Who We Are
American Farmland Trust (AFT) 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.
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.
Job Purpose
Reporting to the Director of Land Protection Projects, the Easement Monitoring and Stewardship Manager is responsible for monitoring and stewarding land protected by AFT. This role plays a key part in ensuring the long-term protection of agricultural lands and supports the overall functions of the Land Protection team.
Position Summary
As a vital member of AFT’s Land Protection team, the Easement Monitoring and Stewardship Manager serves as the primary point of contact for landowners, farmers, and ranchers. The Manager is responsible for monitoring AFT’s agricultural conservation easements across the U.S. and conducting stewardship activities in alignment with AFT’s policies and Land Trust Standards and Practices, ensuring sustainable use and protection of conserved lands.
Duties and responsibilities
- Manages AFT’s stewardship of its easements and other land conservation interests. Addresses landowner requests and questions related to easement terms; implements conservation easement defense standards and practices; monitors easements for compliance with agricultural conservation restrictions.
- Serves as point of contact for items related to AFT easements and easement stakeholders including, landowners, property managers, farmers and ranchers, neighbors, partner organizations and other AFT staff. Continuously works to cultivate positive working relationships with landowners.
- Responsible for on-site annual monitoring visits to AFT’s portfolio of more than 120 protected farms and ranches in approximately 25 states. Demonstrates best practices for monitoring visits and subsequent reporting.
- Work in coordination with the Land Protection Projects Director and Legal staff to address complex stewardship items such as easement interpretation, use requests and approvals, amendments, easement assignments and transfers and AFT’s response to easement violations.
- Assist with developing regenerative agricultural land management plans that complement AFT’s easement acquisitions.
- Develop parcel maps using ArcGIS Pro.
- Works closely with the Land Protection Operations Team (LP Ops) to ensure stewardship operational standards in line with the eligibility requirements for the Land Trust Alliance’s Terrafirma insurance program. Coordinates with LP Ops to ensure AFT’s easement recordkeeping and other functions are in alignment with Standards and Practices and Terrafirma.
- Actively update and maintain monitoring and stewardship CRM.
- Participate in regular meetings of the Legal and Stewardship staff to discuss pressing stewardship items and foster internal collaboration.
- Works with the Director of Land Protection and Operations team to inform resource needs as part of AFT’s annual budgeting work planning processes.
- Provides support for other AFT programmatic functions, as requested.
