Illinois Demonstration Farm Manager

Position Overview

The Savanna Institute invites applications for an Illinois Demonstration Farm Manager to manage three Savanna Institute-managed agroforestry production())) focused demonstration farms. The position works 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 to support demonstration, research, commercialization, and education activities.

This position is eligible for the Institute’s benefits package. Full‑time employees receive 20 days of paid time off annually, 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.

The position will report to the Demonstration Farm Network Director, requires personal vehicle travel with mileage reimbursement, and may require relocation to East‑Central Illinois. It 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
  
  • 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 улице 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)
• Illinois 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,…