Agricultural Stewardship Associate

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in New York.

📋 Description

• Assist in the ongoing activities of the Demonstration Farm Network in New York by collaborating directly with farming partners to design, implement, and sustain trials of innovative conservation techniques.

• Engage proactively with Demonstration Farm Network associates through consistent, structured communication, including individual check-ins and farm visits, to enhance collaboration and strengthen relationships among participating farmers.

• Offer agronomic support to partner farms, providing advice on crop production, soil health practices, nutrient management, and the conservation of natural resources, among other areas.

• Support trial-related data collection, management, and analysis, encompassing economic data, soil health evaluations, soil sampling, and biomass or forage sampling, among others.

• Deliver technical assistance to farmers across the region interested in adopting conservation practices, including helping them access state, federal, and various financial or technical assistance programs.

• Act as a subject matter expert, providing technical knowledge for both internal and external audiences, which includes creating presentations, developing educational and technical resources, case studies, fact sheets, and other materials to convey the advantages of soil health and conservation practices.

• Organize and facilitate outreach initiatives that encourage peer-to-peer learning and engagement, such as field days, walks, workshops, and webinars.

• Facilitate and coordinate partnerships with a diverse array of agricultural and conservation professionals, including AFT state and national staff, USDA NRCS, New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Cornell University and Cooperative Extension, farmers, crop consultants, and others.

• Represent the organization at public events, field days, and educational programs to advocate for conservation goals and share success stories.

• Collaborate with AFT’s Communications team to actively promote initiatives and identify storytelling opportunities through social media, blog posts, fact sheets, videos, and other platforms.

• Partner with the Ag Stewardship Program Manager to set annual program and budget goals, contribute to funding proposals and reports, and devise strategies for expanding Demonstration Farm Network activities.

⛳️ Requirements

• At least 7 years of professional experience in agriculture, conservation planning, or applied research related to soil health, sustainable agriculture, conservation, or agroecology.

• A college degree in a relevant field can substitute for up to 4 years of work experience.

• Extensive knowledge of Northeast agriculture or conservation in agroecosystems, along with an understanding of farmers and farming culture.

• Must be an independent and reliable worker; willing and able to perform fieldwork in various weather conditions effectively.

• Direct experience working with farmers and landowners on soil health or conservation is highly preferred.

• A proven history of building and maintaining strong working relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, both internal and external.

• Demonstrated ability to create effective partnerships with Extension educators, soil and water conservation districts, USDA and state agency personnel, and other professionals, as well as training and supporting farmers and landowners is highly advantageous.

🏝️ 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" annually.

• Vacation Leave: Accrue 15 days in the first year, increasing by one day each subsequent year to a maximum of 20 days per year.

• Holidays: AFT observes twelve fixed holidays and provides a week off between Christmas and New Year's (all offices closed), plus a selection of up to three floating holidays (depending on hiring month).