EMployment
Executive Director
The board seeks highly motivated candidates with broad experience in farm and rural policy, and organizational development and management. The right candidate will understand Farmers Union's background and values, have excellent communication skills, be able to incorporate innovative strategies, and have strong administrative and financial management skills. The Executive Director will provide leadership in financial management and develop additional resources and investments. WFU has a highly motivated staff working in a collaborative framework, and the Executive Director will provide leadership and inspiration for those efforts.
Position Summary:
The WFU Executive Director is responsible, in collaboration with boards and staff, for providing leadership to assure that key organizational goals are achieved, including: developing and implementing a long-term strategy to achieve its mission, providing leadership in developing and managing organizational programs, supervising financial resources, including fund development, investments and business development, maintaining membership relations and governance policies, providing support for communications strategies and organizational partnerships, and managing core administrative and employee support systems.
The Executive Director works in close cooperation with the President of the Board of Directors and is directly accountable to the elected WFU Board. The Executive Director operationalizes the directives of the WFU Board, the WFU Foundation, and the WFU Service Association. The organization currently has twenty-four employees and manages several properties. The organization’s main office and youth camp are in Chippewa Falls, with a satellite office in Madison. The Executive Director works in the Chippewa Falls office. WFU provides regular employees with a group health insurance plan, generous paid time off, and an employer match for a retirement fund. Salary expectation is in the $85,000-$105,000 range depending on experience.
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Skills and Experience:
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A minimum of 5 years of leadership experience is required.
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3 to 5 years of relevant experience is required. Experience in non-profit or cooperatives is preferred.
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Proven expertise in fund development, strategic planning, human resources management, and financial management is essential.
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A master’s degree or higher is preferred.
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Experience with the agricultural sector is preferred.
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Excellent written, verbal, technical, and administrative communication skills are required.
Application:
WFU will accept applications until March 31, 2025. Send a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references to Camryn Billen, Executive Assistant, at cbillen@wisconsinfarmersunion.com. Questions and inquiries can be addressed to Executive Director, Julie Keown-Bomar jbomar@wisconsinfarmersunion.com, or Darin Von Ruden, President, dvonruden@wisconsinfarmersunion.com.
Youth Camp Co-Managers
Wisconsin Farmers Union Kamp Kenwood is looking for two people who love being outside and who love kids to lead our 2025 summer program. Our staff spend much of the summer outdoors and having fun while working, teaching, and learning together.
Co-managers will be responsible for planning and running the 2025 youth program at our beautiful camp on the shores of Lake Wissota near Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. These positions will help hire summer staff, plan and implement staff training, facilitate and plan curriculum for the summer, and manage the day-to-day operations of the youth camp program. The co-managers will be responsible for supervising youth and staff, planning, risk management, facilitating and evaluating lessons and activities, working on other organizational projects as necessary, and managing the live-in, residential summer camp setting and at several off-site events around the state. During youth camps, the co-managers must live on site at the camp facility.
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Qualifications:
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Experience, desire and ability to work with and relate to children and peers in an outdoor environment.
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An interest in the outdoors, cooperatives, and/or social justice and enthusiasm for sharing that interest with children is preferred.
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Some knowledge and training in agriculture and/or natural science is preferred.
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A sense of humor, creativity, and initiative.
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Desire and ability to work as part of a team.
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Willingness to abide by the policies and practices of the Wisconsin Farmers Union.
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Willingness to place the safety and needs of campers and camp above personal desires.
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Good health and stamina necessary to work in the camp setting.
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Associates or Bachelor’s degree experience in education preferred.
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Applications will be Reviewed as Received
To Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume to Julie Bomar, Executive Director at Wisconsin Farmers Union Email: jbomar@wisconsinfarmersunion.com. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, until the positions are filled.
Mercantile Retail Associate
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We are seeking a friendly, dependable Retail Associate to join our team. This part-time role focuses on operating the retail store, assisting customers, and ensuring a welcoming shopping experience. This is an exciting opportunity to engage with the community and promote locally sourced products.
Key Responsibilities:
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Customer Service: Provide exceptional service, assist shoppers, and share knowledge about our locally sourced products.
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Store Operations: Handle transactions, manage cash registers, and maintain a clean, organized retail environment.
