Farmer Engagement Support Coordinator
This position is supported through Advancing Markets Program grants designed to strengthen grassland resilience and promote management practices that enhance the ecosystem services and productivity of forage-livestock production systems. The successful candidate will work directly with agricultural producers to implement grazing and land management practices and monitor their impacts over time.
The position reports to the State Forage Extension Specialist and the Engagement Supervisor and collaborates closely with producers, Virginia Cooperative Extension agents, Small Farm Outreach Program agents, agency personnel, forage industry partners, and faculty, staff, and students within Virginia Tech's Sustainable Grasslands Lab in the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences.
The successful candidate will provide direct technical assistance to agricultural producers, coordinate and deliver outreach and educational programming, support applied research initiatives, and assist with the administration of grassland management programs. These efforts will focus on advancing resilient, sustainable, and productive grazing systems through the integration of research, Extension programming, and stakeholder engagement.
The role will support producers in implementing best management practices and participate in monitoring and evaluation efforts, including soil health and other ecosystem indicators, to assess the impacts of management changes on participating farms.
Success in this position requires the ability to work collaboratively with farmers, researchers, students, Extension personnel, and community stakeholders. The ideal candidate will be highly organized, possess strong communication and relationship-building skills, and be capable of coordinating field-based research and outreach activities that support both scientific and producer-driven objectives.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in agronomy, crop and soil sciences, animal science, environmental science, agricultural education, natural resources, or a related field; or equivalent education and experience.
- Demonstrated experience working with agricultural producers, landowners, or natural resource stakeholders.
- Knowledge of forage, grazing, pasture, or grassland management principles.
- Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders.
- Ability to work independently, manage multiple projects and priorities, and coordinate activities across multiple locations.
- Experience collecting, managing, and maintaining accurate field, research, or program data.
- Valid driver's license and willingness to travel regularly throughout Virginia, including to farms and field sites.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with warm-season native grass and/or silvopasture establishment, management, and outreach.
- Experience conducting field research, on-farm trials, or participatory research projects.
- Knowledge of soil health principles, soil sampling techniques, and conservation-oriented agricultural practices.
- Experience developing and delivering educational programming, workshops, field days, or Extension outreach activities.
- Experience coordinating the work of students, interns, volunteers, or research personnel.
- Familiarity with grant-funded projects and associated reporting requirements.
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