GRIFFIN, Georgia -- Interested in sustainable agriculture and looking to have an impact on sustainable agriculture practices in your community? The Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SSARE) program is seeking a Quality of Life representative to serve on its Administrative Council (AC). Application deadline is July 1, 2022.
The AC is the governing body for the SARE program in the Southern region. Made up of 23 members, the Administrative Council, or simply AC, guides the vision of the SARE program, setting goals related to sustainable agriculture, overseeing the review of grant Calls for Proposals, evaluating projects, and being ambassadors for the program.
Improving and revitalizing community quality of life is one of SARE’s three pillars of sustainability. We strive to support quality of life efforts that strengthen rural communities and further urban agricultural endeavors by fostering partnerships, long-term economic stability, new technological innovations and business enhancements and advancements.
Embedded in the enhancement of quality of life is an inherent social science element that explores the environmental, economic and social complexities within sustainable agriculture.
The Quality of Life representative provides a “voice” for the social science direction of sustainability across the Southern region. Quality of Life nominations from all 13 states in the southern region, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands will be considered. The term would begin in February 2023. The Quality of Life representative would serve on the AC for a three-year term with opportunities for a second renewal term.
All AC members are members of standing committees, which may meet or communicate through conference calls to decide policy issues related to SSARE. The Administrative Council depends on outstanding nominees that you and your colleagues from across the region may put forward. We strongly encourage you to invest the effort required to advance good nominees. You may also nominate yourself.
Duties of the AC include attending AC meetings twice a year in February and August, generally for 3-4 days for each meeting, including travel. The Quality of Life representative is compensated for travel, lodging and meals to attend the meetings. Duties also include a significant commitment of time twice a year for reviewing grant proposals during the month or two prior to the AC meetings. Learn more about our Regional Leadership.
Criteria for the Quality of Life Administrative Council appointment include the following:
- PhD in social science.
- Research and teaching in one of the following disciplines: Ag economics, sociology, rural sociology, anthropology, geography, history, philosophy, political science, psychology, or other social science disciplines.
- Expertise/specialty in social science aspects of food systems, alternative agrifood systems, and an understanding of the interactions across environmental, economic and social dimensions are encouraged.
Council membership will be balanced with respect to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
For questions, please contact Candace Pollock-Moore at cpollock@uga.edu
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Published by the Southern Region of the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program. Funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Southern SARE operates under cooperative agreements with the University of Georgia, Fort Valley State University, and the Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture to offer competitive grants to advance sustainable agriculture in America's Southern region. This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, through Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.