Farm & Climate Program Manager

Based Learning; Woodland (CA); On-site; USD 72,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k) / retirement options

Job summary

The Center for Land-Based Learning seeks a Farm & Climate Program Manager to lead our ~30-acre Maples Farm in Woodland, CA, and rangeland at Gray Pine Ridge. You will guide farm operations, climate-focused research, student engagement, and regenerative practices, reporting to the Deputy Director of Programs.

Required: bachelor’s in Agriculture or related field and 5+ years of farm leadership; experience with carbon farming and soil health is preferred. In-person role with competitive benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in Agriculture, Environmental Science, Agronomy, Crop Science or related field or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of farm management experience including supervision.
• Knowledge of carbon farming, soil health, and regenerative practices.
• Ability to operate outdoors in CA conditions; valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily farm operations and pest, irrigation, and nutrient management.
• Develop weed management and regenerative farming plans.
• Support partnerships, grants, and project concepts.
• Document farm research, data, and SOPs for outreach.

Skills

Farm management

Staff supervision

Carbon farming

Soil health

Irrigation planning

Problem solving

Communication

Leadership

Driver’s license

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture or related field

Tools

Farm management software

Job description

Farm and Climate Program Manager

(Full-Time, Permanent)

About the Center for Land-Based Learning

The mission of the Center for Land-Based Learning is to inspire, educate, and cultivate future generations of farmers, agricultural leaders and natural resource stewards. The Center for Land-Based Learning cultivates opportunity for youth, for agriculture, for business, for the environment. A statewide nonprofit based in Woodland, CA, CLBL develops adaptive people and ecosystems by inspiring and training leaders to dig into themselves and the land in new ways. Now, we are seeding a vision for the future of agricultural and ecological stewardship in the Golden state, and, with the right team members, we can bring that vision to fruition. Our organization values diversity, equity, and belonging and strives to be an inclusive and welcoming community.

Respect - Growth - Balance - Collaboration - Innovation - Appreciation

About the Farm & Climate Program

The Farm & Climate Program (FCP) was created in May of 2020 when CLBL relocated to its current headquarters in Woodland, CA. FCP is based at the Maples Farm and advances climate-smart agriculture through research, demonstration, and education, with a focus on soil health, biodiversity, and sustainable farming practices. The Farm & Climate Program’s key components are a 30 acres property with diversified crops, on-farm research and demonstration plots, carbon farming model practices, education and outreach, market garden for mobile food truck distribution, and student and volunteer engagement. We are researching, developing and demonstrating practices that help farmers and the public take action to become more climate resilient and restore habitat for wildlife.

Position Overview

The Center for Land-Based Learning is seeking a full-time Farm & Climate Manager to lead the management of our approximately 30-acre farm at our headquarters (The Maples) in Woodland, CA as well as our rangeland property (Gray Pine Ridge) in Winters, CA. The Maples site supports CLBL’s beginning farmer and business incubator programs as well as a suite of demonstration projects that model carbon-beneficial practices. These projects include 8,183 feet of native hedgerows, a 5-acre olive orchard, 3-acre agave field, and a half-acre mobile farmers market plot. Gray Pine Ridge is an 18-acre CLBL rangeland property along the border of Yolo and Solano Counties where CLBL works with partners on a long-term wildfire resilience management plan by engaging in various sets of practices that encourages fuels reduction across the area while also protecting a space for wildlife and beneficial habitat.

Core Responsibilities

Job duties include, but are not limited to:

Farm Management Operations and Stewardship - Approximately 60%

• Lead the collaborative management of daily farm operations including planning and implementing pest, irrigation, and nutrient management as well as field and crop planning.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive weed management plan that includes practices such as cover cropping, mowing, weed whacking, and selective spot spraying with herbicides.
• Lead the adoption and implementation of technological tools to improve farm management practices.
• Implement and maintain sustainable and regenerative farming practices to enhance carbon sequestration as defined in the Maples Carbon Farm Plan. This includes, but is not limited to:
• Conducting regular soil tests and developing strategies to improve soil organic matter and health.
• Planning and rotating crops to maintain soil fertility and reduce weed and pest pressures.
• Utilizing cover crops, reduced tillage, native habitat edges, and other regenerative practices to enhance soil carbon storage.
• Maintaining and further developing wildlife habitat and on farm biodiversity including the property’s existing hedgerows, wildlife boxes, and native grass garden.
• Monitoring irrigation systems and completing or coordinating irrigation repairs as needed to ensure appropriate water management and efficiency.
• Manage and support the full execution and maintenance of the self-guided tour including the completion of the silo and the design, installation, and upkeep of interpretive signs and native plantings.

Partnerships and Grant Development - Approximately 15%

Support the development of current and future research and funding opportunities related to the farm and its land stewardship activities, including:

• Identify, pursue, and secure funding through multiple sources, including grants, funded research projects, land leasing, strategic partnerships, and other earned-income opportunities.
• Research and implement potential projects and partnerships related to agriculture, conservation, climate resilience, perennial crops, farm systems, or other organizational priorities.
• Assist with developing project concepts, scopes of work, supporting data, maps, or other materials for grant applications.
• Identify opportunities to build on existing farm research, monitoring, and demonstration activities.

