Agriculture Outreach Manager

The Nature Conservancy • Minnesota, IL

3d • $60,000 - $80,000 • Remote

About The Position

The Agriculture Outreach Manager (AOM) builds relationships with organizations that support farmers from a variety of backgrounds within the Upper Mississippi River Foodscape. The AOM will network and strengthen ties with those communities, especially by developing resources to support their economic and environmental resilience. They will use their project management skills to manage projects with partners – setting realistic deadlines, managing a timeline, and ensuring accountability. They will work to increase farmers’ access to advisors (regulatory, financial, and agronomic) and their access to information and knowledge, like programmatic and technical assistance. The AOM will work to increase farmers’ economic resilience by increasing access to markets for the crops farmers want to grow. They will also work to build partner organizations’ capacity in a collaborative and advisory capacity.
The North America Agriculture (NA Ag) Program is looking for an Agriculture Outreach Manager to support our engagement with farming communities and the organizations that serve them in the Upper Mississippi Foodscape. The NA Ag program is a highly matrixed team that works closely with TNC’s widely dispersed staff in divisions; state business units (BUs); and whole system and global teams to scale up the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices and programs across the Upper Midwest. We work with public agencies, companies, NGOs, and others to unlock financial and technical assistance; support producer-led networks; bolster innovation and technology; and advocate for policies that enable agriculture practices that improve environmental and social outcomes. The ideal candidate will have exceptional relationship-building skills and experience working with farming communities in the Upper Midwest. This individual will leverage and build on their project management skills to advance projects that improve the economic livelihoods of farming communities. Individuals that thrive in a team environment but are comfortable working independently and collaborating with remote colleagues will be most successful in this role. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the ongoing mission of conservation by directing and shaping the work of our team!

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, community development, agricultural education, conservation, or similar field, and 5 years’ experience in community development and/or agriculture education; or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Experience communicating with the public including presenting to community leaders, government officials, or related; and working in partnership with other organizations.
• Experience using applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, database management, and web browsers.
• Experience working with partners/government agencies without violating any restrictions related to conflicts of interest, lobbying former employers, or influencing decision makers.
• This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers."
• Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

Nice To Haves

• Fluency in English, Spanish, Hmong, Somali, or other languages relevant to farming communities in the Foodscape region.
• Experience working with farming communities in the Foodscape region.
• Knowledge of current trends in regenerative agriculture, including cover cropping, crop diversification, agroforestry, and pastured livestock.
• Grant/proposal writing and management experience.
• Demonstrated social and emotional intelligence by successfully engaging and motivating others to support a new path forward, building energy and involvement to sustain results over time.
• Excellent communication skills in written, spoken, and graphical means.
• Experience interpreting guidelines to achieve desired results.
• Strong organizational skills, accuracy, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Successful experience implementing program strategic goals.

Responsibilities

• Gain cooperation from outside parties to accomplish program goals.
• Financial responsibility may include working within/managing a budget to complete projects, negotiating and contracting with vendors, assisting with budget development, meeting fundraising targets, and providing input for proposal writing.
• Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
• Under minimal supervision, makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and context.
• Travel domestically within the Upper Mississippi Foodscape region (IL, IA, MN, and WI) and work flexible hours, as needed.

Benefits

• TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level