State Specialized Agent IIIV, Food Business & Entrepreneurship

UF/IFAS Extension seeks a State Specialized Agent II-IV position in Family and Consumer Science providing statewide leadership in Food Business and Entrepreneurship, supporting county faculty, entrepreneurs, workforce programs, and industry collaborators throughout Florida. As a 12-month, 100% Extension appointment, the role advances UF/IFAS Extension's mission by strengthening economic decision making, viability, and growth opportunities for food and agribusiness entrepreneurs at all stages of development. This is a permanent status or permanent status accruing position for an Extension Agent II-IV, depending on eligibility. Candidates who have obtained permanent status in the Florida Cooperative Extension Service will retain this status. The position is located at the Southwest Research and Education Center in Immokalee. Statewide Leadership and Extension Programming

• Lead or co-lead statewide Extension programs that increase the economic resilience of Florida's food and agribusiness sectors.
• Educate food entrepreneurs and clientele about food and agribusiness planning and start-up considerations, marketing and management.
• Provide training to food and agribusiness entrepreneurs on market research and value-chain coordination, basic financial analysis, and business and market feasibility analysis
• Connect entrepreneurs with mentors to provide one-on-one business coaching to support informed investment, pricing, market entry, and scaling decisions.
• Work with county and state faculty to develop decision-support tools, curricula, and technical assistance to strengthen local program delivery in Family and Consumer Sciences and related food systems areas.
• Embed applied business and entrepreneurial analysis into statewide curricula and workshops to strengthen the economic impact and effectiveness of county level programming.
• Partner and leverage expertise of other faculty in the areas of regulatory, processing, food safety, and product development.
• Serve as a member of Initiative 5 (Food Safety & Food Entrepreneurship) and Initiative 1 (Food Systems) priority working groups, including participation on relevant Action Teams. Resource Development and Grantsmanship
• Secure federal, state, and philanthropic grants that expand UF Extension's capacity in food entrepreneurship and local food systems.
• Leverage in-kind resources and partnerships to expand program reach and reduce implementation costs.
• Support integrated funding strategies that align entrepreneurship, food safety, and food systems goals.

Please see https:

//explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/539476 for more information on Qualifications and Instructions to apply. Application deadline May 7, 2026.