Homefield Farms Instructor

Job Description

The School of Plant and Environmental Sciences (https://spes.vt.edu/) in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Virginia Tech is inviting applications for an Instructor position (12-month CY) located in Blacksburg, VA. The incumbent will be expected to teach undergraduate classes in sustainable agriculture practices and vegetable farming. The incumbent will also serve as the manager of Homefield Farm at Virginia Tech (https://dining.vt.edu/sustainability/homefieldfarm.html). Homefield Farm is a six-acre certified organic farm which operates as a cooperative partnership between CALS and Virginia Tech Dining Services. In managing Homefield Farm, the incumbent will manage all aspects of planning, crop production as well as the management of the facilities, student participants and other personnel.

The incumbent will teach the Sustainable Agriculture Practices and Farm Market Field Study classes. The incumbent will manage Homefield Farm. Management of Homefield Farms responsibilities will include, planning, budgeting, production, harvest of crops, tractor operation, management of personnel and students working at the farm, and coordinating communications between CALS and Dining Services. The incumbent will also be expected to maintain the USDA organic and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certifications.

Required Qualifications

Candidates for this position must have: 1) a M.S. degree in Horticulture, Crop Science, or closely related field; 2) experience with vegetable crop production in field and/or high tunnel systems; 3) good communication and interpersonal skills; and 4) a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values at Virginia Tech in the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences. Our excellence can only be fully realized by faculty, students, and staff who share our commitment to these values. Successful candidates for our faculty positions will demonstrate evidence of a commitment to advancing equity and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred qualifications include: 1) classroom teaching experience; 2) budget management experience; 3) supervisory experience; 4) success in grant writing and securing extramural funding; 5) ability to operate a tractor and use implements; and 6) experience in organic production.

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

Commensurate with experience

Review Date

11/27/2020

Additional Information

The successful Candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges , a school of medicine , a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School , and Honors College . The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers . A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Joshua Kardos at jhkardos@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.

Advertised: November 5, 2020
Applications close: