Area Specialized Agent Farm Innovation and Agribusiness Management - District

The Area Specialized Extension Agent (ASA) for Farm Innovation and Agribusiness Management is responsible for providing leadership, guidance, and expertise to producers, Extension agents, and the agricultural community in Virginia Cooperative Extension’s (VCE) Central District. The position’s home office location is flexible within the district and will provide services throughout the 20 counties and independent cities within the district.
As producers face increasingly complex decisions about land use, technology adoption, innovative research based practices in crop and animal production, nutrients/nutrition, and soil health, many find they need tools and access to faculty to support quality decision-making. The position will further economic and business decision-making (i.e., enterprise budgets, profit/loss analysis, financial crisis management, farm labor, economics of improvements, etc.). The ASA will be expected to evaluate the economic efficacy of new technologies and the technology’s ability to contribute to the profitability and sustainability of producer operations in their unique contexts.
This position will play a key role in enhancing agricultural sustainability, economic viability, and community well-being to the area farming communities. The ASA will work closely with Extension agents and specialists in delivering educational programming that enhances the agricultural productivity and sustainability of producer operations.

Key Responsibilities:

Develop and deliver educational programs, workshops, and resources for Extension agents and agricultural producers that promote innovative agricultural practices to increase farm productivity and efficiency.
Assist Extension agents and agricultural producers with enterprise budgets, cost-benefit analyses, farm labor, financial planning, return on investment of on-farm innovations, and other farm business management topics.
Conduct economic assessments of agricultural practices, projects, and business decisions to help local farmers maximize their profits.
Collaborate with Virginia Tech specialists to conduct field trials and research programs to assess the economic impact of innovative farming practices.
Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Develop external resources to support programs.
Communicate program impacts with stakeholders.

• A master’s degree in agricultural economics or a related discipline.
• Strong knowledge of applied agricultural economics, production, and technology.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Experience working collaboratively with a wide variety of stakeholders, including businesses, community organizations, and/or Extension agents and staff.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, implement, facilitate, teach, and evaluate educational programs.
• Knowledge and use of computer technology in educational programming and management. Strong presentation skills.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team
• Strong desire to help clients succeed

Virginia Tech is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas for this vacancy.

• Strong knowledge of agricultural production systems.
• Prior experience as an Extension agent

Exempt:
Not eligible for overtime

Regular

$70,000 - $90,000

40

November 11, 2026

The successful candidate will be required to have a driver's license check with an acceptable and safe driving record.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

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