Jessie L. Shafer
Confluence
Summary
Passionate and experienced agriculturist with a strong background in program development, funding acquisition, and partnership building. Committed to advancing agricultural education by collaborating with farmers, small businesses, and local governments to address emerging issues and opportunities. Skilled in creating engaging presentations, fact sheets, videos, and social media campaigns, with a proven ability to connect producers and communities through innovative outreach.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
10
10
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work History
Grant Writer and Program Developer
Mini Sota Agricultural Children's Museum
Benson
04.2025 - Current
- Researched funding opportunities to align proposals with organizational goals.
- Developed grant proposals tailored to specific funding requirements and guidelines.
- Collaborated with local farmers to enhance educational resources and opportunities.
- Conducted workshops on sustainable farming practices for students and community members.
- Collaborated with program staff to gather necessary information for proposal development.
- Managed records, scheduling, and logistics for educational programs.
- Implemented feedback to improve engagement and program success.
- Developed lesson plans for agriculture curriculum and instructional activities.
- Maintained relationships with funding agencies through regular communication and updates.
- Tracked deadlines and ensured timely submission of all grant applications.
- Completed grant applications with supporting documentation to secure funding proposals, grant application narratives and budgets to finalize with development prior to submittal.
- Tracked grant opportunities, deadline dates and required materials.
- Identified new sources of grant funding, including corporate, private, and government grants.
- Prepared budgets reflecting estimated costs associated with proposed projects or initiatives.
- Developed and cultivated good relationships with potential and consistent donors to support funding objectives.
- Oversaw post-award management activities such as tracking expenditures against budget projections.
- Managed multiple deadlines while working on multiple projects simultaneously.
Agriculture Instructor/FFA Advisor
Salisbury Elk Lick School District
01.2019 - 06.2025
- Managed records, scheduling, and logistics for educational programs.
- Implemented feedback to improve engagement and program success.
- Developed lesson plans for agriculture curriculum and instructional activities.
- Facilitated hands-on learning experiences in plant and animal science.
- Collaborated with local farmers to enhance educational resources and opportunities.
- Conducted workshops on sustainable farming practices for students and community members.
- Guided students in agricultural project management and supervised presentations.
- Coordinated field trips to agricultural sites for experiential learning opportunities.
- Engaged with parents and community stakeholders to promote agriculture education programs.
- Provided individualized instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners.
- Drafted grant proposals seeking funding for agriculture programs.
- Evaluated existing curriculum for improvement opportunities.
- Encouraged open communication between faculty members and students.
Agriculture Instructor/FFA Advisor
Turkeyfoot Valley School District
Confluence
08.2016 - 08.2019
- Assisted students with career exploration and decision-making.
- Resolved concerns and inquiries while maintaining strong professional relationships.
- Managed records, scheduling, and logistics for educational programs.
- Implemented feedback to improve engagement and program success.
- Developed lesson plans for agriculture curriculum and instructional activities.
- Facilitated hands-on learning experiences in plant and animal science.
- Collaborated with local farmers to enhance educational resources and opportunities.
- Conducted workshops on sustainable farming practices for students and community members.
- Guided students in agricultural project management and supervised presentations.
- Coordinated field trips to agricultural sites for experiential learning opportunities.
- Engaged with parents and community stakeholders to promote agriculture education programs.
- Provided individualized instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners.
- Drafted grant proposals seeking funding for agriculture programs.
- Evaluated existing curriculum for improvement opportunities.
- Encouraged open communication between faculty members and students.
Agriculture Instructor and FFA Advisor
Savage Public Schools
Savage
05.2014 - 05.2015
- Developed curriculum for agriculture programs and hands-on training sessions.
- Facilitated workshops on sustainable farming practices and environmental stewardship.
- Collaborated with local farmers to enhance community agricultural initiatives.
- Managed records, scheduling, and logistics for educational programs.
- Implemented feedback to improve engagement and program success.
- Developed lesson plans for agriculture curriculum and instructional activities.
- Facilitated hands-on learning experiences in plant and animal science.
- Collaborated with local farmers to enhance educational resources and opportunities.
- Conducted workshops on sustainable farming practices for students and community members.
- Guided students in agricultural project management and supervised presentations.
- Coordinated field trips to agricultural sites for experiential learning opportunities.
- Engaged with parents and community stakeholders to promote agriculture education programs.
- Provided individualized instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners.
- Drafted grant proposals seeking funding for agriculture programs.
- Evaluated existing curriculum for improvement opportunities.
- Encouraged open communication between faculty members and students.
Education
Master of Science - Agriculture & Extension Education
South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD 09.2019 - 08.2025
Bachelor of Science - Agriculture & Extension Education - Production
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 08.2010 - 05.2014
Skills
- Grant writing
- Curriculum development
- Project management
- Workshop facilitation
- Community engagement
- Educational program design
- Agricultural practices
- Effective communication
- Research and analysis
- Goal tracking
- Report writing
- Budget development
- Document management
- Organizational skills
- Relationship building
- Deadline management
Certification
- Pennsylvania Teaching License
- Pennsylvania Pesticide Applicators License
- CPR/First Aid
- OSHA 10
Career Focus
Passionate and experienced agriculturist with a strong background in program development, funding acquisition, and partnership building. Committed to advancing agricultural education by collaborating with farmers, small businesses, and local governments to address emerging issues and opportunities. Skilled in creating engaging presentations, fact sheets, videos, and social media campaigns, with a proven ability to connect producers and communities through innovative outreach.
Timeline
Grant Writer and Program Developer
Mini Sota Agricultural Children's Museum
04.2025 - Current
Master of Science - Agriculture & Extension Education
South Dakota State University
09.2019 - 08.2025
Agriculture Instructor/FFA Advisor
Salisbury Elk Lick School District
01.2019 - 06.2025
Agriculture Instructor/FFA Advisor
Turkeyfoot Valley School District
08.2016 - 08.2019
Agriculture Instructor and FFA Advisor
Savage Public Schools
05.2014 - 05.2015
Bachelor of Science - Agriculture & Extension Education - Production
The Pennsylvania State University
08.2010 - 05.2014