Grower Impact: Sustainability Programs Lead

Innovative Ag Services; Monticello (IA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Innovative Ag Services (IAS) is seeking a Sustainability Program Specialist to support enrollment, data management, and carbon intensity initiatives for growers in East Central Iowa. This role blends agronomy, data analysis, and customer service to expand program value and market opportunities.

You will work closely with growers, Agronomy Sales Advisors, grain personnel, and industry partners to drive program readiness, documentation, and impact across sustainability efforts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field is required.
• Minimum of three years of experience in agriculture, agronomy, conservation, sustainability, or project management.
• Understanding of Midwestern crop production systems and farm management practices.
• Experience working directly with growers and agricultural stakeholders.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and data management systems.
• Excellent communication, organization, and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary point of contact for growers participating in IAS sustainability programs and initiatives.
• Support grower enrollment and onboarding into sustainability programs.
• Coordinate grower communications regarding program requirements, deadlines, and reporting.
• Track participation metrics and support continuous improvement of IAS sustainability program offerings.
• Assist with the collection, validation, and management of farm management data used in carbon intensity calculations.
• Support development and distribution of grower sustainability and carbon intensity reports.
• Help growers understand the agronomic and management factors influencing carbon intensity scores.
• Assist in identifying opportunities for growers to improve environmental performance and capture additional program value.
• Support documentation requirements associated with low-carbon grain, biofuel, and sustainability programs.
• Educate growers on conservation and soil health practices, including reduced tillage, cover crops, nutrient management, and water quality initiatives.
• Assist growers with participation in conservation incentive and cost-share programs.
• Coordinate with conservation agencies, watershed groups, and industry partners to support project implementation.
• Promote adoption of practices that improve soil health, nutrient efficiency, and long-term farm sustainability.
• Utilize sustainability software platforms and agricultural data systems to manage grower information.
• Review field-level management records for completeness, accuracy, and program eligibility.
• Analyze sustainability performance metrics and prepare grower-facing reports.
• Support internal reporting and project tracking requirements.
• Maintain confidential grower records and ensure data integrity.
• Serve as an educational resource for IAS employees and customers regarding sustainability programs and opportunities.
• Assist in creating grower communications, presentations, training materials, and educational resources.
• Support sustainability training initiatives for Agronomy Sales Advisors and other internal stakeholders.
• Represent IAS at grower meetings, field days, industry events, and educational programs.

Skills

Project management

Data management

Communication

Relationship-building

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Innovative Ag Services (IAS) is seeking a Sustainability Program Specialist to support enrollment, data management, and carbon intensity initiatives for growers in East Central Iowa. This role blends agronomy, data analysis, and customer service to expand program value and market opportunities.

You will work closely with growers, Agronomy Sales Advisors, grain personnel, and industry partners to drive program readiness, documentation, and impact across sustainability efforts.