Company description
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
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 stakeholders to manage field operation decisions, crop enterprises, harvest, post-harvest, and processing, and support demonstration, research, commercialization, and education activities.
Job Description
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
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
- 2+ acres of black currants
- 4+ acres of hybrid hazelnuts
- 4+ acres of heartnuts
- Black locust and other hardwood trees
- IL Demonstration Farm Demonstration, Education, and Outreach Activities (10%)
- Work with 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%):
- Internal 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
Required Qualifications
- 5 years of direct farming experience
- 3 years of perennial agriculture experience
- 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
- Experience in the agroforestry practices of alley cropping, riparian buffers, alley cropping, and/or silvopasture
- Experience with farming and land management equipment
- Experience in agricultural research and education
- Public speaking experience
- Experience hosting farm tours, field days, workshops, and trainings
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.
Compensation
this position is: salaried, $50,000 - $75,000
Application instructions
If you are not registered, you'll be prompted to do so. Don't worry, it's free!
Deadline
February 08, 2026