Livestock & Grazing Specialist at American Farmland Trust – New River Valley

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.

The Position

The Grazing Specialist position offers an exciting opportunity to help livestock producers accomplish their ecological, economic, and management goals for their operations. In this role you will work closely with AFT Mid-Atlantic staff and Virginia Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) state and field office staff to improve and create planning templates, develop prescribed grazing plans, provide follow-up technical assistance and guidance to livestock graziers. You will also collect grazing records, complete annual monitoring as needed, coordinate and conduct producer outreach and education events, promote farm bill programs, and support producers in the area through implementation of Farm Bill programs. You will also connect producers in the area with ‘wraparound’ services to help meet production or business goals.

This position is currently funded for a three-year term based on available funding. However, AFT is committed to the long-term success of this work and will actively pursue additional funding opportunities to support continued employment whenever possible. This position will be based in the New River Valley. You will work in a unique role, as an AFT employee, but in deep cooperation and frequent coordination with the position funder, NRCS. The Livestock and Grazing Specialist will work with AFT’s Mid-Atlantic Director and NRCS State Grazing Specialist to guide your workflow to assure it is integrated with NRCS needs and utilizes the full depth of both AFT and NRCS resources and expertise.

What You’ll Be Working On
This position will write and support grazing plans and conduct education and outreach activities in the New River Valley, and work closely with state and field office NRCS staff to:

• Work with Virginia NRCS State Grazing Specialist to improve or create planning templates that can be used by AFT and other NRCS partners to collect key information about producers and their operations to inform the conservation planning process.
• Receive referrals from the NRCS State Technical Contact or other designated staff, contact farmers, and make field conservation planning visits.
• Work with the planner to compile necessary information for planning and implementation of some activities including grazing plan maps.
• Provide farmers with information on financial assistance opportunities
• Assist with outreach for the project by participating in on-farm events, connecting with local agriculture groups, contacting interested farmers, etc.
• Participate in virtual and in-person training.
• Develop prescribed grazing plans that meet NRCS standards and specifications.
• Provide follow-up technical assistance and guidance to livestock grazing producers who are currently implementing prescribed grazing practices.
• Coordinate and conduct producer outreach and education events (i.e., pasture walks, field days, etc.)
• Perform informational duties such as writing news articles, giving talks at meetings, and staffing displays at various outreach events.
• Keep the NRCS program and technical liaisons, and NRCS District Conservationist’s and other applicable NRCS staff regularly appraised of work schedule and project tasks being performed. Provide detailed quarterly report of completed work for NRCS data entry into performance tracking software.
• Promote farm bill programs and support producers in the area through implementation of Farm Bill program contracts as needed by connecting them to technical assistance, following up on questions, and serving as a go-to resource, helping to identify and forestall potential roadblocks and challenges to ensure success.
• Connect producers in area with ‘wraparound’ services to help meet production or business goals not within the scope of the conservation planning process with the support of AFT’s grazing and crops specialists and other partner organizations.
• Demonstrate an awareness of USDA Civil Rights policies and responsibilities and performs all duties in a manner which consistently demonstrates fairness, cooperation and respect to coworkers, office visitors and all others in the performance of official business.
• Complete the following performance measures and annual target completion quantities:
  • New Prescribed Grazing Plans: 5 in year one; 20 in year two
  • On Farm Visits/Consultations: 10 in year one; 40 in year two
  • Outreach events: 4 in year two