Executive Director

Position Title: Executive Director

Reports to: Board of Directors

Employment Type: Part-time (20 hrs/week), year round

Compensation: Up to $30 per hour (depending on experience) + travel stipend

Location: Houghton County with a combination of remote work, community-based work, and

in-person meetings / travel within Houghton County (as needed)

About From the Ground Farmers Market Collective

From the Ground Farmers Market Collective (FTG) is a community-driven nonprofit organization

dedicated to supporting and strengthening local food access in the Western Upper Peninsula of

Michigan. FTG does this through the facilitation of participating farmers markets in Houghton

County, as well as fostering economic opportunity for producers, while building resilient food

infrastructure. Partnerships include small and mid-scale farmers, local governments, vendors,

community partners, Tribal agencies, local and regional NGOs and local health institutions.

Position Summary

The inaugural Executive Director (ED) will lead FTG in all aspects of organizational leadership,

operations, program development, fundraising, community engagement, and partnership

building. The ED will implement the mission and strategic direction defined by the Board of

Directors, engage with local farmers, vendors, community partners, oversee market operations

and vendor / municipal relations, and serve as the public face for FTG .

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Work with the Board of Directors to develop a long-range strategic plan to guide FTG’s growth, priorities, and impact.
• Lead development of organizational policies, procedures, and operational plans that reflect FTG’s mission, values, and goals.
• Provide regular, transparent communication and reporting to the Board on organizational performance, program outcomes, finances, and risks.
• Work with our accountant and Board Treasurer to ensure compliance with all relevant legal, regulatory, and nonprofit governance requirements, including financial reporting, grant compliance, documentation, and record-keeping.

Program & Market Operations Oversight

• In partnership with market staff, oversee the implementation of farmers markets, market scheduling, vendor recruitment and retention, vendor policies and compliance, and any additional programs (including but not limited to nutrition incentive programs, community outreach, educational events, market-related community development). This includes oversight of logistics, coordination, and of market operations.
• Hire, supervise and support any staff, contractors, and volunteers involved in market operations, outreach, coordination, and program delivery. Ensure staff roles and job descriptions are defined, performance evaluated, and onboarding/training provided.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local farmers, producers, vendors, community groups, health organizations, Michigan Tech, local government, and other stakeholders to support and expand market participation and community engagement.
• Develop and implement outreach, communications, and public engagement strategies to raise public awareness of FTG, expand market participation, attract new vendors, customers, and supporters.

Fundraising & Financial Management

• Work with the fundraising sub-committee to lead FTG’s fundraising efforts, including grant-seeking, grant writing, cultivating funders (foundation, government, corporate, individual), sponsorships, donations, and local fundraising events.
• Develop and manage the organizational budget in collaboration with the Board, ensuring financial sustainability, effective resource allocation, and compliance with grant/funder requirements.
• Execute and oversee bookkeeping, accounting, financial reporting, and cash flow management.

Community Engagement, Advocacy & Partnerships

• Serve as FTG’s primary spokesperson. Represent the organization in community meetings, local media, public events, with partners, local government, and funders.
• Advocate for policies, resources, and supports that benefit local producers, farmers markets, food access, food justice, and sustainable agriculture in the Western U.P. region.
• Cultivate and strengthen partnerships with community organizations, schools, municipal governments, local businesses, and other stakeholders to integrate markets into broader food system planning, local food initiatives, and community development efforts.

Organizational Culture

• Recruit, hire, supervise, and support any staff, contractors, and volunteers as needed. Provide guidance, performance reviews, professional development, and foster a positive, inclusive, equitable organizational culture.
• Ensure that FTG’s practices reflect values of equity, inclusion, and collaboration;
• Promote transparent communication, collaboration, accountability, and respect among staff, board, vendors, and community partners.

Qualifications & Experience

• Demonstrated commitment to and passion for local food systems, farmers markets, community-based agriculture, food justice, and equitable access to healthy food.
• At least 5 years of leadership/management experience in a nonprofit, community-based organization, farmers market network, food systems organization, or related field.
• Proven success in fundraising including grant writing, donor cultivation, sponsorships, and diversified funding strategies. Experience managing federal, state, foundation, or private grants is strongly preferred.
• Strong financial management and budgeting skills; ability to oversee budgets, financial reporting, and ensure fiscal responsibility and sustainability.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and public-speaking skills; ability to build relationships with a diverse set of stakeholders (farmers, vendors, institutions, board members, funders, community).
• Experience or comfort with program development, operations oversight, vendor relations, community engagement, and outreach/marketing. Familiarity with farmers markets or small-scale agriculture is a strong plus.
• Leadership skills: hiring, supervising, supporting staff and volunteers; fostering an inclusive, supportive workplace culture.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively; flexibility in adapting to community needs, evolving circumstances, and a dynamic work environment (may include variable hours, seasonal tasks, travel within the region).

A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in nonprofit management, community development, agriculture/food systems, public administration, or related field is preferred but not required if the candidate demonstrates strong relevant experience.

Desired Attributes

• Passionate about supporting small farms, local food systems, food justice, and community wellbeing.
• Strong commitment to equity and representation of under-served and marginalized communities.
• Creative thinker and problem-solver; able to develop new programs or adapt existing ones to meet evolving community needs.
• Excellent organizer and self-starter; able to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and relationships responsibly. Strong collaborator and networker.
• Proactive, transparent, and values-driven leadership style; comfortable working with board, staff, volunteers, and community.
• Familiarity with rural community dynamics, and the unique challenges and opportunities in the Upper Peninsula (logistics, seasonality, remote communities, transportation, cultural diversity, tribal sovereignty).

Pay & Benefits

• Part-time (20 hours per week) up to $30 per hour, depending on experience and scope of work)
• Flexible schedule, combination of remote work and community-based work, and travel stipend for market and community outreach
• Opportunity to shape and grow a vital community food-system institution in the Western Upper Peninsula, make real impact, and lead community-driven market development

How to Apply

• Please submit the following to the Board of Directors (via email fromthegroundfmc@gmail.com):
• A cover letter explaining your interest in FTG, your vision for farmers markets in the Upper Peninsula, and relevant experience.
• A current resume.
• Contact information for at least three professional references.
• Position Start Date: ASAP - March 2026

Pay: Up to $30.00 per hour

Experience:

• Nonprofit management: 5 years (Preferred)

Location:

• Hancock, MI 49930 (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Hancock, MI 49930 (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Hancock, MI 49930