Soil Fertility Outreach Specialist

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Job Category: Academic Staff Employment Type: Regular Job Profile: Outreach Specialist

Are you passionate about bridging the gap between cutting‑edge research and real‑world farming? As the Soil Fertility Outreach Specialist, you will play a pivotal role in advancing the sustainability and profitability of Wisconsin’s diverse agricultural landscape.

The Soil Fertility Outreach Specialist will address high priority issues related to implementation and adoption of research‑based soil fertility management practices. On‑farm research and educational outreach will advance practices that result in positive economic, agronomic, and environmental outcomes. Practices of particular importance may include routine soil fertility testing and interpretation, "4‑R" fertilizer management, precision and/or variable‑rate nutrient applications, and nutrient cycling from non‑fertilizer nutrient sources.

The position is intended to extend research findings related to practices that improve the sustainability of Wisconsin soil fertility management via outreach and educational programming to producers and agribusiness professionals across Wisconsin, including contributing to the Nutrient Management Farmer Education curriculum.

Desired areas of expertise include: agronomy, plant nutrition, nitrogen management, soil pH and lime management, soil macro‑ and micro‑nutrient cycling and management, soil sampling and testing, soil biology, and general crop management.

The Outreach Specialist is expected to utilize excellent collaboration, problem solving, prioritization, and communication skills to work closely with farmers, technical advisors, and colleagues to develop and implement collaborative on‑farm research and other outreach activities to increase adoption and implementation of soil fertility practices on Wisconsin farms. Extension Outreach Specialists collaborate with a team that includes UW‑Madison Extension and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) colleagues, industry partners, farmers, and other collaborators to develop robust, high‑quality educational programs that deliver research‑based solutions towards more efficient and sustainable cropping systems.

• Collaborate with farmers and colleagues to develop and implement on‑farm research, demonstrations, and outreach activities that engage the community in exploring innovative practices.
• Design and maintain high‑quality outreach programs that translate research findings into actionable solutions for the field.
• Develop and maintain expertise related to soil fertility management.
• Build trust‑based relationships with stakeholders, technical advisors, and Extension colleagues to inform priorities and increase program impact.
• Work with the Program Manager to facilitate programmatic efforts, maintain strategic direction, build partnerships and seek a diverse funding portfolio to support the work.
• May assist with the monitoring of outreach program budget spending.
• Schedules and secures resources and communicates logistics in support of an outreach program.
• Delivers outreach program content and materials to community members.
• Communicates plans, activities, and achievements to Program Managers and relevant stakeholders through the reporting portal and verbal updates.
• Leads the implementation of programs, policies, and procedures through oversight of day‑to‑day activities for program staff and student and community volunteers.
• Researches, develops, and facilitates outreach program content and materials.
• Develops and supports on‑farm research including building collaboration with growers and industry partners, implementing on‑farm trials, data collection and sharing results.
• Identifies, promotes, and maintains external partnerships to support the outreach program.
• Develops and evaluates curriculum and programs and provides recommendations for improvement.

• Three or more years relevant professional experience.
• Education or experience with soil fertility.
• Strong…