Horticulture Education Manager

Practical Farmers of Iowa is Hiring a Horticulture Education Manager

About PFI

Practical Farmers of Iowa is a nonprofit organization that has worked to equip farmers to build resilient farms and communities since 1985. We create learning opportunities via farmer-led events, on-farm research and educational content through our robust network of farmers. We also provide funding and technical assistance to help farmers adopt regenerative farming practices and grow farm businesses. Our vision is an Iowa with healthy soil, healthy food, clean air, clean water, resilient farms and vibrant communities.

This work has always been rooted in our value of welcoming everyone and creating a culture of mutual respect. We believe that a diversity of people, ideas and perspectives strengthens our ability to find creative solutions, enriches our understanding and broadens our impact. At Practical Farmers, we celebrate this diversity and are committed to ensuring that our policies and practices create an equitable and inclusive workplace. We take equal opportunity seriously and seek to empower and support all applicants and teammates. 

Practical Farmers offers a flexible, supportive and fast-paced work environment. Professional development is a core part of our culture and team members are encouraged to take independent initiative to help fulfill our mission. 

About the Position

The farmer-led education department houses PFI’s long-standing farmer-led education efforts. This department annually delivers robust educational programming consisting of field days, conference sessions, workshops and webinars. These events, along with farmer meetups and other programming, aim to help farmers build peer networks and learn from one another. In addition, staff in this department write educational content featuring farmer knowledge for PFI’s media, including PFI’s blog, email newsletters and quarterly magazine. The horticulture education manager will deliver this programming for PFI’s horticulture audience. 

This position will also lead the diversified farm team within the farmer-led education department, which includes the livestock education, beginning farmer engagement and Spanish engagement work. As team manager, you will help team members prioritize work to align with team and individual goals. You’ll help remove roadblocks, connect team members with resources and solve issues. You’ll also provide coaching and feedback to grow and expand the team’s skills, and ensure all teammates feel the value of their contribution toward PFI’s mission.  

If you are passionate about working with vegetable, fruit and other specialty crop farmers, energized by putting farmer-to-farmer learning on the ground and are eager to serve as a team leader in a dynamic organization, this job is for you! 

Duties

• Plan and facilitate high-quality, farmer-led educational and networking events related to organic and conventional horticulture crop production, including vegetables, orchard crops, berries, cut flowers, nuts and other specialty crops
• Oversee and lead the diversified farming team in the farmer-led education department, which includes the livestock education coordinator, beginning farmer engagement coordinator, Spanish engagement coordinator and contractors and volunteers  
• Facilitate teamwork within the farmer-led education department
• Write farmer-focused articles, blogs, email newsletters and other outreach on horticulture topics for PFI publications and for distribution in other farm-related outlets
• Grow and facilitate PFI's network of horticulture crop farmers to learn about their challenges, opportunities and how PFI can serve them
• Write and submit grant proposals and reports and managing work for awarded grants related to horticulture and livestock projects 
• Manage grant projects related to horticulture and livestock programs 
• Manage capacity and budget efficiently to complete work   
• Develop and manage partner relationships related to horticulture farmer-led education that leverage both organizations’ work toward PFI’s goals 
• Other duties as assigned or volunteered to support department or team projects? 

Required Qualifications and Characteristics

• Strong event planning and logistics coordination skills 
• Strong writing skills  
• Familiarity with the agricultural landscape in Iowa and the Midwest   
• Familiarity with vegetable, fruit and/or flower production and marketing practices 
• Strong event and meeting facilitation skills for both in-person and virtual events 
• Motivation and ability to be a team leader 
• Experience supervising a team? 
• Grant writing experience 
• Adept at building networks and engaging with a range of collaborators, partners or relevant parties   
• Strong interpersonal communication skills, including public speaking  
• Ability to adapt to or learn different software  
• Experience with data management or effectively working in databases 
• Respectful of differing perspectives and farming systems  
• Ability to develop and manage a detailed schedule and work plan with little oversight  
• Efficient, effective and able to meet deadlines in fast-paced work environments  
• Dependable – able to work independently and with a team   
• Meticulous attention to detail and commitment to high-quality work  
• Able to provide and receive feedback constructively? 
• Problem-solving and conflict resolution skills? 
• Strong commitment to advancing a resilient food and farm system in Iowa? 

Desired Qualifications and Characteristics

• In-depth knowledge of horticulture production and marketing channels (vegetables, fruits, flowers, etc.) 
• Existing knowledge of PFI’s programs   
• Existing connections in the Midwest farming community 
• Familiar with sustainable agriculture concepts   
• Four years of professional experience    
• Experience with survey design or survey software? 
• Formal or informal teaching or coaching experience   
• Ability to support Spanish-language events 
• Storytelling skills  
• Appreciation and passion for PFI’s organizational mission  
• A mindset of continuous improvement  

This is a full-time position based in our Ames, Iowa, office with potential for a hybrid schedule. This position requires a minimum of two days in the office per week (Monday and Tuesday) and travel around Iowa and surrounding states, which may include occasional overnight travel – for example, staffing 14 field days from June-October. The beginning salary range for this position is $61,000-$65,000, with annual opportunity for merit salary increases and position advancement. 

PFI values its employees and is a flexible and supportive work environment. We offer employees a competitive benefits package that includes employee health insurance with 100% employer-paid premium, generous paid time off, flexible hours, six weeks of fully paid parental leave and 5% automatic 401k contribution after one year of employment. 

We also encourage employee professional development and offer a range of specialty benefits employees can use to support their wellness, sustainability and financial goals. Examples of our specialty benefits include contributions towards spouse or dependent health insurance, stipends for remote or hybrid workers and reimbursements for wellness costs, local food purchases or CSA subscriptions, student loans or eco-friendly purchases. Practical Farmers is a family-friendly employer. 

Please apply by completing an application (including contact information, cover letter, resume and references). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.