Conservation Agronomist

Great River Greening is seeking a Conservation Agronomist to promote regenerative agriculture and environmental restoration across Minnesota. The role involves educating farmers, conducting fieldwork, analyzing data on soil health and water quality, managing projects, and collaborating with various stakeholders. Candidates should have a degree in a relevant field and experience in outreach or research related to sustainable agriculture and conservation practices.
About the position

The Conservation Agronomist at Great River Greening plays a crucial role in advancing regenerative agriculture practices and environmental restoration efforts. This position involves collaborating with a dedicated team to implement projects focused on soil health, water quality, and sustainable agricultural practices across various regions in Minnesota. The role requires both independent fieldwork and teamwork to educate and assist local farmers and landowners in adopting conservation practices that enhance ecosystem health and resilience to climate change.

Responsibilities
• Provide education on conservation agronomy and sustainable agriculture, including conservation practice benefits and implementation information.
,
• Gather field-based data, including soil health assessments, soil sampling, and vegetation sampling, as well as the organized management of field data.
,
• Analyze data to evaluate cropping system impact on soil carbon, soil health, and water quality.
,
• Manage the silvopasture (agroforestry) project by managing the budget, organizing vegetation surveys and soil samples, hosting monthly team meetings, planning events with partners, managing subcontracts, and assisting with video production.
,
• Assist other staff with livestock and cropping specifications across restoration projects.
,
• Assist in preparation of grant applications to obtain funding for program initiatives related to climate change, environmental management, and/or sustainability.
,
• Write and review management plans and assess those produced by Greening staff, contractors, and partners, where applicable.
,
• Develop outreach and training material including reports, webpages, flyers, videos, one-pagers, social media posts, and podcasts.
,
• Foster collaborations among peer NGOs, government agencies, academic institutions, watershed districts, and agricultural partners.
,
• Serve as a connecting point for local farmers and landowners to present regenerative agriculture, agroforestry, agroecology, soil health, and climate adaptation opportunities available.
,
• Provide technical assistance to farmers and assist in enrolling farmers in NRCS Farm Bill programs in coordination with NRCS offices across the state.
,
• Assist the organization in calculating its climate and carbon sequestration/storage objectives in its regenerative agriculture projects.
,
• Represent Great River Greening at volunteer events, public meetings, and in interaction with public and private landowners.
,
• Plan, coordinate, and host community events, farmer dinners, one-on-one consultations, and stakeholder meetings to promote and celebrate continuous living cover and silvopasture/agroforestry in coordination with local businesses and landowners.
,
• Attend and participate in conservation and volunteer planning meetings.
,
• Participate in fundraising functions under the direction of Development and Operations.
,
• Perform other related tasks as required.

Requirements
• Bachelor's degree in plant or soil sciences, agronomy, environmental science, or related field.
,
• At least one year of experience in direct professional outreach or applied research relating to soil health, sustainable agriculture, conservation, agroecology, regenerative agriculture, climate change, ecology, water quality, or environmental analysis.
,
• In-depth knowledge of Midwestern agronomic principles and conservation/regenerative practices, especially cover crops, soil health, ecosystem service markets, grazing, agroforestry, agroecology, and edge-of-field practices.
,
• Experience collaborating with the agricultural community, including communicating with, consulting, or providing technical assistance to farmers and agriculture industry professionals.
,
• Ability to manage complex and collaborative projects, tracking, and developing budgets and bid proposals, independently and in collaboration with a team.
,
• Possess an understanding of current climate adaptation techniques and/or carbon storage/sequestration practices and approaches.
,
• Valid driver's license and access to transportation to conduct site visits and meetings with partners.

Nice-to-haves
• Experience planning and coordinating events and managing registration.
,
• Familiarity with native plant community types of the Upper Midwest and good plant identification skills.
,
• Comfortable speaking to groups ranging from 5 to 30 participants.
,
• Experience managing and conducting field surveys for plant, soil, and water sampling as well as management and analysis of collected data.
,
• Understanding of ecological management and agroecology systems.
,
• Some experience in ArcPRO (preferable), ArcMap, or Google Earth. Aerial photo interpretation a plus.

Benefits
• Paid holidays
,
• Health insurance
,
• Dental insurance
,
• 401(k)
,
• Flexible spending account
,
• Paid time off
,
• Vision insurance
,
• Flexible schedule
,
• Life insurance
,
• Retirement plan