Benefits:

401(k)

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Paid time off

Cultivating Hope: Coordinator of Agriculture Cooperative Planning and Development

Join a Legacy of Transformation in Alabama's Black Belt

For over 80 years, The Edmundite Missions has walked alongside the people of Selma and surrounding communities, not just witnessing their struggles but actively participating in their triumphs. Now, we invite you to become part of a visionary initiative that will transform lives across the Black Belt of Alabama—a region rich in history and potential, yet historically challenged by persistent poverty and limited economic opportunity.

A Seed of Hope Taking Root

Over the past three years, we've witnessed something remarkable: small-holder Black farmers in Lowndes, Wilcox, and Perry counties transforming their lives through increased agricultural capacity. Families who once struggled to make ends meet are now seeing meaningful increases in income. Children are growing up watching their parents build sustainable livelihoods from the rich soil of their ancestors. Communities are beginning to envision a future where economic dignity is possible.

But this is just the beginning.

From Individual Success to Collective Transformation

As the Coordinator of Agriculture Cooperative Planning and Development, you won't just be filling a position, you'll be nurturing a movement. You'll lead the evolution from our current farmer-by-farmer approach, which has already empowered 13 farmers, to a sustainable, institutionalized cooperative that will uplift dozens more across a wider geographic area.

Imagine the profound impact: Families who have farmed this land for generations finally receiving fair value for their labor. Children seeing viable futures in the communities where they were born. Elders passing down not just agricultural wisdom but also economic stability to the next generation.

Building a Legacy That Will Outlast Us All

This isn't just about creating another program, it's about birthing an institution that will stand on its own. Over four years, you'll establish a cooperative agricultural structure that will eventually spin off from the Edmundite Missions as an independent entity, creating a legacy of empowerment that will continue for generations.

You'll develop innovative approaches to emerging agricultural technologies, ensuring that Black Belt farmers aren't just participants in the agricultural economy but leaders in its future. You'll create a purchasing collaborative that connects these farmers directly to institutional buyers, building sustainable markets that value their contributions.

The Heart Behind the Strategy

While this position requires strategic thinking and operational excellence, it demands something even more fundamental: a heart that beats in rhythm with the communities we serve. You'll walk dusty farm roads alongside farmers whose families have worked this land for generations. You'll sit at kitchen tables and listen to stories of struggle and resilience. You'll celebrate harvests that represent not just crops but renewed hope.

Every policy you develop, every partnership you forge, every system you implement will be guided by a profound respect for the dignity of those we serve. Your work will embody our Catholic mission of seeing Christ in every person and serving the poorest with unwavering commitment.

The Ripple Effect of Your Leadership

The impact of your work will extend far beyond the farmers directly involved in the cooperative:

• Children will grow up seeing entrepreneurship and economic dignity as attainable realities
• Families will experience improved nutrition through greater access to fresh, local produce
• Communities will benefit from dollars circulating locally rather than flowing out to distant corporations
• The region will showcase a model of sustainable, community-centered economic development
• Future generations will inherit not just land, but viable agricultural businesses and the skills to sustain them

Join Us in This Sacred Work

If you possess the technical expertise in agricultural institutional design, the entrepreneurial spirit to solve complex problems, and most importantly, a heart that resonates with our mission of serving with respect and dignity, we invite you to join us in this transformative work.

This position isn't just a job—it's a calling to participate in the healing of a region, the empowerment of a people, and the creation of economic justice where it has too long been denied.

Education & Experience:

• BA in business, organizational behavior or related field; MA or MBA preferred
• Experience in agricultural institutional design and management with technical knowledge of agriculture and markets
• Demonstrated achievements in creating and maintaining businesses, nonprofit organizations, or programs
• Valid driver's license and willingness to submit to a background check
• Most importantly: a profound respect for the teachings of the Catholic Church and commitment to serving the poorest with dignity

Join us in writing the next chapter of hope in Alabama's Black Belt.