The Appalachian Harvest Herb Hub Associate will work with the Agroforestry Program Director and Procurement Manager to oversee daily operations of AHHH, including producer assistance, quality control, facility operations, and outreach.

To apply: Click here

Area 1: Producer Assistance (20% estimated FTE)
Responsibilities for Area 1 Include:

• Inspect, receive or reject incoming medicinal herbs, in accordance with facility regulatory compliance standards.
• Coordinate processing schedules with producers regarding their use of the AHHH facility. 
• Train farmers on how to safely and properly use herb processing tools and equipment.
• Advise and supervise processing activities of new producers at AHHH.

Area 2: Quality Control and Assurance (20% estimated FTE)
Responsibilities for Area 2 Include: 

• Analyze and document moisture content for herbs while in the dryer.
• Package, weigh, and label fresh herbs/roots with appropriate packaging and cold packs.
• Print herb packaging labels and order supplies as inventory runs low.
• Check farmer’s herbs in and out of inventory in Shipper’s Office (SO).
• Create an invoice for the buyer in SO and any associated forms (i.e. Raw Material Clearance Form, Certificates of Origin, etc.), and save in the appropriate Buyer folder.
• Schedule herb shipments with the buyer’s preferred courier.
• Communicate quality/equipment issues with the Agroforestry Director and Procurement Manager.

Area 3: Operations (15% estimated FTE)
Responsibilities for Area 3 Include: 

• Maintain all AHHH processing and drying areas in a safe and clean condition and in compliance with all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Clean and sanitize herb processing tools and equipment and document in logbooks.
• Maintain and coordinate repair of malfunctioning equipment, as needed.
• Ensure that all facility use tasks assigned to producers are carried out and that all policies and SOPs are enforced as specified in the Producer Agreement.
• Inspect processing areas after producer departure and report any violations to the terms outlined in the Producer Agreement to the Procurement Manager immediately.
• Develop purchase orders and requests for proposals for AHHH equipment and construction projects, including securing quotes and advertising as needed.

Area 4: Producer and Community Outreach (15% estimated FTE)
Responsibilities for Area 4 Include: 

• Conduct AHHH facility tours and create and present programmatic information to the public making use of multimedia and other presentation platforms.
• Aid in planning, facilitating and evaluating online and in person outreach/training events.
• Provide photos and content for AHHH social media posts and newsletters.
• Provide logistical and planning support for Wild Stewards Alliance Dealer/Harvester training sessions.
• Furnish relevant sales data reports from SO for business planning and reporting.

Area 5: Participate and engage as part of the Appalachian Sustainable Development Herb Hub Team (15% FTE).
Responsibilities for Area 5 Include: 

• Attend bi-weekly ASD Team Meetings, Agroforestry Team Meetings, and weekly One on One Meetings with Supervisor
• Participate on (1) ASD major event planning committee every 24 months
• Work and attend at least (2) general ASD outreach and fundraising events in each 12 month period outside of regular working hours
• Attend and participate in all major ASD mandatory events

Area 6: Participate and engage as part of the Appalachian Sustainable Development Herb Hub Team (15% FTE).
Responsibilities for Area 6 Include: 

• Develop and maintain the food access box distribution schedule.
• Coordinate with local food banks and churches to ensure all pickups and deliveries are properly scheduled and executed in a timely manner.
• Review and distribute the weekly food box schedule in collaboration with warehouse staff to ensure accuracy, alignment, and clear expectations for the upcoming week.

