Texas Agriculture Specialist

Who We Are

American Farmland Trust (AFT) is the only national organization that takes a holistic approach to agriculture, focusing on the land, the agricultural practices used on that land, and the farmers and ranchers who steward it. Since 1980, AFT has supported the protection of millions of acres of farmland, advanced environmentally sound practices, and supported thousands of farm families. 

This work is especially urgent in Texas, where farms and ranches face growing pressure from urban sprawl, population growth, climate change, water scarcity, and energy development. AFT’s Farms Under Threat 2040 research identifies Texas as having the highest concentration of threatened agricultural land in the nation, with 2.2 million acres projected to be converted to real estate development by 2040. In the Texas Panhandle, where producers are already navigating drought, Ogallala Aquifer depletion, and changing market conditions, supporting improved soil health practices in grazing and cropping systems is needed to help keep working lands viable, productive, and in agriculture. 

Position Summary

The Texas Agriculture Specialist will lead AFT’s on-the-ground program development and relationship building in the Texas Panhandle, supporting farmers and ranchers as they adapt to changing environmental and economic conditions. Working in a region facing significant water scarcity, this position will help producers transition to practices that improve soil health, reduce reliance on irrigation, and strengthen long-term farm viability. The Specialist will serve as a trusted local presence, building relationships with producers, partners, and institutions to establish AFT’s footprint and catalyze long-term program growth in the region. 

This role will focus on increasing adoption of regenerative grazing and cropping systems through a variety of activities, such as peer-to-peer mentorship programs, technical assistance, and partnership development. The Specialist supports established mentor networks in the Resilient Grazing Network and the Texas Grazing Network statewide with particular emphasis on the Texas panhandle. They will also help to develop strategies for supporting farmers in adopting soil health practices within cropping systems. 

Duties and responsibilities 

• Build and maintain strong relationships with farmers, ranchers, and regional partners to support adoption of regenerative grazing and cropping systems 
• Lead local implementation of mentor network models, including working closely with the Texas Grazing Network Sr Manager (Sr Manager) to recruit, onboard, and support mentors throughout the life of their mentorship 
• Facilitate the delivery of tools, training, and ongoing coordination with mentors to support effective land steward engagement, including guidance on goal setting, practice implementation, troubleshooting barriers, documenting progress over time, and connecting participants to additional technical assistance as needed 
• Work with the Texas Director, Sr Manager, and partner organizations to explore strategies that support the advancement of soil health practices in cropping systems within the Texas Panhandle, such as peer-to-peer networks, technical assistance, and other outreach activities  
• Assist in the recruitment of land stewards to participate in mentorship opportunities, training, and peer-learning activities, with attention to producers interested in improving grazing practices, soil health, drought resilience, water-use efficiency, and whole-farm viability 
• Assist with soil sampling and related data collection activities to help land stewards establish baseline conditions, monitor changes over time, and understand how regenerative grazing and cropping practices affect soil health 
• Organize mentor training events in collaboration with AFT staff and external partners, including coordinating logistics, supporting facilitation, and working with partners to develop training materials that are practical, regionally relevant, and aligned with program goals 
• Support mentors in the provision of direct technical assistance and resource navigation to producers transitioning to regenerative practices, including the development of conservation plans for grazing management, regenerative cropping systems and other soil health approaches 
• Organize and execute workshops, field days, and learning circles that address regional challenges such as water scarcity, drought resilience, and farm viability in the Panhandle and beyond 
• Collaborate with AFT staff and partners to adapt curriculum, outreach materials, and program strategies for the Texas Panhandle context 
• Connect producers to financial and technical resources, including state and federal conservation programs and funding opportunities 
• Contribute to storytelling and communications efforts by elevating producer experiences, identifying case studies, and supporting outreach materials in collaboration with communications staff 
• Track program activities, producer engagement, and outcomes to inform continuous improvement and future funding opportunities 
• Conduct site visits with mentor network participants to support mentor/ land steward relationships, assess progress, and data collection