Location: Hybrid / Hawaiʻi (regular inter-island travel required)

Salary: $52,000 to $72,800 per year, with full benefits (see more details below). 

To apply: Email resume and cover letter to agroforestry@eatbreadfruit.com

About the position: The Producer Support Lead will play a central role in implementing the Hawaiʻi-Grown Partnership for Agriculture project in collaboration with Lynker, Hawaiʻi ʻUlu Co-op (HUC), and other partners. This position will serve as the primary liaison between Lynker, partner organizations and HUC, ensuring strong coordination, producer engagement, and successful program delivery.

A key component of this role includes increasing ʻulu producer participation in Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP), a USDA market development incentive program designed to strengthen farmer access to new and expanded markets. The Producer Support Lead will attend and actively contribute to partnership meetings, coordinate communication among stakeholders, lead recruitment efforts among HUC’s membership of more than 200 breadfruit farms, and support successful producer enrollment and completion of program activities.

The Producer Support Lead will also be a key member of HUC’s Membership Team, supporting co-op functions through new member onboarding, technical service provision via one-on-one and group formats, development of educational resources, and cross-departmental collaboration with co-op staff. The ideal candidate is an agricultural professional with strong technical knowledge of breadfruit agroforestry systems in Hawaiʻi, experience working directly with producers, and the ability to coordinate complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives. This position requires excellent communication, organization, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively across islands.

Reports to: Agroforestry Manager

About the Organization: Hawaiʻi ʻUlu Co-op (HUC) is a farmer-owned business working to revitalize ‘ulu (breadfruit) as a viable crop and dietary staple by empowering farmers as changemakers in Hawaiʻi’s food system. Formed in 2016 with nine small, diversified growers on Hawaiʻi Island, we have grown to nearly 200 member-farms on Hawaiʻi Island, Maui, and Oʻahu, and Kauaʻi. By working together, HUC farmers can offer consistent, high-quality ‘ulu products that are delicious, versatile, local, healthy, accessible, and sustainable. We’re committed to the revival of ʻulu to strengthen Hawaiʻi’s food security and to the value of mālama ʻāina – care or protection of the earth – by using environmentally responsible production methods. Our vision is a thriving cooperative that sustains and uplifts producers, consumers, and society as a whole. 

Essential Functions

• Serve as the primary point of contact between HUC, Lynker, and partner organizations under the Hawaii-Grown Partnership for Agriculture project.
• Attend and contribute to partnership meetings, ensuring timely follow-up and clear communication across all stakeholders.
• Lead recruitment of participating ʻulu producers from HUC’s membership across Hawaiʻi State.
• Support producer onboarding by assisting with federal eligibility documentation and facilitating introductions to Lynker’s technical service provider team.
• Provide technical guidance related to breadfruit agroforestry systems, including orchard and agroforestry design and establishment, crop selection, soil health, pest and disease management, pruning, harvesting, and program-relevant conservation practices.
• Support Lynker’s technical service provider team by mapping and drafting scopes of work for enrolled producer projects.   These deliverables should adhere to CPA-52 and other form requirements. 
• Coordinate and track producer enrollment, contracting, and participation milestones.
• Provide direct assistance and troubleshooting support to enrolled producers.
• Assist Co-op Membership Department with general functions including member recruitment, onboarding, workshops, and agroforestry education.
• Collaborate with the Co-op Communications Lead and Sales Director to align producer incentives with broader market access and expansion strategies.
• Maintain accurate program records and prepare regular reports for partners, co-op leadership and Lynker staff. 
• Contribute to program evaluation, continuous improvement, and strategic planning efforts.

Competencies

• Strong technical knowledge of breadfruit agroforestry systems and tropical perennial crop production in Hawaiʻi.
• Ability to translate federal program requirements into practical guidance for producers.
• Experience providing on-farm technical assistance and producer education.
• Strong relationship management and partnership coordination skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Highly organized with strong project management capabilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and cloud-based project management tools.
• Self-motivated and comfortable working in a hybrid environment with inter-island travel.

Supervisory Responsibility
This position has no regular direct reports but may oversee contractors, consultants, or interns related to partnership implementation as needed.

Work Environment
The position is primarily remote but requires regular travel to co-op facilities, farms, and partner meetings across Hawaiʻi. Field visits to orchards and agroforestry sites are expected.

Physical Demands
The role requires extended periods of sitting and computer use, periodic inter-island travel, and the ability to walk on uneven terrain, stand for extended periods, and conduct on-farm visits in varying weather conditions.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
Full-time and year-round, with flexible scheduling as approved by the Agroforestry Manager. Some evening or weekend meetings may be required.

Travel
Regular inter-island travel is required. Travel costs will be reimbursed at the current GSA rate for use of a Personally Owned Vehicle (POV). Travel costs will be directly covered for approved inter-island airfare and related per diem expenses.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in agroforestry, horticulture, agronomy, tropical agriculture, natural resource management, or a closely related field.
• 3+ years of professional experience working in breadfruit agroforestry or tropical perennial crop systems.
• Demonstrated experience providing technical assistance or advisory services to farmers.
• Practical knowledge of orchard establishment, soil health, pest and disease management, pruning, harvesting, and post-harvest considerations for breadfruit, as well as general NRCS conservation practice standards or similar.
• Familiarity with federal agricultural programs, conservation programs, or producer incentive initiatives.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel independently between islands.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Advanced degree in agroforestry, tropical agriculture, or related discipline.
• Knowledge and cultural competency regarding Hawaiian crops, customs, and food systems.
• Direct experience managing or working within commercial breadfruit orchards and agroforests.
• Experience supporting producers with federal eligibility documentation, conservation planning, or contracting processes.
• Knowledge of Hawaiʻi’s agricultural regulatory environment and food systems landscape.
• Experience working with cooperatives or farmer-owned enterprises.
  

Additional Eligibility Qualifications
None required beyond those listed above.

Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

Compensation & Benefits
Pay is competitive for agricultural technical service providers within the Hawaiʻi agriculture sector based on skills, qualifications and experience, and includes full medical benefits as well as 20% off all co-op products. The current wage guideline for the co-op allows for lead salaries between $52,000 to $72,800 per year. In addition, through HUC’s partnership with ProService, employees qualify for additional perks including access to great offers from local businesses such as discounted movie tickets or health and fitness deals; a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) that allows for the use of pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible out-of-pocket expenses and lower IRS reported income, which saves you money; and Voluntary Insurance options that are portable and can be taken with you should your employment status change. Full-time employees are also eligible to accrue Paid Time Off in addition to paid holidays, per the company employee handbook.

 

Hawaiʻi ʻUlu Co-op strives to foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture focused on continuous learning and welcomes individuals with work and lived experiences that align with and complement the organization’s mission and vision. The co-op does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, size, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law and is an employment-at-will company. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.