Research, Monitoring, and Data Management - Approximately 10%

Lead the continuation, organization, and documentation of farm-based research and monitoring activities, including:

• Monitor, report, and improve upon on practices detailed in the Maples Carbon Farm Plan through:
• Collaboration with key partners such as the Natural Resource Conservation Service, the Yolo Resource Conservation District, Cache Creek Conservancy, and Yolo County to inform new and innovative approaches both at headquarters and throughout the region.
• The collection and documentation of carbon sequestration metrics and other environmental benefits to support adaptive management of farming practices to improve carbon outcomes.
• Preparation of reports on farm performance related carbon capture and sustainability goals.
• Continue ongoing agave and olive research activities including:
• Monitoring agave plant health and assisting with replacement plantings and ongoing maintenance.
• Supporting maintenance and seasonal management of the olive planting, assisting with preparation and coordination of the olive harvest and associated field day activities.

Farm Systems and Standard Operating Procedures - Approximately 10%

Develop clear, practical systems and documentation for shared farm operations, including:

• Develop SOPs, schedules, and timelines for consistent research and monitoring data collection.
• Review the farm’s weather station systems and determine a practical process for accessing, organizing, interpreting, and using weather station data.
• Update soil analysis spreadsheets for each field twice annually and maintain an organized historical record of soil testing results.
• Review the status of wildlife camera monitoring and organize available monitoring data from previous years.
• Develop tables, summaries, or visualizations that communicate relevant trends or findings from wildlife monitoring.
• Organize existing pollinator monitoring data and develop tables, summaries, or visualizations to communicate monitoring results.
• Identify gaps in existing data collection and recommend practical systems for improving consistency and usefulness of future monitoring.

Grey Pine Ridge Management - Approximately 5%

Support the continued development of the Grey Pine Ridge property in partnership with the Yolo County Resource Conservation District as part of a strategy around rangeland health, reduction of fuel load in a severe-burn area, and ongoing habitat restoration.

• Create and implement a 5-year Management plan for the 17-acre property that includes: Grazing plan, weed management plan (particularly issues with star thistle and tree tobacco), and habitat restoration plan.
• Work with the RCD to create a plan to inventory, map, and cage blue oak (Quercus douglasii) seedlings to support blue oak recovery on the site as part of ongoing efforts by the RCD to restore blue oak woodlands within Yolo County.
• Work with the RCD to evaluate the long-term success of the grazing completed in June of 2026 regarding soil health, impact on special species, and weed reduction, specifically.

Job Details:

• Reports to: Deputy Director of Programs
• Location(s): In Person; Woodland Headquarters.
• Classification: Exempt, Full-Time, Permanent
• Pay: $72,384 - $89,880/annually, DOE.
• Benefits: Medical, vision, and dental benefits & access to Flexible Spending Accounts, supplemental insurance, 401(K)/Roth IRA options, Paid Holidays and Vacation/Sick leave.

Qualifications:

Required: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Belief in and commitment to CLBL’s values, mission and work.
• Detail oriented, organized and strong problem-solving abilities.
• At least 7-10 years of experience working on or managing diversified farm(s) that are a minimum of 20 acres.
• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Environmental Science, Agronomy, Crop Science or related field AND/OR equivalent experience working on and/or managing farm operations with a preference for candidates with experience on farms 20+ acres or more.
• A minimum of five years of experience in farm management including supervising direct staff.
• Knowledge of farm management software and tools.
• Able to safely perform physically demanding agricultural work outdoors, including walking on uneven terrain, lifting and carrying materials, and working for extended periods in hot weather typical of California's Central Valley, in accordance with the organization's Heat Illness Prevention Plan.
• Knowledge of carbon farming principles, soil health, and agroecology.
• Leadership and team management skills.
• Driver’s license and reliable transportation to and from work.
• Proof of good driving record for to drive mobile farmers market truck
• Able to work within a team or independently as the situation demands.
• Able to work outside in hot and rainy weather conditions.
• Able to lift 40 lbs plus.
• Able to work evenings and/or weekends as required by program needs.
• Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and engaging individuals and communities across cultural and racial boundaries.
• Able and willing to be flexible with tasks assigned.

Preferred Qualifications, Knowledge and/or Skills:

• Associates degree or equivalent work experience in Ag, Education, Environmental Science or related field.
• Three years of experience with sustainable and regenerative practices.
• Experience using agricultural tech tools/platforms and software.
• Experience developing and implementing Carbon Farm Plans or carbon sequestration methodologies on farms.
• Experience working with California native plants and/or wildlife
• Spanish language fluency
• Applied research experience.
• Friendly, enthusiastic, enjoys engaging with the public, and has a positive attitude.

***Equal Employment Opportunity Policy***

The Center for Land-Based Learning provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

We strive for inclusivity, equity, and diversity by attracting extraordinary people from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. We promote equal opportunity in the recruitment, selection, training, compensation, promotion, and benefits of all employees.

Center for Land-Based Learning is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, Center for Land-Based Learning will take the steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact HRtoGO at [e-mail].