Grower Relations Manager

Anticipated start date:  February 1, 2025

Job Type: Full Time, Exempt with benefits

Experience: At least 3 years preferred

To Apply: Please send your cover letter and resume to JOBS@suscon.org, and include “Grower Relations Manager” in the subject line. 

Sustainable Conservation (a leading non-profit in its field) advances the collaborative stewardship of California’s land, air, and water for the benefit of nature and people. Every day, we bring together businesses, landowners, and government in some of the most productive yet economically disadvantaged parts of California, to steward the resources on which we all depend in ways that are just and make economic sense. Please visit www.suscon.org to learn more about our work. 

POSITION SUMMARY: 

Sustainable Conservation has an exciting opportunity that will play a key role in helping expand the impact of our long-standing Waste Not program. This program helps improve drinking water quality in the San Joaquin Valley by identifying and scaling on-farm solutions that reduce nitrate leaching to groundwater. We have a proven track record working in partnership with dairies and related businesses, and we are seeking an experienced Grower Relations Manager to lead our outreach and relationship-building with dairy producers, farmers, and associated agricultural businesses. This position will expand our existing strong relationships, develop outreach and guidance based on partner and producer experiences, and provide technical assistance to support adoption of new practices.

The primary focus for this position will be implementing and eventually leading our five-year USDA Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) grant. The project aims to drive sustainable agricultural practices by implementing manure subsurface drip irrigation (MSDI) systems across 3,500 acres of dairy forage cropland in California’s San Joaquin Valley. The Grower Relations Manager will work collaboratively with partners – including NRCS, dairy producers, and industry groups –to ensure project goals are met. Some other responsibilities include identifying and communicating with dairy prospects, coordinating trainings and technical assistance, tracking data and farmer experiences, developing outreach and field events, and managing project timelines.

This position will work in both field and office settings. The ideal candidate will bring farming and agronomic experience, excellent relationship-building skills, and strong project management skills, in addition to a passion for helping farmers understand practices that are good for their business and for the environment.

This is an exciting opportunity for a professional passionate about agriculture, conservation, and sustainability to make a meaningful impact.

Location: This role will be based out of our Modesto office. Our teams work in a hybrid work environment with an option to work remotely a few days a week. The role will require significant amount of travel in the San Joaquin Valley area in addition to periodic travel throughout the state. If you live anywhere in San Joaquin Valley Area, we encourage you to apply. Relocation is not required if you live anywhere in San Joaquin Valley Area.

Primary Responsibilities 

• Coordinate and manage grower outreach and partner communications for the USDA Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) grant to assist in achieving overall project goals.
• Use innovative methods to promote the RCPP grant opportunity to dairy producers and related organizations to achieve the project goal of adoption across 3,500 acres of dairy forage by 2029.
• Manage and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with key partners and stakeholders, including dairy producers, irrigation manufacturers, irrigation dealers, environmental consultants, NRCS, and others.
• Create dairy-to-dairy site visit opportunities and networks for dairy producers to learn from each other.
• Co-develop and implement training sessions for dairy producers, environmental consultants, and dealers on MSDI system operation and agronomic applications.
• Interview producers to understand their implementation successes and challenges, and document the learnings.
• Develop and maintain outreach materials and best management practices (BMP) guidance to support the project's educational goals.
• Track and report measurable outcomes, including acres installed, yield, water applied, and nitrogen applied.
• Organize and host field day events, workshops, and educational sessions to showcase MSDI systems and their benefits to dairies and other stakeholders.
• Develop and manage timelines, tasks, deliverables, and budgets to ensure compliance with grant requirements.
• Provide regular updates and reports to internal staff, partners, and funders.
• Any other projects/duties as assigned 

Experience and Skills Required 

• Problem-solving skills – Will be critical for navigating challenges and implementing innovative solutions in a highly collaborative, dynamic environment.
• Adaptability – Necessary for responding to evolving project needs and dynamic situations.
• People skills/personable – Critical for building and maintaining relationships with diverse partners, including farmers, non-profits, and funders.
• Exceptional verbal communication and strong public speaking skills – Crucial for engaging diverse audiences and effectively sharing information, both in individual conversations and in meetings, field days, and outreach events.
• At least 3 years’ experience with farms or the agricultural industry; nutrient management and/or irrigation knowledge a plus – Important for effectively supporting MSDI system installations and producer training.
• Strong organizational and project management skills – Fundamental for managing multiple tasks, coordinating with external partners, meeting deadlines, and ensuring project milestones are achieved.
• Willingness and ability to learn technical knowledge quickly – Essential for understanding dairies, irrigation systems and nutrient management to conduct outreach and support technical assistance.
• Ability to work both collaboratively and independently – Ensures flexibility in team settings and individual task management.
• Ability to document conversations and develop written materials – Necessary for creating guidance documents, notes, and reports based on input from dairy producers and others.
• Ability to work productively in both field and office environments – Ensures efficiency in all aspects of the project.
• Strong computer skills (MS applications like Excel, Word, PowerPoint) – Required for reporting, analysis, and presentations.
• Basic Spanish language skills a plus – although not required, some level of proficiency in Spanish could help with in-field conversations and technical assistance.
• Keen interest in climate-resilient agriculture and related knowledge – Drives motivation and alignment with project and organizational goals.
• Commitment to principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion – Supports the organization’s values and stakeholder engagement.
• Valid CA Driver’s License and a willingness to travel – Necessary for field visits and stakeholder meetings.
• Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (including booster) – Required for compliance with organizational policies.

Compensation: The compensation for this position will be in the range of $89,430-$98,577 annually. Please note that the exact offered pay will be determined by factors including but not limited to education, experience, the external labor market, and internal equity.

What we offer: A competitive compensation package based on experience, fully paid health insurance benefits, generous match on 401k, FSA, EAP, vacation, floating days, sick leave, plus the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day as holiday leave. Our greatest benefit is our culture. Our staff is collaborative, dedicated, and caring. We believe in articulating and practicing our values (Collaboration, Respect, Results, Honesty, Learning, Well-Being) at work and have a strong commitment to bringing a DEI lens to our work and workplace culture. At Sustainable Conservation we value culture and diversity and as an equal opportunity employer we encourage qualified individuals from all backgrounds to apply to our job openings.