Senior Manager of Agricultural Relations

The Farmlink Project is a non-profit organization that connects farms with surplus to food banks to feed people in need, reducing carbon emissions and empowering the next generation of changemakers in the food system. This is a fully remote position; we are accepting applicants in all U.S. time zones.

About the Role

The Senior Manager of Agricultural Relations is responsible for advancing Farmlink’s core commitment to supporting farmers by serving as a critical agricultural subject matter expert. This role ensures that agricultural surplus conditions, market dynamics, and operational solutions are incorporated into organizational strategy, ongoing innovation, and day-to-day operations. The Senior Manager will engage directly with producers across commercial agriculture, as well as trade associations, agricultural groups, and government entities.

This leader will bring deep experience in agricultural economics and the U.S. farm landscape, paired with firsthand agricultural experience and strong credibility within the farming community. They will translate on-the-ground farm realities into scalable, systems-level strategies while building trust in Farmlink’s surplus recovery initiatives. The role reports directly to the Head of Policy & Advocacy and works closely with the Food Program Operations team.

Responsibilities

• Agricultural Industry Knowledge & Market Insight (~45%)
  • Forecast, track, and analyze specialty and commodity crop markets, production economics, farm income trends, weather patterns, and surplus availability across states and regions to inform organizational strategy, programs, and advocacy efforts with the ability to forecast 90-day to 3-year horizons.
  • Partner with organizational leadership and the Programs team to design, test, and scale Farmlink’s on-farm food recovery strategy.
  • Serve as the organization's agricultural subject matter expert, building Farmlink team’s fluency in the agriculture industry and the farmer’s experience from the farmer’s pipeline to the consumer.
  • Apply systems thinking across the commercial agriculture value chain to inform organization-wide strategy and decision-making.
• Agricultural Industry Relations & Partnership Development (~35%)
  • Develop and steward relationships across diverse agricultural stakeholder groups—from small farmers to agricultural giants—to enhance programmatic strategy, fundraising opportunities, and organizational readiness for on-farm recovery growth and ongoing advocacy.
  • Build grower coalitions (including growers, trade associations, and key industry organizations) in support of organizational strategies and efforts.
  • Act as a visible ambassador for the organization, representing Farmlink’s mission and agricultural industry perspective across key forums, from development partners to policymakers.
• Advocacy Support & Analysis (~20%)
  • Use agricultural industry intelligence to support the identification and development of policy and advocacy opportunities and actionable insights that address the needs of farmers and hunger-fighting communities.
  • Convene agricultural stakeholders for government conversations and facilitate collaboration across growers and industry groups to support organizational policy and advocacy priorities.
  • Prepare agricultural economic briefs for government and agricultural industry audiences, as well as government meeting strategies and asks.
  • Inform policy opportunities annually, spanning farm-based recovery and broader policy areas such as state and federal tax donation laws and related regulatory frameworks.
  • Integrate understanding of state and federal programs and regulations that impact efforts connecting farmers with hunger-fighting charity systems (e.g., TEFAP).
  • Contribute to growing state, regional, and national charity networks to support advocacy initiatives as directed by the Head of Policy & Advocacy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Studies (Agronomy, Ag Econ, etc.) or lived farm or ranch experience in a decision-making capacity, such as owner-operator, partner, senior family operator, or grower cooperative/packing operations leader.
• 10+ years of experience in agricultural economics, commercial agriculture markets, and/or navigating surplus situations (unharvested acres, price collapses, loss of traditional markets); or an equivalent combination of formal education and experience.
• Experience analyzing market trends, production economics, and/or government agriculture programs.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex data into clear, compelling insights for diverse audiences; experience with forecasting or modeling preferred.
• Demonstrated operational experience beginning with planting through the food pipeline (harvest crews, packing, cold storage, trucking, client).
• Knowledge of grower/shipper food safety standards such as FSMA, GAP, PRIMUS, and AIB.
• Proven track record of building and maintaining relationships across farmers, industry groups, and engaging with local and state officials (NRCS, FSA, etc.).
• Proficient at navigating information resources including USDA NASS, WBSCM, and industry publications.
• Familiarity with federal and state agriculture policy and funding mechanisms.
• Familiarity with the hunger-fighting charity sector desirable.
• Ability to operate both strategically and tactically in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Proficiency using Google Suite.
• High-speed internet and a quiet, dedicated workspace for external and team calls; strong phone service with internet access and text messaging.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically (approx. 9-12 trips annually) for conferences, grower and agency visits, donor meetings, industry associations, and government meetings.
• Periodic farm and field visits where conditions will vary, including the necessity to stand and walk for extended periods across a variety of terrain, with the potential to optionally lift up to 50 lbs.
• Valid driver’s license; required to drive at night and in various weather conditions.