Area Specialized Agent for Farm Innovation and Agribusiness Management - Central District

Virginia Tech • Danville, VA

11d • $70,000 - $90,000

About The Position

The Area Specialized Extension Agent (ASA) for Farm Innovation and Agribusiness Management provides leadership, guidance, and expertise to producers, Extension agents, and the agricultural community in Virginia Cooperative Extension’s Central District. The home office location is flexible within the district, and the role serves the district’s 20 counties and independent cities.

The agent supports producers facing complex decisions involving land use, technology adoption, research-based practices in crop and animal production, nutrients and nutrition, and soil health. The role also supports economic and business decision-making, including enterprise budgets, profit and loss analysis, financial crisis management, farm labor, and the economics of improvements. The agent evaluates the economic efficacy of new technologies and their potential contribution to the profitability and sustainability of producer operations in their local contexts.

Working closely with Extension agents and specialists, the agent delivers educational programming to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability, while contributing to agricultural sustainability, economic viability, and community well-being in area farming communities.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in agricultural economics or a related discipline.
• Strong knowledge of applied agricultural economics, production, and technology.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Experience working collaboratively with a wide variety of stakeholders, including businesses, community organizations, and/or Extension agents and staff.
• Ability to plan, implement, facilitate, teach, and evaluate educational programs.
• Knowledge and use of computer technology in educational programming and management.
• Strong presentation skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong desire to help clients succeed.
• Driver’s license check with an acceptable and safe driving record required.
• Criminal conviction check required.

Nice To Haves

• Strong knowledge of agricultural production systems.
• Prior experience as an Extension agent.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver educational programs, workshops, and resources for Extension agents and agricultural producers that promote innovative practices to increase farm productivity and efficiency.
• Assist Extension agents and producers with enterprise budgets, cost-benefit analyses, farm labor, financial planning, return on investment for on-farm innovations, and other farm business management topics.
• Conduct economic assessments of agricultural practices, projects, and business decisions to help local farmers maximize profits.
• Collaborate with Virginia Tech specialists on field trials and research programs assessing the economic impact of innovative farming practices.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop external resources to support programs.
• Communicate program impacts with stakeholders.
• Evaluate new technologies for economic efficacy and their potential to contribute to producer profitability and sustainability.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time