Illinois Demonstration Farm Manager

Savanna Institute

1d • $65,000 - $75,000 • Remote

About The Position

The Savanna Institute invites applications for an Illinois Demonstration Farm Manager to manage three Savanna Institute-managed agroforestry production-focused demonstration farms. This position will work closely with Savanna Institute staff, Canopy Farm Management, farm operators, and landholders to manage field operation decisions, crop enterprises, harvest, post-harvest, and processing, and support demonstration, research, commercialization, and education activities.

This position will report to the Demonstration Farm Network Director
This position will require travel using a personal vehicle with mileage reimbursement
If the applicant is not currently located in East-Central Illinois, they must be willing to relocate for the position
This position involves both fieldwork (40%) and office work (60%)

Requirements

• 5 years of direct farming experience
• 3 years of perennial agriculture experience (fruits, nuts, forage, etc.)
• 1 year farm management experience (farm management defined here as being the primary decision maker for crop planning, field operations, staff, sales, etc.)
• Demonstrated experience working in a commercial and/or wholesale environment (commercial and/or wholesale defined here as harvest, post-harvest, handling, transport, and sale of agricultural products to wholesale buyers, aggregators, and/or distributors)
• Ability to lift 50+ pounds
• Strong communication skills
• Commitment to participating in an open and collaborative environment
• Openness to participating in the development and establishment of new systems
• Willingness to work independently with strong self-direction
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation

Nice To Haves

• Experience with farm financials (operating budgets, enterprise budgets, profit and loss statements, business plans, etc.)
• Experience in the agroforestry practices of alley cropping, riparian buffers, alley cropping, and/or silvopasture
• Experience with farming and land management equipment (tractors and associated implements, mowers, powered hand tools, etc.)
• Experience in agricultural research and education
• Public speaking experience
• Experience hosting farm tours, field days, workshops, and trainings

Responsibilities

• Illinois Agroforestry Demonstration Farm Management (40%)
• Work closely with Canopy Farm Management at Vernal Ridge and 4-H Memorial Camp Farm to:
• Build, review, and maintain Anticipated Management Plans (AMPs) for two farm properties
• Review and provide feedback on monthly scouting and management reports for two farm properties
• Coordinate harvest, post-harvest, processing, storage, and sales activities
• Support Canopy staff in achieving good management outcomes through education, training, and close communication
• Ensure staff, environment, and food safety
• Work closely with Fields Restored farm operators to:
• Build, review, and maintain Anticipated Management Plans (AMPs) for that site
• Conduct scouting and management trips and share information with farm operators
• Support farm operators in achieving good management outcomes through education, training, and close communication
• Participate in fieldwork (fence repair, tree pruning, weed management, census work, etc.) when needed
• Ensure staff, environment, and food safety
• Work closely with landholders and tenant row crop farmers on all three farm properties to:
• Manage annual leases, including lease changes, renewals, and payments
• Support tenants in achieving good management outcomes through education, training, and close communication
• Co-create agroforestry systems that support landholder, farmer, and organizational goals
• Work closely with Savanna Institute staff on all three farm properties to:
• Ensure consistent management for the scientific rigor of field experiments
• Support research, commercialization, demonstration, and education goals
• Co-create mutually beneficial projects
• Update and maintain accurate farm records
• Perennial Crop Enterprise Creation and Management (40%)
• Build a comprehensive business plan for crop enterprises
• Build and maintain enterprise budgets for multiple production systems, including:
• Hardwood and grain alley cropping
• Fruit and nut alley cropping
• Multi-functional riparian buffer
• Work with SI’s Commercialization Team and Canopy Farm Management to plan and execute harvest, post-harvest, processing, and sales for
• 2+ acres of elderflower and elderberries (in production)
• 2+ acres of black currants (in production)
• 4+ acres of hybrid hazelnuts (production expected Fall 2027)
• 4+ acres of heartnuts (production expected Fall 2028-2030)
• Black locust and other hardwood trees (expected production date unknown)
• IL Demonstration Farm Demonstration, Education, and Outreach Activities (10%)
• Work with the Regional Agroforestry Educator, Demonstration Farm Network Director, and other staff to draft, review, and edit demonstration and education materials, including but not limited to:
• maps
• signage
• technical and educational materials
• videos and other media
• Team and Organization Work (10%):
• Daily, weekly, and monthly team, department, and all staff meetings, and associated work
• Collaborative work within the Demonstration Farm Team
• Budgeting, financial, and metric tracking, reporting, and other items required through partnerships and grant obligations, in coordination with other Savanna Institute staff
• Grant writing and other fund development to support the work of the Agroforestry Adoption Team. Work in coordination with other staff on developing charitable, sponsor-based, and revenue-based financial support for these programs
• Participation in organization-wide activities, such as goal setting and planning, trainings, and other Savanna Institute initiatives

Benefits

• This position is eligible for the Institute’s benefits package.
• Benefits for full-time employees include 20 days of paid time off annually, plus 11 civic holidays, 12 weeks of parental/disability leave annually, a dependent care flex spending account, a 401(k) retirement savings plan, reimbursement of healthcare costs (including ACA marketplace premiums) via an HRA plan, and a monthly home office stipend.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees