Business Development Officer – Farm & Food Lending

Business Development Officer – Farm & Food Lending

The Sustainable Food Systems Program is looking for a Business Development Officer (BDO) who will be responsible for implementing the program’s mission to support regenerative agricultural supply chains throughout New England. The BDO is responsible for building relationships within the regional agriculture community, including with other lenders and agriculture support organizations, to inform how the Community Loan Fund can effectively finance and foster regenerative agricultural businesses.

The BDO will also identify prospective borrowers — such as producers, processors, and retailers — and work closely with the Community Loan Fund’s business lending team to shepherd prospective borrowers through the loan application process, analyze and present loan proposals for organizational approval, and manage borrower relationships. The ideal candidate will have existing relationships within the agriculture sector in New England, an understanding of the systems context in which it operates, and strong interpersonal and communications skills to help shape regional lending.

While prior lending experience is preferred, it is not required; however, the candidate will be expected to develop proficiency in underwriting and credit analysis in this role.

Reports to: Director of Sustainable Food Systems Program

FLSA status: Exempt

• Cultivate relationships with producers, business owners, and others to develop lending opportunities to farm and food businesses in New Hampshire and New England.
• In coordination with the business lending team, respond to loan inquiries, identify eligible applicants, and work with prospective borrowers to collect the necessary information to evaluate an applicant’s capacity to repay debt to grow or stabilize operations.
• Help determine which loan prospects should advance to full underwriting and structure loan terms and conditions that meet the applicant’s needs and further the mission of the Community Loan Fund.
• Assist in preparing written credit memos that clearly articulate the strengths and risks of loan applications.
• Actively manage borrower relationships through regular communication. Support non-performing loans with a relationship‑based approach.
• Develop working partnerships with other New England agriculture and food system organizations, including lenders, business advisors, and agricultural support services, in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
• Track opportunities for leveraging capital flows into the region to support farm and food businesses, such as grant funding and infrastructure or real estate investments.
• Participate in New Hampshire and New England strategic initiatives to guide the long‑term development of the region’s food system.
• Attend regional and national conferences and events to promote the work of the Community Loan Fund to food systems audiences.
• Assist in developing grant proposals to support expanded program operations and loan capitalization.

• At least five years of relevant professional experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Relevant experience may include farm or food system advisory services, lending, or business ownership or management. We encourage alternative relevant professional backgrounds to apply.
• Professional experience and/or coursework demonstrating an understanding of the agriculture and food sectors, especially in New England, and the systems in which they operate. Relevant experience may include work with cooperative extension, university programs, small business development centers, and nonprofit organizations.
• Professional experience or coursework demonstrating proficiency with standard…