Texas Program Manager at American Farmland Trust – Austin, Texas

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.

Job Purpose
AFT’s Texas Program was re-established in 2023 in response to the urgent and accelerating loss of agricultural land and the mounting climate and water pressures facing the state. Texas is projected to lose 2.2 million acres of farmland and ranchland by 2040, by far more than any other state, underscoring the critical need for strategic, statewide intervention to keep working lands productive and resilient. AFT’s Texas program now deploys a comprehensive suite of initiatives designed to protect high value agricultural lands, advance regenerative soil and water stewardship, strengthen farm viability for both new and transitioning producers, and guide responsible renewable energy development that supports — not replaces — agriculture.

The Texas Program Manager (Manager) is an integral part of AFT’s Texas regional program reporting to the Texas Director. The Manager should be based in Texas with the ability to work remotely. This role combines a unique blend of experience in communications and policy advocacy with program management to strengthen AFT’s visibility and impact in the region. The manager will focus on supporting communications and policy goals across the Texas Region and deepen our farm viability programming as summarized below:

• Strategic Communications – leads strategic communications and strategy development working across the Texas Program’s project areas while also rolling up sleeves and producing and implementing communications deliverables (50%)
• Program Management – Oversee programs related to farm viability including land transfer and succession planning, land access, and outreach and engagement activities including targeted fundraising and partnership development. (35%)
• Policy – high level oversight and tracking of policy priorities at the state and local level to set the stage for expanding AFT’s policy role in Texas (15%)

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Communications

• Lead and implement a strategic communications and outreach plan to elevate AFT’s Texas Program, strengthen partnerships, and support fundraising.
• Produce impactful content (fact sheets, blogs, articles, speeches, videos) that inform farmers and ranchers, partners, funders, and general audiences broadly, both across AFT’s Texas Regional Program and in support of individual projects.
• Maintain clear, consistent external messaging, and be prepared to be the voice of AFT in Texas seeking public speaking opportunities, representing AFT at state and national conferences, and managing media relationships to advance AFT’s visibility.
• Work with national, regional, and project staff to disseminate content across social media, earned media, newsletters, partner networks, websites, etc.

Program Management

• Provide program level oversight of farm viability activities in Texas for projects that provide direct support to farmers and ranchers, such as land access, farm transfer and succession planning, and outreach and engagement activities, including budget management and work planning.
• Lead fundraising efforts related to this portfolio of projects collaborating closely with Texas Director and national development staff to support prospecting and pipeline management.
• Develop and steward partnerships to strengthen relationships and identify gaps within this portfolio where AFT can be a valued contributor to advancing this work in the state.
• Provide direct management and supervision of staff working on these projects.

Regional Policy

• Evaluate and guide AFT’s state and local policy priorities in collaboration with the Texas Director and National Policy team.
• Track relevant Texas legislation and policy developments, providing updates and recommendations to AFT staff, especially on land protection, regenerative agriculture, and farmer and rancher support.
• Represent AFT in policy dialogues with partner organizations, legislative leaders, allied advocacy groups, and state agencies.
• Occasionally, perform more in-depth policy work: in collaboration with AFT staff and partners, research, draft, and edit legislative proposals related to agriculture and farmland conservation, and related funding; and support advocacy efforts through the preparation of written and oral testimony as needed.