Southeast Grazing Network Coordinator

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.

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.

The Position 

The Grazing Mentor Network (GMN) is a multi-state initiative that seeks to create a large peer-to-peer network made up primarily of beginning, small-scale, and underserved Producers and promotes the use of best management and regenerative grazing practices to improve environmental and economic outcomes in beef cattle production. 

The GMN is a five-year pilot program funded through AFTs Climate-Smart Beef Project and will focus on six states in the Mid Atlantic (PA, MD, VA) and Southeast (GA, AL, MS) with an objective of building a network of over 600 beef cattle producers across these states. 

Each state will have nine Mentor Producers, who will be the primary source of technical assistance to participants. Each state will have a Grazing Network Coordinator who will coordinate the activities of the Mentors in their state.

The Grazing Network Coordinator is a part-time role (1100 hrs. per year) that will provide the primary link between American Farmland Trust (AFT) and Grazing Mentors in their respective state and will be responsible for coordinating all technical assistance programs, Mentor and Mentee applications and onboarding, data collection and reporting, and administrative compliance within the Climate-Smart beef project.   

Expectations: 

• Live in one of the GMN states (PA, MD, VA, GA, AL, MS).
• Experience collaborating and coordinating diverse groups of beef cattle producers. 
• Frequent instate travel required to meet Mentors and Mentees, and some interstate travel to attend training and workshops (travel costs will be reimbursed). 
• Access to the internet and competency with email, word processing and spreadsheet applications. 
• Part time position with an average 20hrs per week, this position is remote with approximately 30 in-state travel days year 1, increasing to 45 in-state travel days in years 2-5 (milage reimbursed for use of personal vehicle). Attendance at a 3-day soil health workshop/training is also required each year. 

Specific Duties and Responsiblities: 

Development and Delivery of Technical Training Programs/Curriculum. 

• Provide input for State/Region specific training programs within the GMN curriculum, including, but not limited to, regenerative grazing management and other best management practices that seek to enhance soil health, and achieve the goals and objectives as laid out in CLM-27 Climate Smart Beef Project. 
• Assist AFT in the delivery and dissemination of these training programs to Mentors, Mentees, and other producers within their State/Region through participation in one-on-one and group trainings. 
• Aid Mentors in delivering TA to their mentees, including traveling with Mentors within their state to visit Mentees. 

Identification, Screening, and Onboarding of GMN Mentors. 

• Work with AFT personnel and partners to help identify potential GMN mentors within their State/Region. This may include contacting producer groups and organizations, existing grazing mentor networks, groups and organizations that support HUPs, and State and Federal agencies, academic institutions. 
• Once identified, Mentor Coordinators shall assist with the onboarding of Mentor Sub-awardees into the GMN program. This will include managing, with the help of AFT technical and administrative personnel, the contracting and signup of Mentors under the Sub-awardee agreement, defining Mentor roles and responsibilities,  

Data Recording, Reporting, Management and Compliance. 

• Coordinate CPA-52 efforts. 
• Assist Mentors and Mentees with USDA-FSA signup and ongoing reporting as required under CLM-27. 
• Assist Mentors and Mentees in signup for programs provided by partner NGOs such as AgriWebb, Indigo Ag, and EarthOptics, and provide ongoing support to ensure that required data is collected, reported, and that Mentees/Producers are receiving program benefits. 
• Grazing Network coordinators will also be engaged in evaluation efforts where appropriate and may be asked to respond to evaluation surveys and/or participate in interviews.  

Administration of Correlated AFT Programs and Initiatives, and Opportunities with OTHER Agencies. 

• Assist with the implementation of co-curricular AFT programs including, but not limited to, farmland protection, succession planning, and outreach to Historically Underserved Producers (HUPs). 
• Promote financial assistance opportunities for best management practice adoption with other agencies.