BRWIA: Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture

Farmers Market Assistant

Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture seeks a Farmers Market Assistant to support the development and operation of the King Street Farmers Market, a thriving year round farmers market (May-October, December-March), and assist in operating Double Up Food Bucks, Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture’s healthy food incentive program.

The Organization:

Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture (BRWIA) is a women-led non-profit organization that strives to build an equitable, sustainable High Country food system. Our mission is to support producers and to cultivate community connections that educate, inspire, and increase the demand for local food. We began as a grassroots project in 2003 by a group of women farmers and gardeners who were looking for supportive, knowledge-sharing networks. We remain dedicated to supporting women in leadership roles even as we serve the entire High Country community.

BRWIA operates the High Country Food Hub, the weekday and winter King Street Farmers’ Market, Local Food as Medicine (LocalFAM), and the Blue Ridge Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT). BRWIA also coordinates various programs that increase demand for and equitable access to local food and producers’ ability to sustainably meet that demand. These include a Double Up Food Bucks program and events such as seasonal producer workshops.

We are based in downtown Boone, NC, and serve the surrounding region.

Purpose of the Farmers Market Assistant:

To support operations of the King Street Farmers Market, create and share marketing materials promoting the market.

The Position:

• Assist in day-of market operations (6-7 hrs/week)
  • Set up and break down of market
  • Run Double Up Food Bucks transactions and assist customers in using their benefits
  • Support intern and volunteer management
  • Vendor communications and distribution of vendor sales record keeping packets
  • Sell BRWIA merchandise
  • Customer communications and assistance
  • Social media management and content creation
  • Interact directly with vendors at the market as well as market customers, and provide customer support in person and via email.
• Event Planning (2-3 hrs/week)
  • Scheduling and management of market musicians, community organizations, cooking demonstrations, and select monthly special events
  • Connect with local organizations and conduct new and creative events
  • Assist in planning events at the market, as well as additional fundraising opportunities and Double Up Food Bucks related outreach events
  • Design and facilitate Kid’s Activity each week, with support of seasonal interns
• Data Management (1-2 hrs/week)
  • Record weekly data from market day, including customer count, all booth transactions, vendor reporting, and reporting all Double Up Food Bucks transactions and use of program
  • Work with BRWIA Finance Coordinator to manage payments for musicians and special events
• Advertising and Social Media (2-3 hrs/week)
  • Support Market Manager in creation of content and graphics for King Street Farmers’ Market social media, including writing the weekly newsletter throughout the season, and writing press releases
  • Maintain good rapport with staff and the public.
  • Assist in management of seasonal interns and volunteers

The Candidate:

The ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal skills and be comfortable working and conversing with the public and local farmers/producers at a farmers market. They are able to work in a fast-paced and physically demanding environment on a weekly basis. They are detail oriented, organized, and able to successfully plan events. The position will work closely with the Farmers Market & Double Up Food Bucks Manager, Communications & Marketing Coordinator, volunteers, and Interns.

The King Street Farmers Market location changes based on market seasons.

• The summer market on Tuesday evenings from 3:30 - 6:30pm is located in the grassy field outside of the Watauga County Health Department.
• The winter market is inside the Watauga Agricultural Extension Building on Saturdays from 10:00am - 1:00pm.
• Both markets are located in downtown Boone. The King Street Farmers Market Assistant will be expected to work at the market locations as well as the BRWIA office, 969 W King St.

The ideal candidate will support the King Street Farmers Market as it grows to strategically ensure greater access to local food in the High Country.

Qualification requirements:

• Strong attention to detail and highly organized
• Strong verbal and written communication skills using all modes of electronic communications including text messages, email and phone
• Understanding of social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook
• Proficiency in Google Sheets
• Ability to lift and pull 20+ pounds frequently
• Ability to carry 30+ pounds of sometimes bulky items over a short distance (i.e. tents)
• Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions
• Must be available on the following days/times (depending on market season):
  • Tuesday 2:00 pm-7:30 pm May - October (5.5hr)
  • Saturday 8:00 am-2:00 pm December-March (6hr)
  • Additional Office day/days for additional tasks (8-10 hrs)

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Familiarity with Canva or other graphic design programs
• Experience with customer service and/or point of sale machines
• Experience with volunteer management and coordination
• Familiarity with local farms and businesses in the area or the willingness to learn
• Familiarity with the High Country local food system
• Experience with outreach or fundraising efforts

Compensation: $16.50/hour for 15-20 hours/week

Application Instructions: Send as a PDF a cover letter, resume, list of two references to farmersmarkets@brwia.org

Applications will be accepted until the position has been filled.

Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, political beliefs, creed, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable law.

Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture encourages Black, Indigenous, and people of color; LGBTQ+ people; veterans; people with disabilities; people who have been formerly incarcerated; and members of other underrepresented or underserved groups to apply.