Farm to School Coordinator

The Farm to School Coordinator at Ag Jobs in Glasgow, KY, will develop and implement policies for healthy nutrition practices and oversee school-based agricultural programs. Key responsibilities include collaboration with school staff and community partners, managing grant-funded initiatives, and ensuring compliance with USDA guidelines. The role requires a Bachelor's degree or equivalent, two years of relevant experience, and skills in problem-solving, organization, and communication.
JOB TITLE: Farm to School Coordinator (Certified)

DEPARTMENT: NUTRITION SERVICES
REPORTS TO: DIRECTOR OF NUTRITION SERVICES

APPROVED BY: BCBOE DATE: 4/22/2025

SUMMARY OF DUTIES:

Contribute to the development, implementation, and administration of research-based policies and procedures that support healthy physical development, culturally relevant health behaviors, and sustainable nutrition practices. This includes oversight of a school-based agricultural or garden program and the integration of local products into the Nutrition Services Program through USDA Food Buying Guide standards. Collaboration with school staff, community partners, and families is essential to promote 95210 Wellness, sustainable practices, and farm-to-school education initiatives. The Coordinator will oversee related grant-funded programs and seek out new funding opportunities in alignment with district strategic goals.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS: Must have no convictions of a felony or past criminal history, be in good health as evidenced by completion of a physical examination as prescribed by the Board. Must be of good character and moral behavior.

Teaching Certification in related areas - Bachelor's Degree, Associate's Degree, or equivalent credit hours in health education, agricultural science, family and consumer sciences, nutrition, or a related field
Minimum two (2) years documented experience in a related area (Nutrition Services, agricultural programs, or community health/nutrition initiatives)
Working knowledge of school nutrition, USDA dietary guidelines, child nutrition during school and summer months
Experience in agricultural education, local food systems, or sustainability initiatives is highly Strong knowledge of health and nutrition issues related school and community nutrition. Understand USDA dietary guidelines as it relates to nutritional needs of children during school year and summer months.

CRITICAL SKILL/EXPERTISE REQUIRED:
• Must be able to travel to and from various school and farm sites
• Strong problem solving, organization, and time management skills
• Knowledge of food safety, HACCP, farm-to-school protocols, and federal procurement guidelines
• Experience with USDA Food Buying Guide and local food procurement strategies
• Effective communication and relationship-building skills
• Skilled in interpreting and reporting data, grant management, and tracking program outcomes
• Ability to operate school garden/agriculture-based projects, including supervision of planting, harvesting, and product integration into meals
• Must be able to perform mathematical calculations.
• Sanitation and safety practices related to handling, cooking, baking and serving food.
• Methods of preparing and serving food in large quantities.
• Proper methods of storing equipment, materials and supplies.
• Standard kitchen equipment, utensils and measurements.
• Must be proficient in reading, writing, and oral communications in English.
• Must be able to appropriately adjust to quickly changing circumstances and multiple demands.
• Health and safety regulations as directed in HACCP plan.
• Must possess skills in problem solving, time management, organization, processing paperwork efficiently, and collecting and interpreting data.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
• Lead the operation and integration of a school-based agriculture/farm/garden project into Nutrition Services, ensuring safe and educational practices
• Utilize USDA and federal food service guidelines to procure and integrate locally grown foods into menus
• Coordinate with Nutrition Services and Wellness staff to promote healthy, sustainable eating habits aligned with the 95210 Wellness initiative
• Serve as a liaison to schools, parents, and community partners to deliver culturally relevant farm-to-school and wellness programming
• Schedule and deliver hands-on nutrition and agricultural education across classrooms, cafeterias, and community events
• Develop, manage, and report on grant-funded programs related to farm to school, local food procurement, and school gardens
• Monitor food production processes and work with staff to maintain high standards for meal quality and compliance
• Provide support to school kitchen operations including Point of Sale systems, sanitation, and meal service as needed
• Collaborate with educators to develop cross-curricular activities linking agriculture, sustainability, nutrition, and science
• Participate in the development of policies and procedures, program improvement plans and service plans to ensure compliance with district wellness policy, National School Lunch, Breakfast and Snack Programs, other regulatory requirements to meet the needs of students, staff, and families.
• Create promotional materials, presentations, and plan events related to wellness programs and connections to school and district goals.
• Act as an ambassador for our school district with great customer service, safety, and communication skills for a variety of settings.
• Schedule and/or perform grade-level appropriate nutrition and wellness education programs in classrooms, at community events, and in cafeteria settings.
• Coordinate with other Nutrition Services, community partners, and school staff to create and modify the nutrition education program. Deliver nutrition education workshops for assigned schools.
• With teaching and administrative staff, plan and provide nutrition related learning experience in the classroom, cafeteria, and community events (i.e. Family engagement nights, 95210 family nights, food tasting events, National School Lunch Week, National School Breakfast Week, School Lunch Hero Day, Farm to Fork, Tower to Table, FFVP, and other special events, etc.)
• Participate in reviews to assure a high quality-feeding program for school meals and snacks. Monitor food production worksheets to assure compliance with department requirements.
• Provide nutrition and health education to teaching staff, cooks, staff, parents, and children.
• Provide training and technical assistance for nutrition services staff.
• Provide assistance in day to day kitchen operations (required reporting, Point of Sale system operations, and preparing, serving, and cleaning during meal service) as needed
• Supervise and collaborate with school and district staff to provide service of public sales for greenhouse products and other student related activities (SAE's, afterschool program, STEAM labs, etc.)

RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Maintain accurate records for grant compliance and program monitoring
• Prepare educational materials, lesson plans, presentations, and promotional content for farm-to-school and wellness events
• Analyze program data and prepare outcome reports for use by Nutrition Services and district leadership
• Assist with planning and implementation of employee team-building events and wellness initiatives
• Develop and maintain partnerships with local farms, food suppliers, and community organizations to support sustainability and nutrition goals
• Participate in district reviews, self-assessments, and improvement planning
• Work with accounting and compliance staff to procure local foods for use in the Nutrition Services Department and collaborate with students and local partners to encourage supplying foods to schools.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Support development of menus that highlight local products and meet nutrition guidelines
• Promote 95210 Wellness and local sustainability goals across district schools
• Participate in district and community wellness and nutrition advisory committees
• Provide services and support for students during summer feeding programs
• Maintain a positive, professional attitude and represent Barren County Schools and Nutrition Services with integrity
• Regular, punctual attendance and consistent follow-through with projects and partners is essential
• Collaborate with Nutrition Services Director and staff to promote menus that meet the nutritional and health needs of all children.
• Serve as liaison to the public school and community in reference to the health and nutritional needs of the students. Coordinate and execute activities with other departments.
• Participate in program self-assessment and planning activities to insure department compliance with all regulations and to identify areas needing change. Participate in development, implementation, and monitoring of program improvement plans for needed areas.
• Identify and report to supervisor emerging problems, initiate plan for additional assistance, and participate in ongoing improvements to program policies and procedures.
• Initiate follow-up to community partners, parents and teachers..
• Participate in the Wellness Committee for the district and at each assigned school.
• Participate on community advisory committees related to health and nutrition as assigned by the director.
• Provide services to students through summer feeding programs as directed by the supervisor.
• Develop and maintain relationships with outside agencies to provide health information and nutrition services to students and families.
• Be consistently responsible and display an attitude of honesty and credibility.
• Show enthusiasm, interest and concern for the total program and its efficient operation.
• Maintain professionalism in all areas of preparation and service.
• Demonstrate positive behavior toward the purposes and goals of the Barren County Public Schools and Barren County Nutrition Services.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:
• Work year is comprised of 240 days. This position will be funded with Fund 51 monies for a minimum of 50% up to 100% as directed by the superintendent.
• Salary commensurate with adopted certified teacher schedule.
• Sick leave and personal leave provided as stated in board policy.

The position is an "at will" position and the superintendent may terminate this position at any time. EVALUATION: Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy on Evaluation of Certified Personnel.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position.