Agriculture Strategy Fellow

Postition Description:

The Agriculture Strategy Fellow will work closely with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) staff and partners on projects that would advance our agricultural strategies to improve soil health and reduce water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. This is a one-year fellowship open to highly motivated and talented recent graduates from an undergraduate or master’s degree program in Agronomy, Soil Science or a related discipline. The Fellow will perform specific duties to support the Wisconsin chapter’s strategies around agriculture and will also receive a well-rounded learning experience to help prepare them for future conservation careers, including a broad array of activities ranging from prairie restoration to fundraising and marketing. The position will be located in TNC’s Madison, Wisconsin office.

Job Duties:

The Agriculture Strategy Fellow will work closely with Madison staff and TNC partners to implement widespread adoption of beneficial mitigation strategies on farms across Wisconsin.

Tasks may include:

1. Measuring sustainability metrics on dairy farms to create an annual sustainability evaluation;
2. Identify, test and measure farm management practices that improve soil health;
3. Help create 6-15 demonstration farms in Wisconsin that will practically apply sustainability practices to their fields;
4. Conduct interviews with farmers and input data into SnapPlus (soil nutrient application planner).  

As needed and as time allows, the Fellow may also meet with Conservancy staff in other chapters to learn and share lessons from their agricultural strategies. Throughout this fellowship program, Fellows will participate in a broad array of learning experiences and opportunities including field work in TNC project areas and work with key functional areas (e.g., fundraising, marketing). 

Responsibilities & Scope:

• Works closely with a TNC team on agricultural strategies and sustainability practices.
• Interviews farmers and works with them to identify how they can change their practices to work towards sustainability.
• Aggregates data collected from each dairy farm into summary documents and maps to set goals for water quality and other metrics.
• Maintains SNAP plus database.               
• Explores “what if” scenarios for projecting how a practice change on a farm could affect the farm’s footprint.         
• Participates in farm field days, collects data related to soil sampling, and establishes research grids.
• Participates in the work of a broad array of programs at key junctures (stewardship, fundraising, marketing and communications, etc.).
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, in hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.

• Bachelor’s Degree in science related field (Agronomy, Soil Science or related discipline) and 1-year experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Degree completed in the last 18 months. 
• Experience with GIS software and data to create maps.
• Working knowledge of common software applications (e.g. Microsoft Word, Excel, web browser).
• Valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in science related field and/or some conservation related work experience.
• Field experience.
• Knowledge of agriculture policies and sustainable farming practices.
• Experience working in group settings with colleagues, stakeholders, and partners.
• Experience with SNAP plus.
• Time management skills.
• Ability to interpret guidelines and evaluate information and adapt accordingly.
• Ability to work independently and exercise independent judgment.
• Experience with practices taking place on farms.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

To apply to position number 45108, submit resume (required) and cover letter separately using the upload buttons. All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on March 6, 2017.

Click “submit” to apply for the position or “save for later” to create a draft application for future submission. Once submitted, applications cannot be revised or edited. Failure to complete required fields may result in your application being disqualified from consideration.

If you experience technical issues, please refer to our applicant user guide or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.