Job Details

Illinois Demonstration Farm Manager

Application Deadline: 8 February 2026

Department: Demo Farms & On-Farm Education

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Remote

Compensation: $65,000 - $75,000 / year

Description

The Savanna Institute invites applications for an Illinois Demonstration Farm Manager to manage three Savanna Institute-managed agroforestry production-focused demonstration farms. This position will work closelywith Savanna Institute staff, Canopy Farm Management, farm operators, and landholders to manage field operation decisions, crop enterprises, harvest, post-harvest, and processing, and support demonstration, research, commercialization, and education activities.

• This position will report to the Demonstration Farm Network Director
• This position will require travel using a personal vehicle with mileage reimbursement
• If the applicant is not currently located in East-Central Illinois, they must be willing to relocate for the position
• This position involves both fieldwork (40%) and office work (60%)

Duties/Responsibilities

• Illinois Agroforestry Demonstration Farm Management (40%)
  • Work closely with Canopy Farm Management at Vernal Ridge and 4-H Memorial Camp Farm to:
    • Build, review, and maintain Anticipated Management Plans (AMPs) for two farm properties
    • Review and provide feedback on monthly scouting and management reports for two farm properties
    • Coordinate harvest, post-harvest, processing, storage, and sales activities
    • Support Canopy staff in achieving good management outcomes through education, training, and close communication
    • Ensure staff, environment, and food safety
  • Work closely with Fields Restored farm operators to:
    • Build, review, and maintain Anticipated Management Plans (AMPs) for that site
    • Conduct scouting and management trips and share information with farm operators
    • Support farm operators in achieving good management outcomes through education, training, and close communication
    • Participate in fieldwork (fence repair, tree pruning, weed management, census work, etc.) when needed
    • Ensure staff, environment, and food safety
  • Work closely with landholders and tenant row crop farmers on all three farm properties to:
    • Manage annual leases, including lease changes, renewals, and payments
    • Support tenants in achieving good management outcomes through education, training, and close communication
    • Co-create agroforestry systems that support landholder, farmer, and organizational goals
  • Work closely with Savanna Institute staff on all three farm properties to:
    • Ensure consistent management for the scientific rigor of field experiments
    • Support research, commercialization, demonstration, and education goals
    • Co-create mutually beneficial projects
  • Update and maintain accurate farm records
• Perennial Crop Enterprise Creation and Management (40%)
  • Build a comprehensive business plan for crop enterprises
  • Build and maintain enterprise budgets for multiple production systems, including:
    • Hardwood and grain alley cropping
    • Fruit and nut alley cropping
    • Multi-functional riparian buffer
  • Work with SI's Commercialization Team and Canopy Farm Management to plan and execute harvest, post-harvest, processing, and sales for
    • 2+ acres of elderflower and elderberries (in production)
    • 2+ acres of black currants (in production)
    • 4+ acres of hybrid hazelnuts (production expected Fall 2027)
    • 4+ acres of heartnuts (production expected Fall 2028-2030)
    • Black locust and other hardwood trees (expected production date unknown)
• IL Demonstration Farm Demonstration, Education, and Outreach Activities (10%)
  • Work with the Regional Agroforestry Educator, Demonstration Farm Network Director, and other staff to draft, review, and edit demonstration and education materials, including but not limited to:
    • maps
    • signage
    • technical and educational materials
    • videos and other media
• Team and Organization Work (10%):
  • Daily, weekly, and monthly team, department, and all staff meetings, and associated work
  • Collaborative work within the Demonstration Farm Team
  • Budgeting, financial, and metric tracking, reporting, and other items required through partnerships and grant obligations, in coordination with other Savanna Institute staff
  • Grant writing and other fund development to support the work of the Agroforestry Adoption Team. Work in coordination with other staff on developing charitable, sponsor-based, and revenue-based financial support for these programs
  • Participation in organization-wide activities, such as goal setting and planning, trainings, and other Savanna Institute initiatives

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• 5 years of direct farming experience
• 3 years of perennial agriculture experience (fruits, nuts, forage, etc.)
• 1 year farm management experience (farm management defined here as being the primary decision maker for crop planning, field operations, staff, sales, etc.)
• Demonstrated experience working in a commercial and/or wholesale environment (commercial and/or wholesale defined here as harvest, post-harvest, handling, transport, and sale of agricultural products to wholesale buyers, aggregators, and/or distributors)
• Ability to lift 50+ pounds
• Strong communication skills
• Commitment to participating in an open and collaborative environment
• Openness to participating in the development and establishment of new systems
• Willingness to work independently with strong self-direction
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with farm financials (operating budgets, enterprise budgets, profit and loss statements, business plans, etc.)
• Experience in the agroforestry practices of alley cropping, riparian buffers, alley cropping, and/or silvopasture
• Experience with farming and land management equipment (tractors and associated implements, mowers, powered hand tools, etc.)
• Experience in agricultural research and education
• Public speaking experience
• Experience hosting farm tours, field days, workshops, and trainings

Benefits

This position is eligible for the Institute's benefits package. Benefits for full-time employees include 20 days of paid time off annually, plus 11 civic holidays, 12 weeks of parental/disability leave annually, a dependent care flex spending account, a 401(k) retirement savings plan, reimbursement of healthcare costs (including ACA marketplace premiums) via an HRA plan, and a monthly home office stipend.