Nutrient Management and Forage Systems Advisor; AP

Position: Nutrient Management and Forage Systems Advisor (AP25-37)
Nutrient Management and Forage Systems Advisor (AP25-37)

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

Application Window

Open date: December 15, 2025

Next review date: Tuesday, Feb 3, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Friday, Mar 6, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

Position Overview
The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) invites applications for a UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Nutrient Management and Forage Systems Advisor at the Assistant rank serving Stanislaus, San Joaquin, and Merced Counties.

The Nutrient Management and Forage Systems Advisor will implement an innovative multi-county extension education and applied research program focused on production issues for forage crops in California's Northern San Joaquin Valley. The emphasis will be on nutrient management in cropping systems linked to animal agriculture and fertilizer use, as well as on irrigation management and water quality issues. Expected impacts are optimized agronomic practices that maximize profitability while improving water and nutrient use efficiency, protecting water and air resources, and building climate resilience through identification and promotion of best agricultural practices.

Forage crop production innovations present promising solutions for conserving soil and water resources and managing manure nutrients, which affect groundwater and air quality, as well as greenhouse gas emissions. Improved stewardship of nitrogen from manures and fertilizers in forage production is necessary to sustain California's important dairy industry and to protect soil, air, and water resources for all Californians.

UCCE Advisors are responsible for conducting applied research and extending knowledge. Research activities are applied and mission-oriented, focused on addressing challenges in our communities. Extension activities are the educational methods that Advisors use to share research results directly with clientele and communities, increasing knowledge and understanding of science-based research that promotes the adoption of practices and technologies to solve local problems.

Extension activities may include individual farm consultations, presentations, or organizing educational workshops, short courses, and field demonstrations. Information may also be disseminated through various channels, such as radio, webinars, fact sheets, policy briefs, news blogs, social media, and other outlets. Publications are expected in various formats, including newsletters, popular press articles, curricula, conference proceedings, and peer-reviewed journals.

Successful research and extension programs result in new information that improves knowledge or understanding, and eventual adoption of new skills or practices, changed attitudes or policies, and improved environmental, economic, or social conditions. UCCE Advisors are evaluated through an academic advancement system based on four criteria:
1) extending knowledge,
2) applied research and creative activity,
3) professional competence and activity, and
4) university and public service.

Location Headquarters: This position will be based at the UC Cooperative Extension Office in Stanislaus County, located at 3800 Cornucopia Way, Modesto, California 95358.

Position Details
In the three-county region served by this Advisor, forage crops account for $900 million in revenue from 570,000 harvested acres, supporting $3.8 billion in milk and cattle revenue, higher-paying year-round employment, and the economic viability of many disadvantaged communities. Milk is a top agricultural commodity in the three counties, accounting for 36% of the state's dairy production. The dairy industry relies on a wide mix of locally grown forage crops that thrive in the Central Valley, including corn, small grain cereals, alfalfa, sorghum, and Sudan grass.

Given the economic importance of the dairy industry and the crops that support it, there is a pressing need to conduct research and extend knowledge on forage crop production in Merced, Stanislaus, and San Joaquin Counties.

Research is expected to focus on crop production issues for livestock feed, emphasizing animal agriculture and fertilizer use, nutrient management issues, irrigation management, and water quality. Research topics for this may include:

Nitrogen and salt management

• Improved production practices (cultural, crop variety, pest management, fertility, irrigation, and economics)
• Use of nitrification inhibitors
• GIS systems for controlling site-specific fertilizer and pest applications
• Conservation tillage
• Role of nitrogen-fixing legumes in cropping systems
• Best practices to manage organic nitrogen to mitigate nitrogen contamination issues
• Decision-making tools development
• Alternate manure…