A voice in the Mid-Atlantic agricultural setting for more than twenty years, Future Harvest has
deep roots in the work of advancing agriculture that sustains farmers, serves communities, and
protects the environment. Through education, networking, advocacy, and research, Future
Harvest is committed to helping build a sustainable and equitable Chesapeake foodshed. Future
Harvest’s foodshed, encompassing everything from the Blue Ridge to the Chesapeake Bay, is
diverse, and includes stakeholders as varied as urban micro-farms and large-scale rural operators,
DC chefs and off-the-grid homesteaders. The challenges they all face as they try to feed their
communities and support their families, to access land or steward what they already manage, are
manifold and defy easy solutions. Future Harvest works to bridge those gaps, finding the
common threads that unite this diverse group while also providing the tailored support that such
disparate operations and communities need.
The Coronavirus pandemic made plain the importance of a resilient and crisis-ready food system
and the many ways that our status quo falls short, especially for marginalized members of our
society. Future Harvest is stepping creatively into that breach, working to address historical
discrimination in agriculture, land access, and food systems through both programming and
internal operations. Pandemic aside, farming has never been easy and as climate change
accelerates the natural unpredictability of weather, Future Harvest is also working to provide
farmers of all stripes with risk management strategies, market opportunities, and a wider voice in
the national conversation about the climate emergency. The work is ongoing, but Future Harvest
stands ready to serve.
At this moment of possibility and exigence, Future Harvest seeks an experienced, accomplished
director to lead in effecting our current strategic plan and in visioning its next iteration. This
dynamic and humble leader will be a community builder -- both within the organization and in
the region -- diversifying Future Harvest's funding streams, reimagining organizational and board
workflow, and centering economic and racial justice in our work and practices, while cultivating
and maintaining our role as allies of sustainable farmers in the Chesapeake region.
Specific job duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and application instructions below.
The executive director is responsible for managing all aspects of the organization and will report
to the board of directors. The position is remote but based in the Chesapeake region.
Strategic Planning and Execution
● Work with the board and staff to set and align all stakeholders (board, staff, key funders,
and partners) on the organization’s strategic goals and translate that into specific
operational plans, objectives, and a budget
● Oversee planning, organizing, and directing membership recruitment and retention
programs
● Integrate equity and inclusion into the strategic plan with clear, meaningful metrics
Culture and Human Relations
● Hire, organize, direct, and coordinate Future Harvest staff, programs, and activities to
ensure strategic plan objectives are obtained
● Manage a geographically dispersed staff, appropriately shifting between staff autonomy
and managerial oversight
● Create and promote a positive, productive work culture with clear communication,
up-front expectations, and effective staff on-boarding
● Ensure and grow efforts to attract, listen to, and incorporate diverse voices across
organizational efforts
Fundraising
● Attend to and grow existing relationships with major donors and foundations, while
cultivating new connections and diversifying revenue streams
● Oversee fundraising activities such as farm to table dinners and conference sponsorships
● Comfortably navigate and strategize grant applications, particularly at the federal level
Financial Operations, Governance, Legal
● Work with the finance committee of the board to develop an annual budget for the
organization
● Utilize Customer Relationship Management tools to grow membership and track donors
● Manage the budget and ensure the financial health and sustainability of the organization
● Provide timely, accurate, and complete reports on the state of the organization, oversee
annual audit and federal/state submissions, and ensure legal and tax compliance
Professional Qualifications
● Demonstrated success in executive non-profit management
● Familiarity with digital philanthropic tools
● Successful background in program development, board development, and staff leadership
and management
● Intellectual leadership, as evidenced by a track record of forward-looking anticipatory
thinking and the development of long term strategies and vision for the future, especially
with an emphasis on inclusion and innovation
● The ability to forge pragmatic, collaborative solutions in spaces of ambiguity and
complexity
● Experience serving as an ambassador and connector for an organization
● Strong written and oral communication skills
The salary range for this position is $85,000-$95,000, depending on experience. Future Harvest
offers fringe benefits to help cover health care premiums, retirement contributions, and
equipment maintenance. Future Harvest is an equal opportunity employer.
Please use the form at https://www.futureharvestcasa.org/about/were-hiring to submit a resume,
writing sample, references, and a letter of interest. Applications will be considered on a rolling
basis, though earlier applications may receive priority consideration.