Pacific Northwest Training and Education Manager

Who We Are

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 Position

The Pacific Northwest Training and Education Manager will support women and other underserved farmers, ranchers, and non-operating landowners in advancing stewardship of their land, with a focus in the state of Oregon. This role will utilize and adapt the learning circle model of AFT’s Women for the Land initiative. The PNW Training and Education Manager will work in collaboration with regional and national staff to advance shared programming and achieve mutual goals.

Position Summary
As an integral part of the PNW regional team, the PNW Training and Education Manager will work in collaboration with AFT’s regional program and national initiative staff, as well as external partners, to advance holistic approaches to engaging women and underserved communities in agriculture and expanding farmer, rancher, and non-operating landowner adoption of climate-smart practices across Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.

Duties and responsibilities

• Develop and support relationships with women and other historically underserved farmers, ranchers, and landowners, to accelerate the adoption of conservation practices on agricultural land across Oregon.
• Lead and manage the design and execution of a series of peer-to-peer educational events (Learning Circles) focused on climate-smart agricultural practices, farmland transition, and other relevant topics in multiple areas of Oregon.
• Manage the design and execution of train-the-trainer workshops, using national Women for the Land tools as a reference, for agricultural service providers to build skills in working with women and other historically underrepresented producers.
• Engage farmers, landowners, and other stakeholders in identifying barriers to climate-smart agricultural practice adoption.
• Plan and implement on-farm demonstrations, field days and workshops to reach a wide agricultural demographic; facilitate access to one-on-one technical and financial assistance.
• Facilitate and coordinate partnerships with a diverse network of agricultural and conservation professionals including AFT state and national staff, USDA NRCS, Oregon Department of Agriculture and Markets, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Oregon State University Cooperative Extension, farmers, crop consultants and others.
• Coordinate with AFT’s communications team to identify and assist with Oregon-based storytelling opportunities through social media, blog posts, profiles, fact sheets, videos and other mediums.
• Represent AFT and its work at public meetings, field days, and educational events across Oregon.
• Actively build relationships with new funding and programmatic partners, creating opportunities to expand and deepen conservation programs for underrepresented farmers and landowners.
• Collect program metrics, track budgets, and support grant reporting; provide input for other programmatic or regional focus areas as needed.

Required Qualifications, Education & Experience

• Direct experience working with farmers, ranchers, agricultural landowners, rural communities, and agricultural and conservation organizations.
• Direct experience working with women, veterans, and other groups underserved in agriculture.
• Demonstrated understanding of environmental, social, and economic issues facing different populations of farmers, ranchers, and agricultural communities.
• Experience designing and facilitating peer-to-peer education or training, specifically with farmers, ranchers, landowners, and related stakeholders.
• A track record of developing and maintaining strong working relationships with and among a diverse group of partners, including Extension educators, soil and water conservation districts, USDA, NRCS, and state agency personnel and other agricultural service providers.
• Experience creating spaces where marginalized communities can intentionally gather and feel safe.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, specifically an aptitude for public speaking, meeting facilitation, and developing effective public education materials.
• Experience creating engaging public outreach campaigns and polished communication tools.
• Experience managing grant-funded projects.
• Facility with Microsoft Office Suite and social media.
• An intellectual curiosity, understanding, and enthusiasm for AFT’s mission.
• Support for a strong team culture of shared learning, innovation and problem solving.
• A valid U.S. driver's license and access to reliable transportation.
• Willingness to travel in the region up to 25% of one’s time.
• Must be based in Oregon and possess a strong working knowledge of agricultural landscapes and issues in the Pacific Northwest.

Working Conditions

• This position is remote based in Oregon.
• This position requires regular travel to, and activities on, farms and ranches in rural communities.
• This position requires frequent travel throughout Oregon and occasional trips elsewhere in the Pacific Northwest region.

Compensation

American Farmland Trust offers excellent vacation, medical, retirement and other benefits. The salary range for this position is from $63,000 to $68,000 based upon experience.

American Farmland Trust offers a complete benefits package:

• Medical & Prescription Coverage
• Insurance coverage begins the 1st of the month following the date of hire.
• 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)
• 401(k) with 10% match after six months of employment
• Sick Leave: Regular full time employees accrue 3.5 hours per pay period (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
• Holidays: The Company observes eleven holidays during the year (all offices closed): plus, choice of 3 other floating holidays depending on hiring date

Why you should apply:

• Be a part of a purpose-driven, committed, knowledgeable, high-performing, experienced and fun team
• A diverse and inclusive work environment
• A cause and mission you can be proud of
• Competitive compensation & benefits
• Remote work opportunities
• Flexible scheduling

Timeline

Applications must include a resume AND cover letter to be considered. Applications will be accepted until the role is filled. First review of applications will be on November 1st, 2024. 

We believe diversity drives innovation. We are inclusive. We embrace differences. We recognize and respect the fundamental value and dignity of all our employees. We celebrate the unique traditions, heritages, and experiences our employees bring to the workplace. We are committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive culture that promotes and values diversity, and where everyone feels empowered to bring their authentic selves to work every day. Please see AFT’s statement on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice.