Virginia Farm Bureau Federation (VFBF) and its affiliated nonprofit, the Virginia Foundation for Agriculture, Innovation and Rural Sustainability (VAFAIRS), are seeking a motivated VAFAIRS Specialist based in Richmond, Virginia. This entry-level role works directly with agricultural producers, rural entrepreneurs, and agribusinesses across Virginia — providing technical assistance, developing business plans, writing grant applications, supporting value-added marketing projects, and serving as a key face of VAFAIRS in the community. If you are passionate about agriculture, rural economic development, and making a tangible difference for Virginia’s farming communities, this is your opportunity.
About Virginia Farm Bureau & VAFAIRS
Virginia Farm Bureau Federation (VFBF): Virginia’s largest nonprofit agricultural advocacy organization — founded in 1926 to protect and advance the interests of Virginia farmers
VAFAIRS Mission: A nonprofit dedicated to advancing economic opportunities in agriculture and rural communities across the Commonwealth of Virginia
Services Offered: Technical assistance, business planning, feasibility studies, grant application support, and market access development for farmers and agribusinesses
Community Focus: Connecting rural producers with expertise, resources, and networks to improve profitability and quality of life across Virginia
Affiliation: VAFAIRS is a Farm Bureau affiliated organization with deep roots across Virginia’s agricultural regions
Why This Is a Meaningful Career Opportunity
Real Community Impact: Directly support Virginia farmers, rural entrepreneurs, and agribusinesses in building more profitable and sustainable operations
Professional Development: Paid training, continuing education reimbursement, and ongoing job development support from day one
Hybrid Flexibility: In-office role with hybrid schedule eligibility after a 6-month probationary period based on performance and business needs
Mission-Driven Work: Join Virginia’s most respected farm advocacy organization and make a lasting impact on rural economic sustainability
Position Overview
The VAFAIRS Specialist at Virginia Farm Bureau in Richmond is a dynamic, client-facing role at the intersection of agricultural development, rural entrepreneurship, and economic innovation. Working under the Director of VAFAIRS, you will identify structural changes affecting producer profitability, provide leadership and education to producer groups pursuing direct and value-added marketing, develop business plans, conduct data analysis, write grant applications, and prepare professional presentations. As the face of VAFAIRS in Virginia’s agricultural communities, you will engage diverse clientele across the state — in person, by phone, and through written communications — helping farmers and rural entrepreneurs turn their ideas into viable, profitable enterprises.
Why This Role Matters: As VAFAIRS Specialist, you are the bridge between Virginia’s agricultural producers and the resources, expertise, and market opportunities they need to thrive. Whether you are helping a farmer develop a value-added marketing strategy, writing a grant application for a rural agribusiness, or facilitating a producer group workshop, your work directly strengthens Virginia’s agricultural economy and the rural communities that depend on it. This is purpose-driven work with measurable, lasting impact.
Key Responsibilities
Agricultural Market Analysis & Producer Support
- Assist with the identification of structural changes in agricultural production, marketing, finance, and the rural economy that could directly affect producer profitability across Virginia
- Provide leadership and expertise to producer groups engaged in direct marketing, value-added agricultural projects, entrepreneurial activities, and rural development initiatives
- Help motivate diverse clientele pursuing new agricultural enterprises — facilitating proposal development so producers can aggressively pursue value-added marketing, renewable energy, and related niche market opportunities
Education, Outreach & Community Engagement
- Provide educational opportunities to inform producers of market opportunities that could improve their income and profitability, and actively encourage broad producer participation in VAFAIRS programs
- Develop compelling presentations to stimulate participation of private and public technical and financial resources in direct marketing, value-added agriculture, renewable energy, and rural community development projects
- Conduct client interactions in-person, by phone, and through email — serving as a professional and approachable representative of VAFAIRS across Virginia’s diverse agricultural communities
Business Planning, Grant Writing & Technical Assistance
- Research, collect, verify, and analyze data from both industry sources and client information to develop grant applications and other written funding proposals
- Work directly with clients and VAFAIRS personnel to develop and implement a wide variety of value-added agricultural project strategies tailored to each producer’s specific needs and goals
- Prepare, develop, or modify business plans, feasibility studies, marketing plans, grant applications, and other professional documents to support producer and rural community success
Data Analysis, Reporting & Strategic Support
- Illustrate technical agricultural and financial data graphically and translate analytical findings into clear, professional written reports and presentations for clients and stakeholders
- Assist with the facilitation and execution of the VAFAIRS strategic plan to advance the foundation’s mission of economic empowerment for Virginia’s agricultural and rural communities
- Support internal staff with the State Fair of Virginia Exhibit Committee and Virginia Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Women’s Leadership Programs as needed
Qualifications & Requirements
Educational Requirements
- College degree or equivalent work experience is required for this entry-level specialist position
- Preferred degree in Agriculture, Economics, Finance, Agri-Business, Rural Development, Food Systems, or a closely related field
Experience Requirements
- Experience in agricultural commodities, food or commodity marketing, and/or rural economic development is valued and advantageous
- Prior exposure to grant writing, business plan development, feasibility studies, or agricultural technical assistance programs is a strong plus
Minimum Skills
- Working knowledge of agricultural production, commodity or food marketing, or financial analysis within an agricultural or rural development context
- Excellent oral and written communication skills — ability to engage professionally with farmers, rural entrepreneurs, partner organizations, and government stakeholders
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite — specifically Word, Excel, and PowerPoint — for documentation, data analysis, and presentation preparation
- Strong research, analytical, and organizational skills with meticulous attention to accuracy and detail in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment
- Motivated self-starter with the ability to work both collaboratively across diverse, multidisciplinary teams and independently with purpose, initiative, and precision
Benefits & Compensation Package
✅ Medical & Dental Insurance — Available from your very first day of employment
✅ Generous 401K Contribution — Excellent employer retirement contribution from day one
✅ Paid Time Off (PTO) — Excellent PTO plan with generous leave allowances
✅ Paid Training & Continuing Education — Reimbursement for professional development and certifications
✅ Ongoing Job Development — Structured support and career growth in all roles
✅ Hybrid Schedule Eligible — After a 6-month probationary period based on performance and business needs
About Virginia Farm Bureau Federation & VAFAIRS
Virginia Farm Bureau Federation (VFBF), founded in 1926, is the largest nonprofit agricultural advocacy organization in the Commonwealth of Virginia — a non-governmental, nonpartisan, voluntary organization committed to protecting Virginia’s farms and the families who run them. VAFAIRS, its affiliated foundation, is dedicated to advancing economic opportunities in agriculture and rural communities through technical assistance, business planning, grant support, and market development — empowering farmers, agribusinesses, and rural entrepreneurs to build more sustainable, profitable, and innovative operations across Virginia.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Virginia Farm Bureau Companies provide equal employment opportunity in all aspects of employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, pregnancy, age, disability, orientation, or veteran status.
Who Should Apply?
- Agriculture & Economics Graduates: Entry-level candidates with a passion for rural development, agricultural marketing, and community economic empowerment in Virginia
- Grant Writers & Business Planners: With experience or strong interest in agricultural grant writing, feasibility studies, and business development for farming operations
- Agri-Business Professionals: Seeking a purpose-driven role at Virginia’s largest agricultural advocacy organization with meaningful community impact
- Rural Development Specialists: With knowledge of Virginia’s agricultural landscape, commodity markets, value-added food systems, or renewable energy opportunities
- Community-Focused Communicators: Strong writers and presenters who can engage diverse agricultural audiences — from small family farms to rural entrepreneurs and public stakeholders
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