Farmhearts Fellowship Available to Beginning Farmers in the Catskills Region

WALTON, NY - Farmhearts is sponsoring a fellowship in collaboration with the Farm to Market Program of the Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC).  The fellow will work with the Farm to Market Program and focus on beginning farmer programming. 

The mission of Farmhearts is to preserve the environmental integrity and economic sustainability of agricultural regions by supporting family farms.  WAC is a private non-profit organization with the mission to support the economic viability of agriculture and forestry through the protection of water quality and the promotion of land conservation in the New York City watershed region.  The Farm to Market Program of WAC administers the Pure Catskills buy local campaign, organizes events on value-added production, and facilitates business connections between farm and food businesses.  Over 200 businesses from Delaware, Greene, Otsego, Schoharie, Sullivan and Ulster counties participate in the Pure Catskills campaign.

Eligible candidates include apprentice farmers, proprietors of recently established agricultural businesses and emerging professionals in the local food marketplace. Individuals may apply by providing a personal statement and a resume. The statement should address agricultural experience, communications skills, familiarity with the agricultural community in the Catskills region and the individual’s future goals related to agriculture.  Applications will be accepted until October 31, 2012.  The anticipated start date for the fellow is mid-November. A position description and fellowship information are available at the Career Opportunities section of www.nycwatershed.org. All applications and inquiries should be directed to Amy Hawk, Administrative Services Director, at amyhawk@nycwatershed.org. No phone calls please. 

Fiscal sponsorship for Farmhearts is provided by the Sullivan Alliance for Sustainable Development (www.sullivanalliance.org).  For more information about Farmhearts contact info@farmhearts.org.  WAC is funded by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other public, foundation and private sources. WAC is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.  For more information about WAC, visit www.nycwatershed.org.