The Regenerative Farm Network (RFN-NJ) is seeking six RFN-NJ members to participate as the 2024 RFN-NJ Steering Committee (SC) and take part in the Regional Leadership Training (RLT). Those members will participate in both opportunities over the span of 12 months (early February 2024 to 2025).
Steering Committee:
For RFN-NJ to continue, grow, and remain dedicated to its farming members, it needs the guidance of a steering committee. To assist RFN-NJ, the Steering Committee will help with outreach to keep RFN-NJ growing. They will also provide guidance to North JerseyRC&D staff on the direction of RFN-NJ events and content. The Steering Committee will take into consideration the needs and input solicited from RFN-NJ members. They will also provide input and assistance in finding funding to help RFN-NJ continue its goal of being a place for farmers to learn and share knowledge around regenerative agriculture.
Regional Leadership Training:
New Jersey and the Northeast region needs more regenerative leaders. As part of the Regional Leadership Training initiative, the selected farming members will receive stipends to develop their leadership skills and deepen their knowledge of regenerative agriculture. This will be a flexible program where participants have the opportunity to create a personalized plan based on their current skills and areas where they would like to develop their knowledge. This can include costs to attend a conference or workshop, participate in a speaking engagement, etc.
The following criteria will be taken into consideration when selecting Steering Committee/Regional Leadership Training (SC/RLT) members:
Farming operation, size, location (a diverse range of types solicited)
Farming experience (+5 years of farming experience preferred but not necessary)
Historically underserved (HU) status: for more information, visit NRCS HU
The selected members must reside or have a farming operation within a seven county focus area: Hunterdon, Morris, Mercer, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren.
Budget and Time:
North Jersey RC&D recognizes that farmers have limited time, yet their participation is vital to making RFN-NJ successful. Therefore SC/RLT members will receive stipends to compensate them for their contribution. We will work around the busy growing season as much as possible to accommodate schedules!
There will be approximately one meeting every other month that runs about 1.5 hours, plus an average of 2 hours per month of additional time to assist with RFN-NJ planning, events, or outreach. There may be a few once-a-month meetings during winter months as needed.
The selected Non-HU SC/RLT members will receive up to a $1,000 stipend for their time on the Steering Committee plus up to $800 towards education and leadership training, for a total of up to $1,800. HU members will receive up to a $1,000 stipend for time on the Steering Committee plus up to $1,000 towards education and leadership training, for a total of up to $2,000. See the table below.
Table 1. Anticipated Time Commitments and Budget Overview
Overall Time Frame: early February 2024 - 2025 (12 months)
