New England Policy Manager

AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST•Northampton, MA

4d•Remote

About The Position

American Farmland Trust is the only national organization that takes a holistic approach to agriculture, focusing on the land itself, the agricultural practices used on that land, and the farmers and ranchers who do the work. Since our founding in 1980, AFT has helped permanently protect over 6.5 million acres of agricultural lands, advanced environmentally-sound farming practices on millions of additional acres and helped thousands of farm families make a go of it (primarily through programs that increase farm viability and/or enhance farmland access). Long a pioneering leader, AFT is now riding a new wave of growth, driven by agriculture’s most pressing needs and opportunities. The New England Policy Manager advances policies that keep farmers on the land across the region through stakeholder coordination, coalition management, policy research, and strategic communications. This position manages the day-to-day operations of the Working Lands Alliance (an advocacy coalition) in Connecticut and supports AFT’s state policy advocacy throughout New England. Under the supervision of the Senior Manager, External Affairs – New England (SMEA), the New England Policy Manager manages Working Lands Alliance operations, coordinates multi-state policy advocacy activities, conducts policy research and analysis, and builds relationships with diverse stakeholders to advance AFT’s New England policy platform. This position exercises judgment within defined procedures and policies to determine appropriate action and provides input into annual division objectives and work plans. Due to regular visits to the Connecticut Statehouse, we ask all candidates to live within 90 mins of the statehouse.

Requirements

Strong understanding of farmland protection, agriculture, food systems, farmland access, soil health, and/or natural resource conservation
Experience working in the New England policy landscape
Experience managing coalitions or multi-stakeholder initiatives
Background in legislative advocacy or lobbying
Experience working with agricultural communities
Lives within 90 minutes or within easy reach of Hartford, Connecticut
Highly organized with demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks, policy issue areas, and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
Strong analytical skills with ability to research complex policy issues and synthesize information for diverse audiences
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to adapt messaging for different stakeholder groups (farmers, policymakers, advocates, public)
Significant experience in public speaking and group facilitation
Committed to creating diverse coalitions and promoting/centering issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in policy work
Self-directed with ability to exercise judgment within defined guidelines and work independently with general supervision
Strong relationship-building skills and ability to work collaboratively with diverse partners
Experience managing projects and coordinating multiple stakeholders
Track record of managing legislative campaigns, lobbying, and having leadership in national, state, and/or local policymaking processes
Outgoing, engaging, and community-oriented individual who is passionate about agriculture and farmland conservation
Experience in donor cultivation and completing donor reports
Proficient with MS365, Teams and Google Workspace (required)
Experience with virtual meeting platforms (Zoom, Teams, etc.)
Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of professional experience in farmland protection, energy, agricultural conservation, policy advocacy, coalition management, or related field, OR Advanced degree in law, public policy, agriculture, sustainable development, climate policy, conservation, farmland protection, or natural resource planning with 3+ years of relevant experience

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with Salsa, social media platforms, and web content management (preferred)

Responsibilities

Manage day-to-day activities of Working Lands Alliance (WLA) including collaborating with the Steering Committee to set legislative policy agendas
Coordinate WLA sub-committee meetings, schedule monthly meetings, prepare meeting materials, agendas, and presentations
Represent WLA and AFT at Connecticut stakeholder meetings and support AFT’s advocacy efforts in the state under guidance of SMEA
Plan and execute all WLA events including lobby days, WLA’s Annual Meeting, Connecticut Agriculture Day, farm tours, and stakeholder retreats
Manage meeting notes and follow-up communications with stakeholders
Provide input to annual work plans and coordinate implementation of WLA initiatives
Manage WLA administration (office space lease, website hosting contracts, and coordinate lobbying contract administration in Connecticut, etc.)
Plan and execute WLA social media campaigns, regular email updates, and other digital communications
Draft testimony and organizational sign-on letters of support for key policies and programs
Prepare public comments to state agency officials, emails, and event invitations to key state leaders and lawmakers
Research best practices, emerging policy trends, and conduct policy scans in coordination with AFT staff to guide policy development in the region
Research topics including but not limited to farmland protection, farmland access, climate disaster relief, renewable energy siting, business technical assistance, and soil health initiatives
Analyze policy proposals and provide recommendations to SMEA on strategic opportunities
Monitor legislative developments across New England states and report on key issues
Draft policy briefs, white papers, and analysis documents (e.g., Option to Purchase at Agricultural Value, PFAS contamination on farmland, etc.)
Plan and execute AFT New England policy outreach events (lobby days, tabling, field visits, etc.)
Manage all event logistics: reserve event space, coordinate caterers and speakers, send invitations, and coordinate follow-up
Coordinate programs for diverse stakeholders across multiple formats such as webinars, networking events, and educational workshops
Evaluate event success and provide recommendations for improvements
Draft testimony and organizational sign-on letters of support for key policies and programs
Prepare public comments to state agency officials, emails, and event invitations to key state leaders and lawmakers
Develop blogs, press releases, action alerts, and other advocacy documentation
Communicate key policy initiatives related to farmland protection, farmland access, climate-smart agriculture, smart solar siting, and PFAS contamination to stakeholders, policymakers, and the public
Respond to inquiries from farmers, landowners, organizations, and the public regarding AFT’s policy work
Build and maintain relationships with coalition partners, policymakers, and agricultural organizations
Help build farmer engagement with AFT’s policy agenda through phone, email, and attendance at conferences with SMEA
Coordinate internal meetings and communications to ensure timely completion of program activities

Benefits

Vacation
Medical
Retirement
Insurance coverage begins the 1st of the month following the date of hire.
Medical & Prescription Coverage
Dental Coverage
Vision Coverage
Company Paid Life Insurance & Long-Term Disability (LTD)
Voluntary Life Insurance
Flexible Spending Account (FSA) – Healthcare & Dependent Care
Health Savings Account (HSA)
401k Plan
Sick Leave: Regular full-time employees accrue 13 “sick days” per year.
Vacation Leave: Accrue 15 days during the first year increasing by one day per year to 20 days per year maximum.
Holidays: AFT observes twelve fixed holidays and a week between Christmas and New Years off during the year (all offices closed) plus a choice of up to three (depending on hiring month) floating holidays.