. Nando has been working with Willie Gibson, CCA, agronomist with the White River NRCD, for several years to improve soil health on the land he leases for growing heritage corn, as well as through on-farm trials hosted in partnership with Tip Top Tree Crops.
Position Title: Food Hub Administrative Coordinator - Sales and Procurement
Supervisor: Business Development Manager
Employee Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt, Hourly
Food Connects is an equal-opportunity workplace and will not discriminate on the basis of disability or other legally protected categories. If an employee has a disability that makes it difficult to perform their job duties, they are encouraged to notify us to discuss reasonable accommodations.
Food Connects is a nonprofit organization based in Brattleboro, VT. We distribute regional foods through our Food Hub, provide educational and consulting services to bring producers to market, and inspire kids to love local foods through our Farm to School Program. We partner with producers and customers across Vermont, New Hampshire, and Western Massachusetts to support a vibrant local food system.
This Administrative Coordinator position works within the Business Development Department, providing the Sales and Procurement Teams with vital backend support, assisting with various administrative tasks, and providing excellent customer service to Food Hub customers and vendors.
They’ll work with our team to continuously evolve and develop seasonal sales strategies, promote new brands and products, and help build relationships with our partners.
Customer Orientation: The ability to demonstrate concern for satisfying one’s external and/or internal customers.
Initiative: Independently Identify and resolve needs and issues before being asked.
Results Orientation: The ability to focus on the desired result of one’s own or one’s unit’s work, setting challenging goals, focusing effort on the goals, and meeting or exceeding them.
Thoroughness: Ensuring that one’s own and others’ work and information (if required) are complete and accurate; carefully preparing for meetings and presentations; following up with others to ensure that agreements and commitments have been fulfilled.
Task Management: Can prioritize tasks and work toward their completion through tracking details and progress and, when needed, toggling between different projects or assignments.
Balancing Team and Individual Needs: Ability to work cohesively within a team environment while independently managing one’s own duties and responsibilities.
Processing sales orders, order substitutions and shorts, credits and other sales/proc administrative processes.
Assist Sales Specialists with customer relationship management, time-sensitive customer outreach, sales coverage and new customer inquiries.
Provides excellent customer service; always reachable (during business hours) by a customer in need, by email and phone.
Offers prompt conflict resolution to customers and alerts other teammates and departments of issues as needed.
Assist Sales Specialists with preparations for customers visits.
Coordinates with vendors and customers on promotions and store demonstrations.
Provide support to the finance team regarding customer receivables.
Assists the Business Development Team with other tasks as assigned.
Helps maintain a database of customer notes and developments.
Participates in team product samplings to evaluate potential new products and vendors.
Promotes sales growth by enhancing existing relationships with customers & understanding the varied needs of our diverse customer base.
Assists in developing sales plans, strategies and monthly promos.
Helps identify target customers and markets, as well as products and categories.
Maintains up-to-date knowledge regarding current marketplace trends and local seasonal availability.
Assist Procurement Team with maintenance of product listings, ensuring that item descriptions and images are complete and up to date.
Assist with coordination of shorts/subs for JIT/Fresh List items.
Assist Procurement Specialist with coordination of vendor promotions, billbacks, and reporting.
Assist Procurement Team with review and follow up of new vendor inquiries
Assist with vendor purchase orders as needed.
Fill in for other staff in the Business Development team when needed.
Assist with recruiting, hiring, and training new employees, as needed
Occasional paid off-hours meetings and events (with plenty of advance notice).
Other duties as needed to assist Food Connects in fulfilling its mission.
This position is expected to work a 40-hour week, with work hours falling between Monday-Friday, 7:00 am-5:00 pm. The Sales Team will stagger times to ensure full coverage during standard business hours. The schedule should resemble:
Monday:7:30AM-4:00PM
Tues: 9:00AM-5:00PM
Weds: 7:30AM-4:00PM
Thurs: 9:00AM-5:00PM
Fri: 8:00AM-3:00PM
This position is a hybrid role requiring 3 office days at our facility in Brattleboro, VT.
Some federal holidays (those that fall on Mondays), may require at least part-time work. Adequate advance notice will be provided.
This position entails extensive use of a laptop computer, sitting or standing at a desk workstation.
1 to 2 years’ experience in one or more of the following types of roles:
Sales
General administration
Project management
Other applicable lived experience
Strong technical skills with computers, spreadsheets, emails, and digital business management tools such as: G-suite, Excel, Slack, Asana, and customer relationship management (CRM) software.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
Excellent customer service skills.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to keep detailed records.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to learn and incorporate new tools and technology into a work plan.
Reliable transportation for getting to headquarters in Brattleboro, VT.
Valid driver’s license.
Working experience in the food industry strongly preferred.
Knowledge of veggies, fruits, dairy, meats, value-added products and other locally-produced foods.
Knowledge of food producers and retailers in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Western MA.
Strong data analysis / business intelligence skills.
Familiarity with the geographical area of our delivery services (Vermont, New Hampshire, and Western Massachusetts)
Experience with E-commerce and enterprise resource planning (ERP) software for food sales and distribution.
Knowledge of food safety regulations.
This is a full-time, non-exempt position, expected to work 40 hours/week.
Hourly, beginning at $20.00 per hour. Negotiable depending on experience.
The following benefits are offered:
Up to 27 days accrued paid time off.
15% employee discount on food purchases.
After 90-day introductory period:
$3,000/year Health&Wellness Stipend
Short-term disability insurance
Life insurance
Access to vision and dental insurance
2% employer retirement contribution, no employee contribution required.
