Assistant Extension Professor: Center for Farm Financial Management

About the Job

Assistant Extension Professor, Center for Farm Financial Management 

Department of Applied Economics

This is a hybrid position. The University of Minnesota is currently offering flexible working options. Specifics will be discussed during the interview stage.

The person in this position will work as part of a vibrant team at the Center for Farm Financial Management to strategically plan, develop, and deliver farm financial management educational programs. Specifically the person in this position will:

Educational Program Development and Delivery (75%)

• Develop practical educational programs on a wide-range of farm financial management topics utilizing cutting-edge technology when appropriate.
• Develop innovative farm financial management tools including software, web-based, video, written, and other types of tools. 
• Deliver farm management and marketing educational programs to producers, educators, lenders, and other agricultural professionals.
• Continue to expand the use of CFFM educational programs and tools to wider audiences of producers and agricultural professionals.

Scholarly Research (10%)

• Conduct applied research and development in the area of farm financial management and incorporate findings into practical applications.

Entrepreneurship (15%)

• Embrace and expand entrepreneurship within the Center for Farm Financial Management.
• Provide leadership and support to state and national initiatives in which CFFM has leadership and seek opportunities for external funding in CFFM’s areas of strategic focus.

Starting Date: As soon as possible, to be negotiated

Qualifications

Essential 

• Masters degree in agricultural economics, applied economics, economics, finance, agricultural education or a closely related field by the date of appointment. 
• Applicants must be able to pass a background check.

Desired

• Work experience in farm management Extension, teaching or research, or agricultural lending.
• Background in farming, ranching, or agri-business.
• Degree emphasis or experience in farm management, finance, or production economics.
• Desire and potential to help develop innovative, technology-based farm management tools and educational programs.
• Experience and demonstrated effectiveness in delivering presentations.
• Demonstrated success in working as part of productive, high-energy, output oriented teams.
• Demonstrated written and oral communication skills for professional and nonprofessional audiences.
• Ability to adjust workload and meet deadlines related to grant directives.
• Evidence of potential to work effectively with farmers, educators, lenders, farm organizations, and agribusinesses.
• Desire and ability to network with external peers in agriculture, government, and business industries. 
• Potential and interest in preparing successful grant proposals to government agencies, initiating collaborative projects with agribusiness, and developing entrepreneurial sources of revenue.

About the Department

The Center for Farm Financial Management (CFFM) provides educational programs and software tools that are practical, timely, and applicable to real-world farm situations. Products and training focus on farm financial planning, financial analysis, risk management, business planning, commodity marketing, and credit analysis. CFFM products are widely used by farmers, lenders and educators across the United States. CFFM is an entrepreneurial unit with major support from revenue and grants.

FINPACK, the Center’s flagship software product, provides a suite of tools that guide producers and ag professionals to make sound financial and credit decisions. FINPACK has three major audiences, lenders, educators, and producers. CFFM staff are involved in providing training and presentations to these audiences in a wide variety of venues including national conferences, banking schools, and training for individual lenders.

CFFM hosts and supports the national farm financial benchmarking database, http://finbin.umn.edu. In this role, CFFM staff work with over 20 states to provide training and software tools to complete farm business analysis and benchmarking for their farmer participants. The FINBIN database provides a rich source of data to support presentations and training for farmer groups.

CFFM also provides leadership to a number of national programs funded by USDA/NIFA including Extension Risk Management Education and the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development program. CFFM supports the online presence of these programs through development and maintenance of FarmAnswers.org, AgRisk.umn.edu, ExtensionRME.org, and RVS.umn.edu. CFFM also supports a number of online tools including AgPlan, AgTransitions, IFSAM, Commodity Challenge, and a number of online training courses. A particular focus is working with historically underserved farmers and ranchers, and work with these communities continues to increase.

CFFM is located in Ruttan Hall on the St. Paul Campus of the University of Minnesota. It is a unit in the Department of Applied Economics. It is also a part of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences and University of Minnesota Extension. For more information about CFFM and the scope of its programs, visit http://cffm.umn.edu. 

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $84,000 – $96,000 depending on education/qualifications/experience 

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment 

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff 

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services 
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

How To Apply

Application Deadline: Review of applications will begin on January 17, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled.

Application Procedure

Apply online at: http://z.umn.edu/cffmposition, Job: 366002. Cover letter and CV must be attached online. Other required documents can be mailed or emailed to address listed below. 

A COMPLETE application must include:

1) Letter of application that explains how your career goals, training and experience support your candidacy; 

2) A complete curriculum vitae; 

3) An official graduate transcript; 

4) One or two examples of written or published work or a Power Point you have presented; and 

5) Names and contact information for three individuals who can comment on your abilities and experience.

Email inquiries about the position are welcome, but formal application process is required. Send all materials that cannot be submitted online to:

Kevin Klair, Director 

Center for Farm Financial Management 

University of Minnesota 

1994 Buford Ave., Rm 130 

St. Paul, MN 55108 

[email protected]

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail [email protected] or call (612) 624-8647.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About the U of M

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation’s most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America’s Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).

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