Required Skills

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Demonstrated ability to develop partnerships and collaborate with diverse groups and teams, including conflict resolution skills
• Acute attention to detail and ability to thoroughly follow procedures
• Dependable, resilient self-starter with an eagerness to learn
• Flexible with ability to quickly adapt to unexpected scenarios and circumstances
• Outstanding organizational, record keeping, and data management and analysis skills
• Superior listening, verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Excel in community outreach and engagement with public speaking and facilitation skills
• Proficiency with basic technology (i.e. MS Office Suite, Google Drive, Zoom, Google Meet, META, copiers) and ability to quickly learn more complex software applications
• Driver’s license and personal vehicle
• Be willing to travel overnight as required to accommodate above listed Community and Producer Outreach duties

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in Food Science, Horticulture, Agriculture, or related field
• Experience overseeing shipping and receiving
• Familiarity with inventory and sales tracking databases
• Proficiency developing quality outreach material using programs like Canva and Constant Contacts
• Leadership skills with proven project management
• Demonstrated ability to plan and facilitate outreach and training events in large groups and/or one-on-one settings
• Experience with forest farming, herb farming, plant identification, herb processing and post-harvest handling
• Experience with certified organic and food safety standards and procedures
• Basic carpentry and plumbing experience
• Forklift operations

Supervision

Reports to the Appalachian Harvest Herb Hub Procurement Manager.

Location

Daily operations will take place in the Appalachian Harvest Herb Hub at 280 Boone Trail Rd, Duffield, VA 24244. Remote work some days of the week is possible, especially outside of the busy shipping season, which lasts from August-November annually.

Working Conditions

Must be flexible working in a fast paced, warehouse environment, with the ability to lift up to 50 pounds, walk/stand for up to 8 hours, and sit at a desk for computer work.

Status

Full-time 40 hours weekly, with some evening or weekend outreach events required. 

Salary

Taxable rate of $20.00 per hour paid in semi-monthly increments.

Compensation Package

• Option to join ASD health insurance coverage, dental insurance and vision
• Option to join the ASD Verizon business plan which includes unlimited talk/text at no cost to employee
• Paid time off, up to 144 hrs annually (accrual starts at 30 days) 
• 14 paid federal holidays
• Simple IRA with up to 3% match
• Mileage reimbursement for work-related travel, starting from ASD’s office 

How to Apply

Submit your resume AND cover letter on Indeed. Applications that do not include both will not be considered.

Hiring Policy

Appalachian Sustainable Development provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. 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. Candidates may be required to pass a background check and/or drug test as a condition of employment. While all applications are appreciated, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Salary: $48,000 – $50,000

To apply: Click here

The Nursery Developer and Greenhouse Assistant has three primary areas of responsibility and focus as related to the Groundwork Workforce Development Program and Appalachian Sustainable Development as a whole.

Area 1: Infrastructure development of the Nursery system (Alley cropping demonstration site, air prune box walkway, willows, etc). (40% estimated FTE). Responsibilities include: 

• Physically manage and maintain the alleycropping demonstration site including the alleyways, rows, grown herbs, grown flowers, willow patch and irrigation system on ASD’s Singingwood Campus in Bristol, VA
• Fill planting gaps, make and carry out expansion plans for the alley cropping site as-needed
• Create and implement cover cropping plan for alleyways
• Develop and carry out maintenance and management plan for associated areas
• Build/Install air prune beds and other infrastructure in shaded walkways to supplement nursery growth Instead: Build, install, and maintain air pruning beds in existing outdoor nursery for production of 1 yr. bareroot tree and shrub seedlings
• Build, install and maintain hardwood cuttings boxes in outdoor nursery
• Collect and procure nursery seed, including Groundwork participants in the process  when possible
• Operate relevant machinery and equipment, including but not limited to: Hand tools, knives, pruners, weedeaters, zero turn mower, and walk-behind tractor with mower and tiller implements.
• Initiate regular meetings with Emilie Tweardy in the early development of ASD’s nursery system (Bi weekly) 
• Initiate regular meeting with the Director of Workforce Development on nursery progress (bi weekly)
• Initiate regular meetings with the Economic and Community Development Analyst regarding species, sales, marketing, and business development for the ASD Nursery (bi weekly)
• Provide nursery-based skills training to Groundwork participants as part of the Groundwork program, including plant propagation of various types, seed and stock plant identification and management, weeding and in-ground plant management, irrigation systems and workflow/maintenance cycles for nursery work
• Develop/Update strategic plan for the Agroforestry Nursery with associated team

