POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
Grazing Broker/Grazing Specialist
General Information
Type of Employment:
Salary:
Benefits:
Location:
Full time (40hrs/week) one year project position. Employment beyond the first year
project is dependent upon available funding.
Salary range is $20.00 to $23.00 per hour, based on qualifications and experience.
Health insurance stipend and paid vacation and holidays.
Dodgeville, WI
Position Summary
The Grazing Broker will have a background in agriculture and conservation. The primary responsibility is to connect
landowners with grassland acres to agricultural producers who want to lease grassland acres for grazing and provide the
needed resources and technical assistance to foster these partnerships. The individual will also be an NRCS Certified
Technical Service Provider (TSP) for writing grazing plans and providing technical assistance for both producers and
landowners. The Grazing Broker will accomplish the goals by working closely with a multi-agency team to coordinate
educational events, and by networking with area landowners and grazing organizations to promote grazing and grassbased agriculture throughout the community. Efforts will focus on landowners with expiring CRP acres and established
graziers. This is the second year of a two year, grant funded position. Applicant will be expected to step into this role and
continue building on established programming.
Duties/Responsibilities/Activities
• Identify established grassland with potential for grazing in southwest Wisconsin, make contact and form
relationships with owners of existing non-grazed grassland; both current farmers and non-agricultural grassland
owners. Focus on land where managed grazing can be used to protect and enhance stream habitat and grasslands in
lieu of land retirement programs such as CRP.
• Provide education to non-agricultural grassland owners on the benefits of grazing their grasslands.
• Assist non-agricultural grassland owner in either becoming a new beginning grazier or help the landowner find an
existing grazier interested in grazing their lands.
• Work with landowners to develop a Grazing Profile for their land that defines their grassland and grazing goals and
determines estimated market value of available grazing land based on the contents of the grazing profile. Develop
NRCS Grazing Management Plans based on the landowner goals while also ensuring that the grazing options defined
in the grazing plan are attractive to potential grazier producers.
• Work toward becoming a source for available grazing land sites for graziers/producers, act as a liaison between
grassland landowner and graziers, assist in contract development and oversight, assist existing farmers on improving
methods for established grazing systems.
• Provide technical assistance and education on all aspects of managed grazing; including information on practices for
sound grazing herd health and production, using managed grazing as a conservation tool to reduce erosion and
animal waste runoff into waterways, and market options for grassland.
• Network with existing farmers through local grazing organizations and networks and focus on improving practices
for established grazing systems.
• Work with partners on workshops, seminars, pasture walks or other educational outreach events and coordinate with
partners to identify new clients and potential grazing land.
• Write grants and/or develop fee-based services to ensure long-term viability of the project.
Qualifications
• Bachelor degree in agronomy, agriculture, natural resources, or other plant science required.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience and knowledge of planning, design, layout of managing grazing/forage practices.
• Background in agriculture and conservation.
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Advanced knowledge of and experience with managed grazing, developing managed grazing systems, and
establishing grazing infrastructure. Understanding of market value for grass-fed products and the value of pastures.
Extensive knowledge of soil and water conservation principles and practices, including farm conservation planning
and grassland ecology.
Knowledge of the natural resources/conservation agencies and programs.
Ability to connect with landowners and disseminate knowledge pertaining to the potential for grazing.
Effective liaison and networking skills to work with a variety of government and agency representatives.
Experienced using principles and techniques of communication: written, oral and electronic.
Proficient database use (MS Excel or MS Access) for creating tables and querying large datasets.
Able to work independently on a daily basis, but also act as member of a larger team environment.
Within 6 months of employment, become certified by the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) as a
Technical Service Provider (TSP) for writing Conservation Activity Plan (CAP) – Grazing Management Plans. (Refer
to: http://techreg.sc.egov.usda.gov/PopRptCriteria.aspx?ID=93&Type=Category)
Special Requirements
• Regular in-state travel.
• Some evening and weekend work.
• Valid Wisconsin’s driver’s license and proof of insurance.
• Possession of reliable vehicle for work related activities. (mileage reimbursed)
Southwest Badger Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc.
Southwest Badger RC&D is a 501(c)3 nonprofit community development organization serving Crawford, Grant, Green,
Iowa, La Crosse, Lafayette, Richland, Sauk, and Vernon counties. Our mission is to implement natural resource
conservation, managed growth, and sustainable economic development in our area.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE AND DEADLINE: To receive full consideration, application materials must be
postmarked by Monday, May 18th, 2015and include all of the following:
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Cover letter (up to two pages) that summarizes how you meet the minimum qualifications of this position
including: formal education, training, professional work history, volunteer work, research, and any related life
experiences in your response. Please note that your response will be evaluated for content and written
communication skills.
Professional resume, including related education, professional work history and volunteer experience.
Contact information for three (3) professional work references, including at least one person who has been
your immediate supervisor. For each reference, please indicate the nature of your professional relationship and
include the person's title, e-mail address and telephone number.
Application materials that do not comply with these instructions are incomplete and will not be considered.
Send application materials to: [email protected]
or
Southwest Badger RC&D
1370 N. Water Street, Suite 3
P. O. Box 753
Platteville, WI 53818
For more information contact Laura Paine at [email protected] or 608.732.1202
Southwest Badger RC&D Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Southwest Badger RC&D Council prohibits employment
discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, military status, political beliefs, marital or
familial status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law. This commitment is extended to all terms, conditions,
and privileges of employment including, but not limited to hiring, placement, employee development, promotion, compensation,
benefits, or termination.
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