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Research Director

Full Time, Year Round

We are seeking a dynamic and passionate Research Director who thrives in a hands-on farming environment while driving innovative regenerative agriculture research efforts in soil health and climate resilience. The ideal candidate will blend scientific expertise with practical farming experience to lead our research and development initiatives, fostering relationships with local communities, educational institutions, extension programs, farmers, and funders.

Primary Responsibilities

Research & Development

  • Lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of comprehensive research projects aimed at enhancing regenerative agricultural practices with a strong emphasis on soil health, reduced tillage, and biodiversity enhancement.
  • Oversee experiments in areas such as no-till, intercropping, perennial crops, and farm-made soil amendments, encouraging the adoption of regenerative practices by the regional farm community.
  • Set yearly research goals in collaboration with the Director of Agriculture (DA) and production teams, developing clear objectives, strategies, and expected outcomes for each research initiative.

Community and Partnership Engagement

  • Actively build and maintain relationships with farming communities, extension services, and research collaborators such as UVM, UNH, Dartmouth College, Conservation Districts, Rodale Institute, NRCS, and other significant institutions.
  • Plan and lead field days, workshops, and tours to share research experiences and outcomes with internal staff and external stakeholders, contributing to community education and knowledge sharing.
  • Collaborate with the Education Programs Manager to create and disseminate educational materials that highlight our research goals and achievements.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives

  • Lead efforts to explore and evaluate alternative energy sources that can be integrated into our agricultural systems and organizational operations. This work should aim to enhance sustainability, reduce carbon footprint, and promote energy efficiency across the farm and its facilities.
  • Collaborate with internal teams and industry partners to identify cutting-edge technologies and best practices in renewable energy applications, implementation, and potential impact.

Funding and Resource Management

  • Identify and pursue funding sources, such as grants and collaborative projects, that support current and long-term research initiatives.
  • Oversee grant proposal writing, budget development, and reporting, ensuring compliance with all funding requirements and related inspections.
  • Efficiently manage department resources, aligning them with both departmental and organizational objectives.

Team Leadership and Collaboration

  • Coordinate and supervise daily research activities, ensuring alignment with overall farm production goals.
  • Train and mentor team members, cultivating a positive and inclusive work environment focused on education and collaboration.
  • Work closely with production teams, especially Vegetable and Annual & Perennial (A&P) managers, to ensure seamless integration of research activities with regular farming operations.
  • Provide leadership for the planning and implementation of production when support is needed.

Communication and Reporting

  • Provide regular updates to the Executive Director and DA on progress, challenges, and insights from ongoing research projects.
  • Develop and present detailed reports, including visual data representations, to showcase project findings and advancements to various audiences.
  • Collaborate with the Outreach and Engagement Coordinator on sharing work through the website that reflects annual research achievements, projects, and resources for community access.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Soil Science, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
  • At least 5 years of experience in agricultural research
  • At least 3 years of production farm leadership

Skills & Competencies

  • Strong analytical and practical problem-solving abilities in agricultural research
  • Excellent communication skills for interacting with diverse partners and presenting complex information in understandable ways
  • Grant writing and resource management skills
  • Flexible, ability to adapt in a dynamic work environment

Personal Attributes

  • Deep passion for soil health and enthusiasm for regenerative agriculture practices
  • Proactive, hands-on approach to research and production activities
  • Commitment to fostering an inclusive work culture where education and collaboration are prioritized

Compensation & Benefits

This is a full-time, year-round position with an annual salary of $75K-85K. Benefits include: health insurance (premium 100% employer paid); paid holiday, sick, and parental leave; a 403(b) retirement plan with a 5% employer safe harbor match; 20% discount at our farmstand; 50% off summer camps for dependents; and access to an employee assistance program.

To Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and references to director@cedarcirclefarm.org. The position will remain open until a candidate has accepted the position offer.

Cedar Circle Farm is an EEO/AA employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Due to the volume of applications that we receive, we are not able to reply to every applicant individually. We will be in touch via e-mail if we are interested in scheduling an interview with you.