Texas Agriculture Specialist

AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST•Lubbock, TX

1d•$70,000 - $75,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Texas Agriculture Specialist will lead AFT’s on-the-ground program development and relationship building in the Texas Panhandle, supporting farmers and ranchers as they adapt to changing environmental and economic conditions. Working in a region facing significant water scarcity, this position will help producers transition to practices that improve soil health, reduce reliance on irrigation, and strengthen long-term farm viability. The Specialist will serve as a trusted local presence, building relationships with producers, partners, and institutions to establish AFT’s footprint and catalyze long-term program growth in the region. This role will focus on increasing adoption of regenerative grazing and cropping systems through a variety of activities, such as peer-to-peer mentorship programs, technical assistance, and partnership development. The Specialist supports established mentor networks in the Resilient Grazing Network and the Texas Grazing Network statewide with particular emphasis on the Texas panhandle. They will also help to develop strategies for supporting farmers in adopting soil health practices within cropping systems.

Requirements

Strong knowledge of agricultural systems in the Southern Great Plains, including grazing, cropping, and water resource challenges
Demonstrated ability to build trust and relationships with farmers, ranchers, and rural communities
Experience delivering technical assistance, outreach, or education programs related to regenerative agriculture, grazing systems, and/ or soil health
Excellent communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences and translate technical concepts into practical applications
Ability to work independently while coordinating across remote teams and partners
Willingness to travel frequently within the Panhandle and occasionally beyond
Minimum of five years of experience in grazing management, ranch management, livestock production, range science, conservation planning, agricultural technical assistance, or closely related fields; OR A bachelor's degree in range science, animal science, agronomy, soil science, agriculture, natural resources, environmental science, or a related discipline and at least three years of relevant professional experience.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of regenerative grazing, soil health principles, dryland and water-limited cropping systems, and conservation practices that support drought resilience, water-use efficiency, and long-term farm or ranch viability
Familiarity with agricultural systems, producer networks, and conservation partners in the Texas Panhandle, Southern Great Plains, or similar agricultural regions
Experience working directly with ranchers and agricultural producers to adopt conservation practices, including organizing producer education events such as workshops, field days, learning circles, or peer-to-peer training opportunities
Experience developing conservation plans, grazing plans, or related implementation plans in collaboration with producers, technical assistance providers, universities, conservation districts, nonprofit organizations, agencies, or other partners
Familiarity with state and federal government programs that provide financial or technical assistance to agricultural producers, including conservation, soil health, drought resilience, and water conservation programs
Experience working with mentors or providing mentorship, peer learning, coaching, or producer-to-producer support in an agricultural, conservation, extension, or community-based setting
Familiarity with United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) conservation programs, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), and regional agricultural networks preferred

Responsibilities

Build and maintain strong relationships with farmers, ranchers, and regional partners to support adoption of regenerative grazing and cropping systems
Lead local implementation of mentor network models, including working closely with the Texas Grazing Network Sr Manager (Sr Manager) to recruit, onboard, and support mentors throughout the life of their mentorship
Facilitate the delivery of tools, training, and ongoing coordination with mentors to support effective land steward engagement, including guidance on goal setting, practice implementation, troubleshooting barriers, documenting progress over time, and connecting participants to additional technical assistance as needed
Work with the Texas Director, Sr Manager, and partner organizations to explore strategies that support the advancement of soil health practices in cropping systems within the Texas Panhandle, such as peer-to-peer networks, technical assistance, and other outreach activities
Assist in the recruitment of land stewards to participate in mentorship opportunities, training, and peer-learning activities, with attention to producers interested in improving grazing practices, soil health, drought resilience, water-use efficiency, and whole-farm viability
Assist with soil sampling and related data collection activities to help land stewards establish baseline conditions, monitor changes over time, and understand how regenerative grazing and cropping practices affect soil health
Organize mentor training events in collaboration with AFT staff and external partners, including coordinating logistics, supporting facilitation, and working with partners to develop training materials that are practical, regionally relevant, and aligned with program goals
Support mentors in the provision of direct technical assistance and resource navigation to producers transitioning to regenerative practices, including the development of conservation plans for grazing management, regenerative cropping systems and other soil health approaches
Organize and execute workshops, field days, and learning circles that address regional challenges such as water scarcity, drought resilience, and farm viability in the Panhandle and beyond
Collaborate with AFT staff and partners to adapt curriculum, outreach materials, and program strategies for the Texas Panhandle context
Connect producers to financial and technical resources, including state and federal conservation programs and funding opportunities
Contribute to storytelling and communications efforts by elevating producer experiences, identifying case studies, and supporting outreach materials in collaboration with communications staff
Track program activities, producer engagement, and outcomes to inform continuous improvement and future funding opportunities
Conduct site visits with mentor network participants to support mentor/ land steward relationships, assess progress, and data collection

Benefits

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