Project Manager

Ontario Farmland Trust; Ontario; Hybrid; CAD 68,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading trust focused on farmland protection is looking for a Demonstration Farm Project Manager in Ontario. This role involves coordinating agricultural projects aimed at improving soil health and water quality, engaging with local communities, and managing project timelines and budgets. The successful candidate will have substantial project management experience and will work towards advancing Best Management Practices in agriculture.

Benefits

Flexible work schedule

Comprehensive benefits package

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience managing complex projects.
• Strong understanding of sustainable land management practices.
• Excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead project planning, implementation, and monitoring for demonstration farm.
• Coordinate partnerships with agricultural organizations and Indigenous groups.
• Develop knowledge translation materials.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Community facilitation

Soil health

Water stewardship

Education

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science or related field

Job description

Position: Demonstration Farm Project Manager
Organization: Ontario Farmland Trust
Location:Seeking a candidate living within or near Bruce County . Primarily work from home; regular site visits to OFT’s farm in Tiverton

Ontario Farmland Trust (OFT) is seeking a dynamic and motivated Project Manager to lead theimplementation of a Best Management Practices (BMP) demonstration farm project focused onenhancing soil health and water quality in the Lake Huron watershed.

This project is in collaboration withthe Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) and other regional partners and is funded by theOntario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA) under the Canada-Ontario Agreement(COA) on Great Lakes Water Quality and Ecosystem Health (COA) and Lake Simcoe Protection Plan.

The Project Manager will be responsible for delivering OFT’s project activities at their farm site inTiverton, Ontario, and engaging with communities across Bruce, Huron, Lambton, and Grey Counties.

This is a high-impact opportunity to work at the intersection of agriculture and conservation, supportingwater quality improvement and soil health through the adoption of Best Management Practices (BMPs).

They will also coordinate a regional Working Group of agricultural, community, and Indigenous partners,support the co-development of BMP demonstration plots, and oversee monitoring, outreach, andevaluation efforts.

The role involves supporting OFT’s Farmland Access participants in adopting sustainable farmingpractices, collaborating with ABCA to learn from the Huronview Demonstration Farm, and contributingto the development of a province-wide guidebook for establishing BMP demonstration farms.

Employment Type: Full-time contract (Sept 2, 2025 - March 31, 2027). The weekly schedule is generallyMonday-Friday and 37.5 hours per week. To some degree, OFT can accommodate the need for flexibilityin a work schedule. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.

Salary Range: $68,000 - $73,000 + benefits and vacation days.

Location: We are looking for a candidate living within or near Bruce County. They will primarily workfrom home and is required to be able to participate in video team meetings and maintain anergonomically correct work station. There will be regular site visits to OFT’s farm in Tiverton withadditional travel for community engagement, primarily within Bruce, Huron, Lambton, and GreyCounties and some travel to other parts of the province.

To apply:

Please submit your cover letter, resume, and references (in one document) to Martin Straathof,[e-mail] by August 1, 2025 at 5:00 pm EST. Please mention you saw this at FoodWork.ca. We appreciate all applicants' interestin this opportunity; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Key Responsibilities

Project Coordination and Implementation
● Lead the planning, implementation, and monitoring of the project at the OFT site in Tiverton.
● Oversee the establishment of three demonstration plots (two BMPs + one control) and ensuretheir ongoing maintenance and data collection.
● Support baseline assessments of the Tiverton site, including soil and water sampling, to informBMP selection and coordinate ongoing soil and water quality monitoring to measure projectimpact.
● Work with OFT staff and Farmland Access participants to ensure that demonstration BMPs aremeaningfully integrated into participant farm business plans and operations.

Community Engagement and Working Group Facilitation
● Form and coordinate a Working Group of Indigenous rights holders and non-Indigenousstakeholders, agricultural organizations, and technical experts to advise on BMP selection andcommunity engagement.
● Lead the development of Terms of Reference for the Working Group and ensure meaningfulcollaboration throughout the project.
● Build and maintain partnerships with project collaborators, including conservation authorities,municipal staff, Indigenous rights holders, and underrepresented farming groups.
● Conduct community consultations with farmers, agricultural organizations, and Indigenouscommunities to provide input on BMP activities relevant to local needs and help identify barriersto BMP adoption.
● Host BMP knowledge-sharing events, including field days and tours.

Knowledge Translation and Transfer (KTT)
● Co-develop outreach and KTT materials (e.g., displays, newsletters, social media, presentations)with OFT’s Communications Coordinator to support learning and BMP adoption.
● Coordinate data collection and track metrics required for reporting such as number of BMPsadopted, KTT event participation, and survey data related to BMP understanding and feasibility.
● Lead the development of a final guidebook and case study resource for establishing BMPdemonstration farms in Ontario, drawing on OFT and ABCA’s project experience.

Partner Collaboration
● Participate in collaborative learning opportunities with the Ausable Bayfield ConservationAuthority at the Huronview Demonstration Farm.
● Shadow ABCA’s implementation of sub-surface irrigation BMPs to inform the development ofOFT’s own demonstration site.
● Incorporate insights and lessons learned from Huronview into OFT’s knowledge products andproject planning.

Project Administration and Reporting
● Manage project timelines, deliverables, and budget tracking for OFT’s portion of the grant.
● Secure and oversee third-party contractors (e.g., soil testers, irrigation system installers).
● Submit project updates and formal reports to OMAFA and OFT’s leadership.
● Ensure alignment with agreement requirements and fulfill obligations under the transferpayment agreement.

Required Experience, Skills & Attributes Include:

● Minimum 3–5 years of experience in managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects, preferablyin agricultural, conservation, or rural community settings.
● Strong understanding of agriculture, soil health, water stewardship, and sustainable landmanagement practices.
● Proven ability to engage and work with farmers, agricultural organizations, Indigenous rightsholders, and underrepresented groups.
● Excellent coordination, facilitation, and communication skills, with the ability to build trust andrepresent OFT professionally across diverse stakeholder groups.
● Experience facilitating community consultations and coordinating working groups or advisorycommittees.
● Demonstrated experience preparing and managing budgets, writing clear and compellingreports, and overseeing external contractors.
● Familiarity with Best Management Practices (BMPs), environmental monitoring protocols, andevaluation tools.
● Experience or familiarity with Knowledge Translation and Transfer (KTT) or similar agriculturalextension, outreach, or education work.
● Strong writing and editing skills for both technical and public-facing materials.
● Valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle for regional travel.
● Strong organizational skills, including the ability to set priorities, develop work plans, meetdeadlines, and track data and deliverables.
● Passion for agriculture, farmland protection, land conservation, and making a meaningfulcontribution to long-term environmental stewardship.
● A collaborative team player with a positive attitude and a commitment to working cooperativelywith others.
● Capable of working independently and self-motivated, taking initiative to solve problems andmeet project goals.

Additional Assets Include:
● Experience managing projects funded by government or public grant programs, includingcompliance with reporting and financial requirements.
● Knowledge of or experience with land trusts, conservation easements, and the Canadian LandTrust Standards and Practices.
● Background in environmental science, agroecology, or a related discipline.
● Experience coordinating on-farm research or demonstration sites, and/or using participatory orpeer-to-peer learning models.
● Proficiency in basic mapping tools for creating or interpreting site maps.
● Familiarity with soil and water sampling methodologies, including interpreting lab data foragronomic/environmental purposes.
● Comfortable with, and experience in, public speaking and event facilitation, including engagingfarm and non-farm audiences at tours, field days, or workshops.

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Current status: Open/apply now. Date posted: Jul 15 2025 ID: 74031

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