Illinois Demonstration Farm Manager

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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 closely with 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.

We seek applicants who share our passion for ecological and equitable agriculture as a nature-based climate solution and who are motivated to widen the circle of who has the opportunity to inform, support, and benefit from its development. To that end, we are seeking a diversity of voices at the table and strongly encourage people of color, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.

The Savanna Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Madison, WI and Urbana, IL. Established in 2013, we work in collaboration with farmers, businesses, and scientists to lay the groundwork for widespread agroforestry in the Midwest US. Inspired by the native savanna ecosystems that once covered much of this region, we envision a transformed agricultural system, centered on trees and other perennial crops, that fosters ecological resilience, climate stability, economic prosperity, and vibrant, equitable communities.

For more information, please visit savanna institute.org.

Hours: Full-time

Location: Urbana, IL or within 1-hour radius

Start Date: March 23, 2026

Salary: $65,000-$75,000, based on experience

• 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
• 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%)

• 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…