Agroforestry Technical Assistance Provider Savanna Institute

The Savanna Institute invites applications for an Agroforestry Technical Assistance Provider to help farmers in the Midwest adopt and expand agroforestry practices; design plantings; advise on implementation, management, and succession; and access financial and business support. This position will provide critical technical assistance related to two efforts:
1) Supporting established agroforestry systems through site visits, troubleshooting, and connecting farmers to technical and business resources and
2) Facilitating an on-farm research project examining whether tree-root inoculation can improve both plant and soil health in new agroforestry plantings. The position will work alongside our established Technical Assistance Provider team while serving as a bridge to our Partner Farm and Ecosystem Science efforts.

We seek applicants who share our passion for ecological and equitable agriculture as a nature-based solution and who are motivated to widen the circle of who has the opportunity to inform, support, and benefit from its development. To that end, we are seeking a diversity of voices at the table and strongly encourage people of color, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.

The Savanna Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Madison, WI and Urbana, IL. Established in 2013, we work in collaboration with farmers, businesses, and scientists to lay the groundwork for widespread agroforestry in the Midwest US. Inspired by the native savanna ecosystems that once covered much of this region, we envision a transformed agricultural system, centered on trees and other perennial crops, that fosters ecological resilience, climate stability, economic prosperity, and vibrant, equitable communities.

For more information, please visit savannainstitute.org.

• Hours:
  
  Full-time
• Location:
  
  Wisconsin
• Start Date:
  
  April 2026
• Salary: $62,000-$67,000 per year
• This position is eligible for the Institute’s benefits package. Benefits for full-time employees include 20 days of paid time off annually plus 11 civic holidays, 12 weeks of parental/disability leave annually, a dependent care flex spending account, a 401(k) retirement savings plan, reimbursement of healthcare costs (including ACA marketplace premiums) via an HRA plan, and a monthly home office stipend.
• This position will report to the TAP Team Manager
• This position will require travel using a personal vehicle with mileage reimbursement

• Establishment Technical Assistance: Recruit and support farmers participating in on-farm research, coordinating site access, planting logistics, and maintaining relationships throughout multi-year research projects. Support establishment of new agroforestry plantings at research sites, including conducting follow-up visits and providing ongoing consultation and troubleshooting. This position will not be required to collect or interpret scientific data (30%)
• Management Technical Assistance: Consult one-on-one with farmers & landholders practicing agroforestry to conduct site visits, troubleshoot issues, share best practices, and connect to internal and external resources and expertise. This work includes guidance on best practices for system maintenance (weed control, pruning, pests, and disease), harvest and post-harvest handling, and business financial support (30%)
• Events: Attend events as a Technical Assistance Provider, including giving presentations, attending field days, and presenting webinars (10%)
• Partnerships and Expert Review: Provide subject matter expertise to internal and external stakeholders, and build relationships with appropriate partners (5%)
• General Staff Work & Admin: General SI staff work and administrative functions (staff meetings, time tracking, etc.) (15%)
• Projects: Other Adoption Team prioritized projects including program improvement and evaluation as agreed upon with your supervisor, given seasonal demands (5%)
• Ongoing
  
  Education:
  
  Ongoing training and education (5%)

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a field related to…