Director of Farmer Training & Partnerships

Job Description

Job Description

About Wolfe's Neck Center

Wolfe's Neck Center for Agriculture & the Environment (WNC) is a fast-growing nonprofit organization based on a campus of over 600 acres of coastal farmland in Freeport, Maine. Our work is dedicated to creating a world where agriculture and food systems support farmer viability, thriving ecosystems, and vibrant communities. Through regenerative farming demonstration and training, innovative research, and collaborations, Wolfe's Neck Center works to advance agriculture - on our own farm, regionally, and nationally - to accelerate holistic change in food systems and mitigate the effects of a changing climate. In 2015, Wolfe's Neck Center established its organic dairy program, which is part of the supply for Stonyfield Organic and serves as a testing ground for new management technologies and techniques, while also training the next generation of farmers in rotational grazing and regenerative and organic agricultural systems. Wolfe's Neck Center also operates 3 acres of fruit and vegetable production, as well as several integrated small livestock systems.

WNC's dairy program is part of the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship (DGA), an accredited National Apprenticeship registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. WNC supports the administration of the DGA program across the Northeast to establish a clear pathway to independent farm ownership, cultivate grazing careers, and strengthen the economic health of both the dairy industry and rural communities. Over the years, WNC has also expanded our program offerings to create learning and training opportunities that support dairy farmers at different stages of their careers. These efforts include our facilitation of the New England Grazing Network (NEGN) to share knowledge and resources across the region and advance the use of grazing practices; and launched in 2025 a new 12-month cohort learning model called Growing Graziers to focus on business planning, marketing, and leadership topics while cultivating connections between dairy farmers and with members of the dairy industry. Through various farmer engagement efforts, WNC works to strengthen relationships with farmers across the region and ensure their feedback, requests, and suggestions are meaningfully integrated into programs, communications, and the strategic planning and initiatives of the organization. A key component of that effort is the establishment of a Farmer Advisory Committee in 2025 to provide guidance on the development and implementation of programming across the organization.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Managing Director of Programs and serving as a member of WNC's Program Leadership Team and Management Team, the Director of Farmer Training & Partnerships is a leadership role responsible for developing and overseeing all work conducted as part of WNC's Farmer Training & Partnerships program area.

Oversight of this program area includes:

• Supporting the Dairy Manager in facilitating all aspects of WNC's organic dairy and cattle operations and the on-site DGA program;
• Working with the Senior Manager of Farmer Education to develop and implement all WNC farmer and technical assistance-focused education and training programs;
• Supporting the Senior Manager of Farmer Engagement with the development and implementation of farmer engagement and partnership activities across the organization;
• Working with the Managing Director of Programs and other relevant WNC staff to develop and implement new areas of related programming; and
• Representing Wolfe's Neck Center at dairy, livestock, grazing, and farming-related conferences, meetings, symposiums as well as in relevant governmental and policy processes.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of Farmer Training & Partnerships programming, including:
• Supporting the Dairy Manager in facilitating all aspects of WNC's organic dairy and cattle operations and DGA Program, ensuring the health and productivity of the herd while designing and implementing an optimal learning environment so that new dairy farmers learn the core competencies and skills necessary for success in dairy grazing;
• Working with the Dairy Manager to formalize the structure and curriculum of the on-site dairy program, taking into consideration the input and feedback gathered to date from various internal and external stakeholders and the resources and needs of the on-site dairy operations;
• Working with the Senior Manager of Farmer Education to develop and implement all WNC farmer and technical assistance-focused education and training programs, including the facilitation of the DGA Program throughout New England and Eastern New York, the NEGN, and the the Growing Graziers 12-month cohort learning program;
• Supporting the Senior Manager of Farmer Engagement with the development and implementation of farmer engagement and partnership activities across the organization to shape new and existing WNC programs, expand awareness of WNC"s programmatic offerings, guide the development of a coordinated farmer network, and facilitate the Farmer Advisory Committee;
• Providing overall management of relevant program budgets, including supporting grant tracking and reporting processes, helping to ensure work is completed on time and within budget;
• Working with the Managing Director of Programs and other WNC staff to identify and pursue collaborations across Farmer Training & Partnerships projects and with other areas of WNC programming;
• Ensuring comprehensive partner relationship management and communication, supporting Farmer Training & Partnerships staff who serve as points of contact for project-specific relationships, and serving as a principal point of contact for partners, funders and subawardees who are engaged across projects to support holistic relationship development.
• Supervise Farmer Training & Partnerships program staff, including the implementation of meetings and other processes to best support the overall function of the team.
• Work with the Managing Director of Programs and other relevant WNC staff to develop and implement new areas of Farmer Training & Partnerships programming, including:
• Working with the Managing Director of Programs, the Senior Manager of Farmer Education, and other related WNC staff and external partners to investigate revisions to the regional DGA program structure that would better facilitate apprenticeship engagement and support for the regional dairy sector;
• Identifying and engaging relevant subject matter expertise and potential partners to advance new areas of work;
• Supporting efforts to identify and pursue new funding sources to both sustain core operations as well as advance new potential areas of work;
• Working with the Advancement Team, Operations and Finance Teams, Managing Director of Programs, and other staff to support funding proposals and reporting.
• Along with the Managing Director of Programs and other WNC staff, represent Wolfe's Neck Center at dairy, livestock, grazing and farming-related conferences, meetings and symposia as a panelist, speaker and participant; as well as in relevant governmental and policy processes, meetings with governmental officials, and related advocacy and policy coalition meetings.