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Inventory Support: Stock shelves, monitor inventory levels, and assist with ordering and restocking as needed.
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Merchandising: Set up displays to highlight seasonal and holiday items and share the story of the farmers who produce the products. Help recruit new WFU members into the organization and sell their product at the Mercantile.
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Ambassador for Wisconsin Farmers Union: Meet and greet customers and visitors to MOR, help maintain a clean and friendly building, water plants, and help maintain the overall cleanliness and amiability of the premises. Share knowledge about WFU and the building with the general public.
How to Apply:
Submit your resume and 3 references to WFU Director of Development Danielle Endvick at dendvick@wisconsinfarmersunion.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Retail Development Intern
We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Retail Development Intern to join our team. The intern will work closely with the Director of Development and will play a crucial role in running and marketing The Mercantile, a unique retail space that showcases WFU members’ products. This position offers hands-on experience in marketing and retail operations, including inventory management, sales tracking, and promotional strategies.
Key Responsibilities:
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Promotion: Support the creation and execution of promotional strategies, including in-store displays, social media campaigns, and community outreach efforts.
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Market Research: Conduct research on industry trends and explore new product/farmer partnership opportunities to expand The Mercantile’s offerings and operations.
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Inventory Management: Assist in tracking inventory levels, product turnover, and stock replenishment.
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Sales Tracking: Assist in creating methods for monitoring sales performance, analyzing sales data, and generating reports to inform decision-making.
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Online Store Development: Assist with creation of an online sales portal for apparel.
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Merchandise Design and Creation: Assist in designing and developing merchandise, including t-shirts, hats, and other apparel, from concept through production. This includes creating design mock-ups, selecting materials, and coordinating with vendors to ensure quality and timely delivery.
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Ambassador for Wisconsin Farmers Union: Meet and greet customers and visitors to MOR, help maintain a clean and friendly building, water plants, and help maintain the overall cleanliness and amiability of the premises. Share knowledge about WFU and the building with the general public.
How to Apply:
Submit your resume and 3 references to WFU Director of Development Danielle Endvick at dendvick@wisconsinfarmersunion.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Youth Camp Summer Staff
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Wisconsin Farmers Union is looking for summer staff who love being outside and who love kids. Our staff spend much of the summer outdoors and having fun while working, teaching, and learning together.
Education and Competencies:
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Must currently be 18 years of age or older.
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Certified lifeguards encouraged to apply; certification may be made available to interested but non-certified hires.
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Current certification in First Aid and CPR or individual willing to complete certification course during designated training day.
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Prior camp experience and/or interest in the Wisconsin Farmers Union camp program.
Qualifications:
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Experience, desire and ability to work with and relate to children and peers in an outdoor environment.
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An interest in agriculture, the outdoors, cooperatives, and/or social justice and enthusiasm for sharing that interest with children is preferred.
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Some knowledge and training in natural science is preferred.
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A sense of humor, creativity, and initiative.
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Desire and ability to work as part of a team.
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Willingness to abide by the policies and practices of the Wisconsin Farmers Union.
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Willingness to place the needs of campers and camp above personal desires.
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Good health and stamina necessary to work in the camp setting.
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The acceptance of irregular work hours.
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The acceptance and understanding that employment is at a resident (overnight) camp.
Commitment:
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Preparation and training begins June 9th; position is live-in.
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Residential camp begins July 9th and ends July 31st, with time off July 3-6. Camp activities throughout the day & evening, with time off scheduled each day, with some work days longer or shorter depending on the camp and other responsibilities.
Work Environment:
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The work is performed on-site, almost exclusively outdoors at the organization’s 23 acre camp facility, WFU Kamp Kenwood, on the Yellow River Channel/Moon Bay area of Lake Wissota, adjoining Lake Wissota State Park.
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Acceptance of irregular work hours.
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Acceptance and understanding that employment is at a resident (overnight) camp.
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Acceptance of living with and working with a small group of individuals for the duration of the camp.
Non-Discrimination Policy
The Wisconsin Farmers Union prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, family/parental status, age, disability, socio-economic or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These include employment, youth and adult programs, membership, selection of vendors, appointment of board members and selection of grantees, volunteers and representatives.