Pacific Northwest Grazing Specialist

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.

Job Purpose 

Reporting to the Idaho Senior Program Manager, the Pacific Northwest Grazing Specialist works directly with livestock producers, ranchers, grazing land managers, conservation partners, and agricultural service providers to improve the ecological and economic viability of grazing operations throughout Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. 

The position serves as the lead coordinator for the Pacific Northwest Grazing Network (“Grazing Network”), a producer-led peer-to-peer learning and mentorship network designed to accelerate the adoption of regenerative grazing management, improve soil health, strengthen drought resilience, enhance profitability, and support the long-term stewardship of working lands across the region. 

Position Summary 

The Pacific Northwest Grazing Specialist will lead the development, coordination, and expansion of a regional grazing network modeled after American Farmland Trust's Texas Grazing Network. The position combines producer outreach, mentor recruitment and support, educational programming, partnership development, and program evaluation. 

The successful candidate will work closely with livestock producers, grazing mentors, conservation districts, Cooperative Extension, Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), state agencies, tribal partners, universities, land trusts, and agricultural organizations to create a vibrant regional community of practice focused on regenerative grazing and grassland stewardship. 

The position will facilitate peer-to-peer learning opportunities, enlist and coordinate grazing mentors, develop educational resources in partnership with technical advisors, and support the implementation of grazing management strategies that improve environmental outcomes and ranch profitability. 

Duties and Responsibilities 

• Grazing Mentor Network Coordination 
• Recruit, train, support, and retain experienced grazing mentors throughout the Pacific Northwest and match producers with these grazing mentors based on geography, production systems, resource concerns, and learning objectives. 
• Collaborate with internal AFT staff and external technical advisors to address technical challenges and identify innovative grazing management solutions. 
• Coordinate regular mentor training events and professional development opportunities. 
• Producer Outreach and Education 
• Develop and implement outreach strategies in collaboration with partners to engage livestock producers across diverse production systems and geographies. 
• Organize and coordinate field days, pasture walks, ranch tours, workshops, webinars, grazing schools, and other educational events. 
• Work with producers, mentors, and partners to showcase successful grazing management practices and producer-led innovations. 
• Represent AFT at agricultural conferences, producer meetings, trade shows, and conservation events. 
• Partnership Development and Program Coordination 
• Build and maintain strong relationships with regenerative grazing partners to identify opportunities for collaboration and resource sharing. 
• Participate in regional and national grazing, soil health, and working lands initiatives. 
• Contribute to grant implementation, reporting, program evaluation, and fundraising activities as needed. 

This is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities. Management reserves the right to revise the job or request other or different duties as assigned.