Northeast Organic Farmers Association (NOFA) Massachusetts position

[Guest guest]

Organic Dairy Survival Position with NOFA/Massachusetts

NOFA/Mass has been working effectively on making raw milk available

to consumers and helping farmers work out the details of production. We would

like to take this work to the next step and help stem the tide of the loss of

dairies in the state by working with farmers to overcome barriers, convert to

organic methods, and investigate new marketing opportunities. We are posting a

position to do the following:

From May 15 to August 15:

a.. Contact Massachusetts dairy farmers to assess needs

b.. Compile data on the state of the Massachusetts dairy industry

c.. Research successful models in organic dairy production in the NE

d.. Network with other organizations in Mass working on the dairy issue

e.. Investigate barriers to organic conversion in Mass

f.. Investigate markets for organic dairies in Mass

g.. Investigate the regulatory barriers for small animal based farms in Mass

h.. Become familiar with cooperative purchasing and marketing efforts in place

in Mass

This job will entail some strategic visits, phone calls, and internet connection

with farmers, other NOFA chapters, the Northeast Organic Dairy Producer's

Alliance, Weston A Price foundation, the Massachusetts Department of

Agricultural Resources and advocacy organizations. It will require compilation

of past NOFA/Mass work done on this issue and regulatory research. The job

candidate must be self-starting, able to do some travel, and have first hand

knowledge of farming, hopefully dairy farming in one's personal background. By

August 15 the person must put together a comprehensive report of information

gathered and provide an analysis of how NOFA/Mass could best tackle this issue

starting in the fall of 2005. This research position could easily be a precursor

to taking on the defined organic diary survival position in the fall.

Send your resume and cover letter along with three references to

Rawson, NOFA/Massachusetts, 411 Sheldon Road, Barre, MA 01005,

@... by May 1, 2005. Questions, call (978) 355-2853. NOFA/Mass

consultants start at $10.50/hour. The position is for up to 250 hours ($2625)

with expenses of up to $875.