Chicago Metro Farms Fund Specialist

TITLE
:
Chicago Metro Farms Fund Specialist

LINE OF BUSINESS/DIVISION
:
Working Lands, Working Farms Fund

FLSA STATUS
:
Exempt

REPORTS TO
:
Chicago Metro Farms Fund Manager

NUMBER OF POSITIONS REPORTING TO THIS POSITION
:
None

LOCATION
:
Chicago, IL (hybrid in person, field and remote)

The Conservation Fund protects the land that sustains us all. We are in the business of conservation, creating innovative solutions that drive nature‑based action in all 50 states for climate protection, vibrant communities and sustainable economies. We apply effective strategies, efficient financing approaches, and enduring government, community and private partnerships to protect millions of acres of America’s natural land, cultural sites, recreation areas and working forests and farms.

To learn more, visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

The Farms Fund is a first‑of‑its‑kind national conservation program designed to buy and permanently protect threatened farmland around metropolitan areas while creating a patient path to affordable farmland ownership for next‑generation farmers. The program seeks to significantly increase the supply of healthy, locally grown food by supporting farmers with expanded land access. Farms Fund is an initiative of The Conservation Fund and continues a multi‑decade long commitment to protecting working lands that generate conservation and economic value for local communities.

We are seeking to hire a Specialist to join a growing and innovative program which launched in Chicago in 2022. The Specialist will serve an essential role in providing critical support for farmers in the Midwest Farms Fund program as they successfully scale up their farm businesses after gaining access to larger farm properties through the program. The Specialist will work closely with multiple dynamic teams across TCF both locally and nationally.

The position will be based in the eight‑county metro Chicago region, with occasional travel to other Midwest States to support program growth. It is a flexible hybrid position with significant time expected in the field and office. This position supports the transition of farmers onto newly acquired farms, providing farm lease oversight; connecting the farmers with resources and technical assistance; and property management functions to ensure the on‑farm infrastructure is serving the farmers’ production and growth goals.

• Property Management: Oversee and manage the farms in the program that are leased to Farms Fund farmers, including baseline documentation, managing records of property changes and improvements, infrastructure needs assessments, regular farm visits, contractor management, and farm/home maintenance.
• Farm Business Development: Aid farmers to take advantage of technical assistance in business and financial development, recommend deeper business and entrepreneurship skills, connect farmers with partners such as USDA and others to secure resources, assist producers with documentation and systems for reporting farm business metrics, support market readiness and access with certifications and grant opportunities, act as an in‑the‑field technician and support for farm operations, troubleshooting production issues.
• Farm and Farmer Outreach: Connect to local communities, farmer organizations, landowners, and service providers to identify farmland acquisition opportunities, screen new farm purchase opportunities, collaborate with the Farms Fund team to promote the program and provide outreach to potential applicants, support coordination of the Farms Fund farmer network, attend local and national conferences and events.
• Operational and Programmatic: Support updating Midwest‑focused marketing and communication materials quarterly, coordinate logistics and provide on‑site event support such as organizing or taking photos, coordinate with Farm Services Specialists in other states to share learning and improve program support.

• 3-5 years of experience with farm asset management focusing on how production, equipment, land, and infrastructure decisions affect farm business operations and growth.
• Ability to track multiple farms and farm…