Qualifications

• 6-10 years of relevant experience with dairy operations, farmer training and support programming, and/or building collaborations and partnerships with farmers
• Working knowledge of dairy, livestock, and grazing-based farm operations - could be achieved through a combination of on-farm experience, farm-based technical assistance or other relevant programming
• Strong collaborative project management, prioritization, and planning skills, with demonstrated success producing high-quality deliverables on time and within budget
• Success in developing and communicating clear strategic vision across departments, team and external partners
• Experience working with and managing teams, including remote team members, and the ability to foster a collaborative and effective team culture while coaching direct reports
• Proven ability to build and maintain positive relationships with diverse partners and stakeholders, including farmers, agriculture support organizations, technical assistance providers, researchers, government officials, and others
• High degree of familiarity with fundraising processes and financial oversight, with a preference for experience in the agricultural operations and training landscape
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Other Requirements

• Legally able to work in the United States (we cannot provide VISA sponsorship)
• The Director of Farmer Training & Partnerships position can be structured as an onsite or hybrid position, requiring 2-3 days per week spent on-site at our oceanfront farm and campus.

The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to perform this job successfully. If you do not fit this description perfectly but believe that you would be a good fit for this position, please do not hesitate to reach out with questions or apply. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Benefits

As a full-time employee of Wolfe's Neck Center, this position is eligible for benefits including health insurance, dental insurance, paid vacation and sick days, Maine state holidays off, our retirement savings plan, and employee discounts on WNC programs and services. Compensation commensurate with experience: $90,000-$100,000

To Apply

Please visit our current list of job openings at click on the applicable position, and apply via the Apply Now button. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with priority given to applications received by June 12, 2026.

Non-Discriminatory Selection Process

Wolfe's Neck Center for Agriculture & the Environment welcomes a diverse pool of candidates. In accordance with federal Equal Opportunity laws, Wolfe's Neck Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, sexual orientation including gender identity or expression, veteran status, or physical or mental disability in the hiring of its employees. Applicants are selected based on their ability to perform the essential functions of the job, prior work experience, and references from previous employers.

American With Disabilities Statement

Applicants must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation. This job description summarizes the primary duties and responsibilities of the role and may change as business needs evolve. It is not an employment contract and does not guarantee employment for any specific period; employment is at will, in accordance with applicable laws.

The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to perform this job successfully. If you do not fit this description perfectly but believe that you would be a good fit for this position, please do not hesitate to reach out with questions or apply. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Wolfe's Neck Center for Agriculture & the Environment welcomes a diverse pool of candidates. In accordance with federal Equal Opportunity laws, Wolfe's Neck Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, sexual orientation including gender identity or expression, veteran status, or physical or mental disability in the hiring of its employees. Applicants are selected based on their ability to perform the essential functions of the job, prior work experience, and references from previous employers.