Farm Manager and Lead Agronomist

Corteva Agriscience • Woodland, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

At Corteva Agriscience, you will help us grow what’s next. No matter your role, you will be part of a team that is building the future of agriculture – leading breakthroughs in the innovation and application of science and technology that will better the lives of people all over the world and fuel the progress of humankind. The Farm Manager and Lead Agronomist is a key member of the Crop Health R&D Field Science team based in Woodland, California. This role is responsible for overseeing all farm management and agronomic operations at a 40‑acre research farm supporting vegetable, permanent, and row crops. The successful candidate will lead day‑to‑day agronomic execution—including field preparation, planting, irrigation, pruning, harvest, and pest management—while partnering closely with station scientists to ensure research plots are delivered on time and to specification. This position requires deep hands‑on agronomy expertise in specialty crops, strong people leadership skills, and the ability to manage infrastructure, equipment, and contract labor to support high‑quality applied agricultural research focused on crop protection efficacy and crop safety.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Crop Science, Agronomy, Plant Sciences, or a related field or a minimum of 5 years of direct experience in a comparable farm management and agronomy role.
• Demonstrated expertise in specialty crop agronomy, including brassicas, leafy vegetables, cole crops, fruiting vegetables, and trees and vines.
• Significant hands‑on experience with specialty crop farm equipment operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Strong working knowledge of pest management, irrigation systems, planting, crop maintenance, and harvesting requirements for specialty crops.
• California QAL and/or PCA license, or the ability to obtain required licensure within a short time frame.
• Proven ability to lead teams, train staff, and collaborate effectively with scientific and operational stakeholders.
• Proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with the agronomic requirements of applied agricultural field trials strongly preferred.
• Spanish language skills are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all agronomic operations for the research farm, ensuring best practices across field preparation, planting, irrigation, pruning, pest management, and harvest.
• Provide direct leadership to the local agronomy team, contract labor, and interns, ensuring work is performed safely, efficiently, and to research standards.
• Partner with scientists and other stakeholders to plan and execute agronomic activities, serving as both a technical consultant and operational leader.
• Conduct regular crop scouting and monitor plant health, pests, weeds, and irrigation needs; communicate findings and recommendations to scientific staff.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve standard operating procedures (SOPs) for specialty crop production and research support.
• Mix, handle, and apply crop protection products and other inputs in compliance with regulatory, safety, and company requirements.
• Operate, maintain, and oversee farm equipment, ensuring equipment readiness, preventative maintenance, and coordination of repairs.
• Manage overall site upkeep, coordinating with maintenance contractors, cleaning crews, and grounds personnel as needed.
• Ensure compliance with all environmental, health, and safety programs, and actively promote a strong safety culture across the site.

Benefits

• Numerous development opportunities offered to build your skills.
• Be part of a company with a higher purpose and contribute to making the world a better place.
• Health benefits for you and your family on your first day of employment.
• Four weeks of paid time off and two weeks of well-being pay per year, plus paid holidays.
• Excellent parental leave which includes a minimum of 16 weeks for mother and father.
• Future planning with our competitive retirement savings plan and tuition reimbursement program.
• Learn more about our total rewards package here - Corteva Benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees