Farmer Engagement Support Coordinator

This position is supported through Advancing Markets Program grants designed to strengthen grassland resilience and promote management practices that enhance the ecosystem services and productivity of forage-livestock production systems. The successful candidate will work directly with agricultural producers to implement grazing and land management practices and monitor their impacts over time.

The position reports to the State Forage Extension Specialist and the Engagement Supervisor and collaborates closely with producers, Virginia Cooperative Extension agents, Small Farm Outreach Program agents, agency personnel, forage industry partners, and faculty, staff, and students within Virginia Tech's Sustainable Grasslands Lab in the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences.

The successful candidate will provide direct technical assistance to agricultural producers, coordinate and deliver outreach and educational programming, support applied research initiatives, and assist with the administration of grassland management programs. These efforts will focus on advancing resilient, sustainable, and productive grazing systems through the integration of research, Extension programming, and stakeholder engagement.

The role will support producers in implementing best management practices and participate in monitoring and evaluation efforts, including soil health and other ecosystem indicators, to assess the impacts of management changes on participating farms.

Success in this position requires the ability to work collaboratively with farmers, researchers, students, Extension personnel, and community stakeholders. The ideal candidate will be highly organized, possess strong communication and relationship-building skills, and be capable of coordinating field-based research and outreach activities that support both scientific and producer-driven objectives.

-Bachelor's degree in agronomy, crop and soil sciences, animal science, environmental science, agricultural education, natural resources, or a related field; or equivalent education and experience.
-Demonstrated experience working with agricultural producers, landowners, or natural resource stakeholders.
-Knowledge of forage, grazing, pasture, or grassland management principles.
-Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders.
-Ability to work independently, manage multiple projects and priorities, and coordinate activities across multiple locations.
-Experience collecting, managing, and maintaining accurate field, research, or program data.
-Valid driver's license and willingness to travel regularly throughout Virginia, including to farms and field sites.

-Experience with warm-season native grass and/or silvopasture establishment, management, and outreach.
-Experience conducting field research, on-farm trials, or participatory research projects.
-Knowledge of soil health principles, soil sampling techniques, and conservation-oriented agricultural practices.
-Experience developing and delivering educational programming, workshops, field days, or Extension outreach activities.
-Experience coordinating the work of students, interns, volunteers, or research personnel.
-Familiarity with grant-funded projects and associated reporting requirements.

4

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Restricted

50,000-60,000

40

07/19/2026 (Open until filled)

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

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