Farm Business Management Specialist

About the Department

Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Southwest NY Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Team partners with farmers across Southwestern New York to strengthen farm profitability, sustainability, and long-term success. Our team works alongside producers, agricultural businesses, educators, and industry partners to deliver practical, research-based solutions that help agricultural communities thrive.

The Opportunity

Are you passionate about agriculture and excited by the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of farmers and rural communities?

Join a collaborative, supportive team dedicated to helping agricultural businesses navigate financial, operational, and transition planning challenges. In this role, you’ll work directly with farmers, agricultural professionals, and industry partners to provide education, guidance, and resources that support the success of farms throughout the region.

This is more than a desk job. You’ll spend time building trusted relationships with producers, traveling throughout the region, identifying emerging issues facing agriculture, and developing educational programs that create lasting impact. If you’re looking for a career where you can combine your agricultural expertise, communication skills, and passion for helping others, we’d love to hear from you.

What you’ll Do

• Build meaningful relationships with farmers, producers, and agricultural stakeholders throughout Western New York.
• Develop and deliver educational programming, workshops, webinars, and one‑on‑one consultations focused on farm business management in the areas of dairy, livestock, and field crops production
• Identify emerging trends and challenges facing agricultural businesses and help develop practical educational responses.
• Collaborate with the Team, other regional specialists, Cornell faculty, industry partners, and community organizations to support farm viability and economic success.
• Assist with educational program planning, implementation, evaluation, and reporting.
• Develop outreach materials including in‑person and virtual presentations, fact sheets, online content, and other educational resources.
• Utilize technology and virtual programming platforms in addition to traditional paper resources to expand educational access to a diverse agricultural audience.
• Participate in grant‑supported projects, program reporting activities, and statewide Extension initiatives.
• Travel extensively throughout the assigned region to meet with producers, deliver and support educational programming, and attend events.
• Contribute to a highly collaborative team culture that values innovation, communication, and shared problem‑solving.

What We Need

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Business Management, or related fields and 3+ years of relevant work experience in agribusiness, field crop production, dairy management, livestock management, education, or closely related fields, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of principles, theory, and research in the economics and business management of commercial production of dairy, livestock, and field crops.
• Strong interpersonal skills with proven ability to work with diverse audiences in group and one‑on‑one settings; working effectively with advisory boards and committees, community and funding partners.
• Fundamental competence utilizing current technology as a management and program delivery tool (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, internet, web development, and social media).
• Knowledge and experience in current and emerging issues and production practices of dairy, livestock, and field crops farm businesses in the Eastern U.S.
• Knowledge of the philosophy, objectives, and…