Sustainable Farming Technician

Sustainable Farming Technician
Full-time onsite
Foley, MN

The Sustainable Farming Technician is a key position responsible for providing technical assistance and outreach to landowners, farmers, and agricultural producers, to promote the adoption of sustainable farming and soil health practices. This role involves collaborating directly with clients to assess land conditions, develop site‑specific conservation plans, and assist with the design and installation of best management practices (BMPs) that address soil health principles.

The technician helps administer federal, state, and local conservation programs, ensure project compliance, manage grant documentation, and conduct community education initiatives to support the district’s mission.

• Either a 2‑year degree in an agricultural sciences field (e.g., agribusiness, farm management, agronomy) or a 2‑year degree in a natural resources field (e.g., resource conservation management, watershed management, hydrology) with experience and training in agriculture.
• Possess an equivalent combination of education and experience at the discretion of the District Manager.
• Hold a Certified Crop Advisor Certificate through the American Society of Agronomy or have the ability to obtain certification within 5 years. Benton SWCD will sponsor activities needed to obtain and maintain certification. Other specialized training and certifications may be required to perform job duties.
• Obtain and maintain a Certified Conservation Planner certificate and any other specialized training and/or certifications that may be required to perform the job.
• Possessing a valid Minnesota Class D driver’s license or higher is essential for the technician role due to the mobile nature of agricultural work.
• Strong oral and written communication skills are essential. Must be comfortable speaking and presenting in public, collaborating with diverse individuals, and engaging various stakeholders.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Excel and Word; knowledge of ArcGIS Pro, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Outlook is required.

• Perform the duties of the local team advisor for the Benton County sustainable farming initiative.
• Facilitate local partnerships, develop professional relationships, and support the development of local sustainable farming team members comprising farmers and agribusiness leaders.
• Develop strategies for integrating soil health practices, including identifying barriers to the diversity of soils and farming practices in Benton County.
• Facilitate agriculture community networking, including regular soil health team meetings and other recommended activities.
• Network and coordinate outreach activities such as field days and farm trials.
• Conduct soil health and whole farm conservation assessments and develop recommendations.
• Evaluate farms for soil health and farm management levels for soils, water, air, plants, and animals in relation to conservation and farmer goals; develop treatment and management alternatives when warranted.
• Manage local farm planning programs such as the Minnesota Agriculture Water Quality Certification program; conduct program assessments and assist farmers with all aspects of the program.
• Assist clients with conservation planning, designs, and installation of conservation projects.
• Provide technical assistance with state and federal conservation programs; maintain a working knowledge of each program to provide adequate technical assistance to SWCD clients.
• Design and supervise the installation of conservation practices, focusing on improving soil health across the operation.
• Perform inspections to ensure regenerative and sustainable practices (e.g., cover cropping, no‑till systems, prescribed grazing) meet ecological goals and contract requirements.
• Conduct annual spot checks of farms enrolled in soil health initiatives to document long‑term compliance with soil‑disturbance and residue‑management protocols.
• Monitor and collect data:
  • Manage the deployment and sampling of soil lysimeters to monitor groundwater quality; perform water sampling and maintain accurate digital records to quantify the impact of nitrogen…