Midwest Farmland Associate (Indiana)

Midwest Farmland Associate (Full-Time)
 Indiana (Remote)

Who We Are
American Farmland Trust (AFT) 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. 

We believe diversity drives innovation. We are inclusive. We embrace differences. We recognize and respect the fundamental value and dignity of all our employees. We celebrate the unique traditions, heritages, and experiences our employees bring to the workplace. We are committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive culture that promotes and values diversity, and where everyone feels empowered to bring their authentic selves to work every day. Please see AFT’s statement on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice.
 

What You Will Do
The Midwest Farmland Associate position offers an exciting opportunity to help carry out the strategic agenda of a growing, forward-looking conservation organization. Reporting to the Midwest Farmland Protection Manager, the Midwest Farmland Associate will play an integral role in supporting AFT’s farmland protection, access, and transfer work in the region, with an emphasis on growing programming in Indiana. The Associate will support the Farmland Protection Manager to ensure the achievement of current and future program objectives, specifically concerning AFT’s Land Transfer Navigator project and Indiana policy efforts. The Associate will also work with other AFT regional and national programs - including but not limited to Farms for a New Generation – and partners to grow farmland protection, transfer, and access programming in the Midwest Region. 

AFT’s Midwest Region includes 8 states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin, with much of our programming occurring in Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Wisconsin. Our team works with farmers, landowners, and partner organizations to implement programming focused on farm stewardship, farm viability, and farmland protection.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinate logistics for virtual and in-person programs, outreach, and fundraising events, including registrations, meeting room rentals, webinar logistics and support, meeting materials, catering, A/V, and other support. 
• Assist and support program staff with outreach events, including agenda and speaker coordination, and representing AFT at events as needed. 
• In coordination with AFT’s Policy Team and Midwest Regional Program, offer support for local and state farmland protection policy development, and develop or support coalitions to further state policy actions around farmland retention, protection, and land access.
• Provide communications staff with content for social media campaigns, regular email updates, and other digital communications.
• Support the development of educational and outreach materials to support AFT’s land protection, access, and transfer efforts.  
• Respond to email and phone inquiries from farmers, landowners and the public, and serve as a Land Transfer Navigator as part of the Land Transfer Navigator project.  
• Represent AFT at public meetings, field days, educational events and in the community at large.   
• Work on other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

• Extensive familiarity with the Midwest region's farmland protection, access, transfer, and succession issues, with a special emphasis on Indiana. 
• Experience and comfort interacting with diverse stakeholders, including farmers, agricultural landowners, land trusts, advocates, agency staff and extension educators.
• Ability to thrive, be flexible and humble, and deliver high-quality outcomes in a dynamic, growing organization, often under time pressure. 
• Experience with event planning and execution is strongly preferred
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills with demonstrated public speaking and presentation skills.
• Familiarity with grant writing and reporting. 
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple tasks, stay organized and follow through, and seek support when needed.
• Ability to communicate effectively with the public and staff.
• Organized and detail-oriented with a demonstrated commitment to high-quality professional work.
• Commitment to becoming knowledgeable about the programs and activities of the American Farmland Trust.
• Dedication to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice within AFT, agriculture, and the food system.
• Willingness to undertake limited work travel.
• A master’s degree in a relevant field or a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and a minimum of 5 years of related work experience in natural resources, conservation, land protection, agriculture, and project management. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite is preferred. 
• Strong editing, writing, filing, and proofreading skills are a plus.

Compensation
American Farmland Trust offers excellent vacation, medical, retirement and other benefits. The salary range for this position is from $65,000 to $70,000 based upon experience. 

American Farmland Trust offers a full benefits package for full time employees:

• Insurance coverage begins the 1st of the month following the date of hire.
• Medical & Prescription Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Company Paid Life Insurance & Long-Term Disability (LTD)
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) – Healthcare & Dependent Care
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• 401(k) with 10% match after six months of employment
• Sick Leave: Regular full-time employees accrue 3.5 hours per pay period (13 “sick days” per year).
• Vacation Leave: Accrue 15 days during the first year increasing by one day per year to 20 days per year maximum.
• Holidays: AFT observes eleven fixed holidays during the year (all offices closed) plus a choice of up to three (depending on hiring month) floating holidays.

Why you should apply

• Be a part of a purpose-driven, committed, knowledgeable, high-performing, experienced and fun team
• A diverse and inclusive work environment
• A cause and mission you can be proud of
• Competitive compensation & benefits
• Remote work opportunity   

Timeline

Please answer the screener questions and be sure to include a resume AND cover letter to be considered. While applications will be accepted until the position is filled, applicants who apply with a resume or CV and cover letter will be reviewed first. Apply Here.

We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, expression or identity, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Farmland Trust complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which we have facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.