Description

Job Opening: Illinois Demonstration Farm Manager

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.

Who We Are

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 savannainstitute.org.

Job Description

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%) 

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

If you're excited about this job, we're excited to learn about your experience! Please be sure to address each of the following qualifications in your cover letter — paint us a picture of how your unique skills, experiences, and/or education meet or exceed the qualifications. Cover letters should be no longer than 1 typed page. 

How To Apply Submit a resume/CV and cover letter to the position on our jobs page: https://www.savannainstitute.org/jobs/

Deadline All applications must be received by 11:59 pm CT on February 8th, 2026.

Questions? Email Kathleen Fitzgibbon, Assistant Director of Administration, at kathleen@savannainstitute.org.

Diversity Commitment

The Savanna Institute affirms the value of diversity of staff and stakeholders, and aims to foster inclusive environments and equitable outcomes of our work. We seek individuals who are committed to these goals.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law.

Posted January 9, 2026

Requirements

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
• Occasional work-related travel to sites only accessible by car

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