Sustainable Agriculture Manager

Clean Wisconsin is a nonprofit organization with offices in Madison and Milwaukee and a mission to combat climate change and pollution in our air, water and land. Clean Wisconsin is looking for an effective and resourceful leader to serve as our sustainable agriculture manager (Manager). The Manager will work within our water & agriculture program to advance policies that support farmers in expanding regenerative agricultural systems and reducing reliance on pesticides and agricultural chemicals, while protecting Wisconsin’s water resources from pollution.

The Manager will report to the director of water & agriculture to advance the program’s strategic priorities. The Manager provides policy expertise, research and analysis, stakeholder engagement, and project leadership that expands the program’s capacity to address Wisconsin’s most urgent agricultural and water-quality challenges. The Manager will help translate the program’s vision into actionable policy initiatives, effective outreach strategies and collaborative partnerships that drive meaningful and lasting change.

Clean Wisconsin is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in our work and in our hiring practices. We value a team with different perspectives, educational backgrounds, and life experiences, and we prioritize diversity within our team.

• Research, analyze, and advocate for legislative, regulatory and administrative policies to expand regenerative agricultural systems, protect water resources and reduce pollution.
• Track and engage on issues related to agricultural diversification, nutrient management, regenerative agriculture and rural economic development.
• Monitor and incorporate the latest scientific research, environmental monitoring data and policy developments into Clean Wisconsin’s water and agricultural advocacy.
• In collaboration with Clean Wisconsin’s water policy team, support the program’s legislative and policy priorities including drafting legislation, preparing and occasionally delivering testimony, and developing policy briefs and educational materials related to sustainable agriculture, surface and groundwater quality protection, pesticide use reduction and rural economic development.
• Cultivate relationships with farmers, agricultural organizations, conservation groups, researchers, businesses, policymakers and/or government agencies to identify and advance practical solutions to improve environmental outcomes while supporting farms and rural communities.
• Co-lead the Wisconsin Neonicotinoid Workgroup with partner organizations to advance education, research, outreach and policy initiatives that reduce environmental and public-health risks associated with neonicotinoids and other pesticide use while supporting practical alternatives.
• Develop policy analyses, reports, testimony, comment letters and educational materials to advance program goals and support public engagement.
• In collaboration with Clean Wisconsin’s science program, evaluate scientific data related to agricultural water contamination to guide policy and programmatic efforts and assess linkages between contamination and public health.
• Work with Clean Wisconsin’s communications department to create outreach materials and website content to elevate the environmental issues facing the agricultural industry and policy and program solutions to address those challenges.
• Identify and collaborate with agricultural producers/groups working to protect drinking water quality through data analysis and policy development.
• Promote Clean Wisconsin’s efforts to combat agricultural water pollution at speaking engagements, fundraising events and other venues, as needed.
• Participate in and occasionally help lead statewide or regional stakeholder groups, coalitions and partnerships focused on sustainable agriculture, pesticide reduction and regenerative agricultural systems.
• Assist with grant development, grant reporting, project management and other activities that support program priorities.
• Anticipated effort by topic will generally align as follows: pesticides and neonicotinoid workgroup (40%), regenerative agriculture (50%), other duties relating to the…