Agriculture Outreach Manager

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Agriculture Outreach Manager (AOM) builds relationships with organizations that support farmers from a variety of backgrounds within the Upper Mississippi River Foodscape. The AOM will network and strengthen ties with those communities, especially by developing resources to support their economic and environmental resilience. They will use their project management skills to manage projects with partners – setting realistic deadlines, managing a timeline, and ensuring accountability. They will work to increase farmers’ access to advisors (regulatory, financial, and agronomic) and their access to information and knowledge, like programmatic and technical assistance. The AOM will work to increase farmers’ economic resilience by increasing access to markets for the crops farmers want to grow. They will also work to build partner organizations’ capacity in a collaborative and advisory capacity.

Responsibilities & Scope

• Gain cooperation from outside parties to accomplish program goals.
• Financial responsibility may include working within/managing a budget to complete projects, negotiating and contracting with vendors, assisting with budget development, meeting fundraising targets, and providing input for proposal writing.
• Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
• Under minimal supervision, makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and context.
• Work environment involves only infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements and minor physical exertion and/or strain.
• Travel domestically within the Upper Mississippi Foodscape region (IL, IA, MN, and WI) and work flexible hours, as needed.

This is a full-time, 2-year grant-funded position with the possibility of extension based on continued grant funding. Working location is remote from a home office (or nearby TNC office if space is available) in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, or Wisconsin, with preference given to locations within the Upper Mississippi River Foodscape region.

We’re Looking for You

The North America Agriculture (NA Ag) Program is looking for an Agriculture Outreach Manager to support our engagement with farming communities and the organizations that serve them in the Upper Mississippi Foodscape. The NA Ag program is a highly matrixed team that works closely with TNC’s widely dispersed staff in divisions; state business units (BUs); and whole system and global teams to scale up the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices and programs across the Upper Midwest. We work with public agencies, companies, NGOs, and others to unlock financial and technical assistance; support producer-led networks; bolster innovation and technology; and advocate for policies that enable agriculture practices that improve environmental and social outcomes. The ideal candidate will have exceptional relationship‑building skills and experience working with farming communities in the Upper Midwest. This individual will leverage and build on their project management skills to advance projects that improve the economic livelihoods of farming communities.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, community development, agricultural education, conservation, or similar field, and 5 years’ experience in community development and/or agriculture education; or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Experience communicating with the public including presenting to community leaders, government officials, or related; and working in partnership with other organizations.
• Experience using applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, database management, and web browsers.
• Experience working with partners/government agencies without violating any restrictions related to conflicts of interest, lobbying former employers, or influencing decision makers.

Desired Qualifications

• Fluency in English, Spanish, Hmong, Somali, or other languages relevant to farming communities in the Foodscape region.
• Experience working with farming communities in the Foodscape region.
• Knowledge of current trends in regenerative agriculture, including cover cropping, crop diversification, agroforestry, and pastured livestock.
• Grant/proposal writing and management experience.
• Demonstrated social and emotional intelligence by successfully engaging and motivating others to support a new path forward, building energy and involvement to sustain results over time.
• Excellent communication skills in written, spoken, and graphical means.
• Experience interpreting guidelines to achieve desired results.
• Strong organizational skills, accuracy, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Successful experience implementing program strategic goals.

Auto Safety Policy

This position requires a valid driver’s license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy‑owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered “high risk drivers.” A Vehicle Use Agreement may be required, including a review of the motor vehicle record.

Salary Information

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $60,000 - $80,000 for annual base salary (subject to required tax withholdings). This range applies only to candidates whose country of employment is the USA.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law. The successful applicant must meet the requirements of the background screening process. We are committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.