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
As a Climate Solutions Implementation Specialist, you will help farmers access and utilize the unprecedented new US government funding to implement conservation practices that have climate resilience and emissions mitigation benefits. You will bring your farming experience and understandings of climate solutions to support farmers in navigating USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs that provide financial incentives like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). In addition to doing outreach to support farmers in accessing programs, you also support farmers and other landowners who have already secured financial assistance in overcoming any barriers to implementing these practices. You will assist farmers with a wide range of agronomic and engineering practices by helping to find more funding, consulting other technical experts, finding supplies or specialized equipment, and coordinating with stakeholders. Climate Solutions Implementation Specialists also contribute to outreach and educational event planning to promote awareness and interest among the farming community in practices that have climate benefits. This is an exciting and historic opportunity to work on climate solutions in the farming community and help farmers and other agricultural producers implement conservation practices that have climate resilience and emissions mitigation benefits.
The ideal candidate will have existing connections within the farm community and will have experience working with a wide variety of farm types and with diverse populations. You will use your real-world experience on farms to provide actionable assistance to farmers seeking to implement conservation practices on their land. You will work in a unique role, as an AFT employee on a team of Implementation Specialists working across New England, and in deep cooperation and frequent coordination with the funder, NRCS. The Climate Solutions Implementation Specialist will provide implementation assistance for Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry (CSAF) practices on NH farms, communicate with and attend meetings with NRCS and AFT staff in NH, and coordinate one on-farm event each year that demonstrates high-priority practices and provides advanced training opportunities related to carbon sequestration practices, tillage reduction, cover cropping, edge-of-field and habitat planting, or soil carbon amendments.
Responsibilities Include:
- Assist the NRCS NH Assistant Conservationist for Field Operations in identifying priority farmer clients for targeted technical assistance and support.
- Coordinate climate-related practice workshops for farmers and technical service providers in collaboration with NRCS and AFT staff.
- Establish direct contact with farmers holding NRCS financial assistance contracts, using various methods (e-mail, phone, on-site visits).
- Aid in the interpretation and layout of practices, advise on practice implementation, and follow-up on completed practices.
- Work with farmers to identify barriers to project completion. Furnish necessary technical assistance directly, where possible. Connect the farmer with external sources of assistance.
- Identify areas where practices implementation within the existing contract requirements is not possible and communicate the need for re-evaluation to NRCS.
- Maintain extensive documentation of work with farmers, establish and maintain program files and documents for program delivery, and support the maintenance of program contract files.
- Assist field office staff in contacting program applicants and work with farmers to compile necessary data for contract completion.
- Maintain workload registers with information from contracts for needed follow-up and perform follow-up tasks.
- Maintain mailing and contact lists for program delivery.
- Attend NRCS field operations team leadership meetings as needed.
- Develop and curate a deep contact list of service providers and contractors across the state.
- Contribute to outreach materials for farmers regarding climate change, conservation practice implementation, and NRCS programs.
- Coordinate outreach and services with other AFT Implementation Specialists, relevant NRCS field staff and partner planners as needed for efficiency and expertise.
- Participate in trainings as appropriate.
