2025 Southern Model State Program - Program Assistant for Tennessee State University

Commodities

Practices

The main responsibility of the program assistant position is to ensure that objectives in the SARE PDP Model State Program are completed timely and efficiently. This will entail the following individual responsibilities:
- coordination of efforts between the SARE State Coordinators and SARE program assistants including participation in regular meetings and meetings with SARE advisory committee
- submission of future SARE Model State Program proposals and reporting
- communications for Tennessee SARE programming through social media, website, newsletters, and design of flyers and slides for dissemination purposes
- engagement of stakeholders through in-person and virtual presentations focused on SARE funding, projects, and materials engagement with other SARE program personnel
- other duties as assigned

1. Engage in train-the-trainer programming during the "Sustainable Agriculture In-Service" Training prior to and during the PickTN Conference. This two-day training will be conducted and led by Troy Dugger with the University of Tennessee and Jason de Koff with Tennessee State University. Day one will consist of classroom instructions before touring small enterprise and acreage farms. These farms could include specialty crops important to Tennessee to include marketing and sustainable production practices. The second day of the training would allow Extension agents to participate in day one of the PickTN Conference, focusing on presentations related to sustainable agriculture. The PickTN Conference "provides educational programming and networking in a collaborative environment which fosters growth to sustain agriculture." There will also be the option for agents to participate in additional days of this conference pending interest. This training will be provided for up to 30 Extension Agents split between UT and TSU SARE Model State Program Funds.

2. Engage Extension agents in training focused on sustainable agriculture through current in-state and out-of-state programs. Additional program funds will be used to provide travel funding to agents to engage in other train-the-trainer opportunities, particularly in other states, to provide a diversity of knowledge on sustainable agriculture production. The specific subject areas will be based on agent and farmer needs as these needs and events are identified throughout the year. All programs will be evaluated by the individual agents with respect to the material learned and how the material will be incorporated into future trainings for farmers. They will also present their training experiences to other agents at their regional program planning meetings held within each region of the state.

3. Engage in marketing of SARE grant funding opportunities, current and previous SARE projects in Tennessee, SARE materials through virtual and in-person methods. The methods will include the use of social media, newsletters, videos, and presentations and exhibits at trade shows, Ag days, conferences, and other meetings within Tennessee. The TSU program assistant position will continue to engage in developing social media content using material from SARE publications in order to continue to enhance existing networks, and expand the reach of SARE in Tennessee and abroad by providing relevant, important information on a daily basis. A monthly newsletter will also be continued and will include digitally designed materials based on content from SARE publications, snapshots of current and previous SARE programs in Tennessee, and pertinent deadlines for SARE grants. It is expected that the initial mailing list will be expanded as additional users are identified through continued attendance at promotional events. Images, video, and content will continue to be created and updated on the Tennessee SARE website. The TSU and UT program assistants and state coordinators will work together to provide presentations and exhibits across the state highlighting the SARE program and sustainable agriculture in Tennessee to increase awareness and engagement.

4. Engage in collaboration with UT and other partners to ensure a seamless, efficient programming related to sustainable agriculture programs. Tennessee State University and UT SARE program assistants and state coordinators will continue to meet regularly to discuss current SARE train-the-trainer programs and opportunities for agents and strategize on best methods for advertising the current programs and opportunities, utilizing the advisory committee, engaging partners, identifying new partners, collecting agent needs, and engaging in events across the state. Program evaluation and reporting from existing SARE programs will also be incorporated. The Tennessee SARE team will also engage with the advisory committee to identify sustainable agriculture needs in Tennessee and assist with marketing and program promotion needs.