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Open Positions:
Request for Proposals - Marketing/Branding Consultant
The Center for Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurship (CADE) seeks 2-3 Consultants to provide 1:1 branding and marketing services to 8-10 beginning farmer clients in spring 2025. CADE welcomes proposals from those experienced in brand development, graphic design, marketing strategy, and monitoring and evaluation of marketing tactics. Experience with farms or food businesses is a plus.
ABOUT CADE: CADE is a non-profit organization founded in 1991, based in Oneonta, NY, whose mission is to increase the number and diversity of successful farm enterprises. Our goal is for farm and food businesses to compete and thrive, contributing to a sustainable regional food system and strong local economy. CADE strives to uphold and promote the following values as an organization and in our work with clients: Sustainability, Collaboration, Inclusion, Transparency and Innovation.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide marketing services to 2-8 beginning farmer clients selected and vetted by CADE through a competitive application process* between early March – early May 2025
- *Clients will apply to the program in January 2025. CADE staff will review applications and select 8-10 participants in February 2025. Selected clients will be given the choice of 2-3 designers to work with.
- Assess each client’s branding and marketing needs and determine a scope of work that falls within the project budget.* Services could include: general marketing strategy, brand kit development, social media strategy/templates, product labels, signage, wholesale sell sheets, eCommerce support, etc.
- *All clients will have the same stipend for work with their chosen designer. If the client prefers to work on a larger project that exceeds the allocated budget (for example, a website build), CADE can provide a cost share where the client covers the excess amount.
- Manage client relationships independently, while keeping CADE staff informed on progress biweekly as agreed upon by all parties.
DELIVERABLES
- At project start (Dec 2024)
- Meet with CADE staff to understand program scope and timeline
- Client work (March-May 2025)
- Onboarding meetings with CADE staff and between 2-8 beginning farmer clients
- Consultant carries out scope of work with clients
- Project wrap (May 2025)
- Provide a final report with brief descriptions of services provided to each client
QUALIFICATIONS OF VENDORS
- Strong experience with industry standards and trends for branding, social media, and marketing strategy for farm and food businesses in New York State
- Highly personable, with comfortability being in direct communication with CADE’s farmer clients
- Familiarity with antiracist frameworks and commitment to an equitable, sustainable food system
TO APPLY
Please submit a proposal (not to exceed 2 pages) to Rhiannon Wright (rhiannon@cadefarms.org) with subject “RFP-Marketing Consultant” by 11/29/2024 that contains the following information:
(1) a brief letter of interest and related qualifications
(2) a proposed work plan, including a start date; and
(3) a basic pricing list for standard design/marketing services provided by the consultantAPPLICATION PROCESS
Proposals will be accepted until 11/29/2024, with a determination by 12/6/2024. This project will wrap by 5/31/2025.
No phone calls please. CADE values diverse experiences and perspectives. We encourage farmers, historically underserved candidates, and those who may not meet all preferred qualifications to apply. Applicants should be committed to anti-racist initiatives and ready to contribute to CADE’ s mission of building a more equitable food system.
CADE is an equal opportunity employer committed to complying with all federal, state, and local equal employment opportunity laws. CADE prohibits discrimination against any employee and considers applications for all positions without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, military status, height and weight, religion, genetic predisposition or carrier status, arrest record, or any other legally protected status. People of color, persons with disabilities, veterans, women, and LGBT applicants are encouraged to apply.
- Provide marketing services to 2-8 beginning farmer clients selected and vetted by CADE through a competitive application process* between early March – early May 2025
Volunteer with CADE
CADE is seeking volunteers to support our work in event planning, outreach and promotion, donor management, and logistics/administration. To apply, send an email to careers@cadefarms.org with “Volunteer Application” in the subject line. Please include your resume and a cover letter detailing your interest in volunteering for CADE. Volunteers will be accepted on a rolling basis, as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Enthusiasm for CADE’s mission
- Ability to multitask, keep organized, and be collaborative and communicative
- Self-motivated and able to accomplish work independently as part of a team
- Outstanding writing, editing, and communications skills
- Comfortable with a variety of office technologies or readiness to learn (e.g. Google Workspace, Canva, Hubspot, Wix, social media, etc.)
Internships at CADE
Our internship program is open to college students or recent graduates who wish to gain real world job experience with a regional and state leader for agriculture and economic development. CADE’s office is located in Oneonta, NY, and we can accommodate hybrid or remote work on a case by case basis. The time commitment would typically be 5-20 hours/week for 3-4 months, to be coordinated with the internship supervisor. The internship may be eligible for college credit or work study – speak with your internship coordinator or career counselor at your college or university.
To apply, send your resume along with a cover letter outlining the type of work you’re passionate about and/or the specific areas within our organization where you’d like to contribute to careers@cadefarms.org. Please include “Internship Application” in the subject line. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with start date based on availability.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Enthusiasm for CADE’s mission
- Self-motivated and able to accomplish work independently as part of a team
- Outstanding writing, editing, and communications skills
- Comfortable with a variety of office technologies or readiness to learn (e.g. Google Workspace, Canva, Hubspot, Wix, social media, etc.)
Note: Volunteers and Interns are accepted on a rolling basis, as needed.
CADE is an equal opportunity employer committed to complying with all federal, state, and local equal employment opportunity laws. CADE prohibits discrimination against any employee and considers applicants for all positions without regards to race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, familial status, military status, height and weight, religion, genetic predisposition or carrier status, arrest record, or any other legally protected status.