Area 2: Infrastructure development for the ASD Singingwood Greenhouse, the mobile flower market, and associated educational raised beds on ASD’s Singingwood Campus (40% estimated FTE). Responsibilities include:

• Plan and oversee the greenhouse infrastructure installation from fall of 2026 to winter 2027 to get the Singingwood Greenhouse operational year-round
• Collect bids on installation, contracting, and maintenance of the greenhouse 
• Manage, maintain, clean, and tend the greenhouse on site at the Singingwood property every day
• Manage supply orders and delivery for greenhouse products, shelving, supplies, and other needs
• Manage budget needs for the Singingwood greenhouse
• Provide direct support for the ASD Late Bloomers spring plant sale on site through direct customer interaction and plant management 
• Plan and oversee the mobile market flower wagon installation from winter of 27 to summer of 27 to prepare for summer flowers sales
• Develop a year round sale plan for items out of the Singingwood greenhouse such as autumnal flowers, spring plants, tulips, etc
• Coordinate with campus visitors to the greenhouse to showcase programming and site development 
• Tend raised garden and plant beds around the Singingwood Greenhouse for presentability 
• Maintain greenhouse and raised bed site area for cleanliness, safety, and presentability

Area 3: Participate and engage as part of the larger team of Appalachian Sustainable Development. (20% estimated FTE). Responsibilities include:

• Attend bi-weekly ASD Team Meetings 
• Participate on (1) ASD major event (retreat, summit, etc) planning committee every 24 months
• Work and attend at least (2) general ASD outreach and fundraising events in each 12 month period outside of regular working hours
• Attend and participate in all major ASD mandatory events (retreats, summits, planning day
• Communicate time out of office via Google Calendar
• Participate and support ASD events related to fundraising and marketing
• Respond to requests from management and other program employees as needed

Questions? Contact Chelsea Lee for more details:
Phone: (276) 431-3385
Email: clee@asdevelop.org

We need more Appalachian Harvest Drivers!

ASD’s Appalachian Harvest Food Hub in Duffield, VA provides support, training, aggregation and distribution support to markets for regional farmers.  Since 2000, farmers have sold more than $36 million dollars of fruits and vegetables to wholesale retailers. 

All drivers must have:

• 2 years over the road experience
• Hold a Class A CDL
• Ability to pass required drug screen
• A good driving record

Contact Chelsea Lee for more details:
Phone: (276) 431-3385
Email: clee@asdevelop.org

ASD’s Groundwork workforce development program provides paid, on-the-job training combined with wraparound services that support personal and career growth. It provides empowerment, education, and career development to help participants transition with confidence into the next phase of their lives. This is a 6-month training position located at ASD’s Appalachian Harvest Food Hub in Duffield, VA. One of the oldest rural food hubs in the U.S., Appalachian Harvest provides training, aggregation and distribution for regional farmers.  Since 2000. Appalachian Harvest has sold more than $40 million dollars in local beef, produce, and value-added goods on behalf of SWVA farmers and producers.

Duration: 6 months

Pay: $15 hour

Duties and Responsibilities

Day-to-day work responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Loading and unloading products from trailers and the coolers
• Shrink wrapping loaded pallets to be shipped
• Fulfilling food box and value-added orders 
• Distributing Food Boxes to individuals and organizations (customer service)
• Labeling pallets and boxes for accurate distribution
• Warehouse cleaning and light maintenance 
• Helping track all incoming and outgoing inventory
• Assisting herb producers with unloading, checking in and processing their roots and herbs
• Helping with the cleaning and sanitizing of equipment, drying racks and all herb processing and drying areas
• Checking on progress of drying herbs throughout process and taking actions as necessary
• Maintaining equipment as needed. 
• Assist with social enterprises as needed.

Associates will earn their Forklift Safety certification and OSHA 10-Hour Safety certification. 

Training on food safety and strict adherence to all food safety rules is required.

All Warehouse Associates must wash their hands before handling products, must wear gloves while handling products, must have hair pulled completely back away from face and off the shoulders or wear a hat while packing products.

Questions? Contact Chelsea Lee at clee@asdevelop.org.