Regenerative Agriculture Program Manager

Latino Chamber; Minnesota; Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-paid medical, dental, vision

Employer-paid disability insurance

Paid parental leave

Paid holidays (9 days incl. floating)

Paid time off for holidays

Hybrid work environment

Job summary

LEDC, the Latino Economic Development Center, seeks a bilingual Regenerative Agriculture Program Manager to lead regenerative agriculture initiatives across Minnesota, expanding land access, capital, and markets for BIPOC farmers. The role emphasizes program oversight, fundraising, and compliance while aligning with LEDC’s mission.

The RAPM will supervise agricultural technical assistance, lending partnerships, and grant activities, with a focus on equity, community wealth, and regional economic

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in a related field.
• 3–5 years’ experience in the agricultural sector or lending to farmers.
• 3+ years of leadership experience in a nonprofit, CDFI, or community development organization.
• Experience developing financial programs for underserved farming communities.
• Knowledge of agriculture, agricultural lending and grant making.
• Understanding of CDFI regulations and compliance requirements.
• Strong community development experience with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to oversee programs addressing capital, land, and markets for underserved farmers.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-on-one consulting and technical assistance to entrepreneurs and small businesses.
• Assist with business planning, market analysis, and expansion strategies.
• Help clients with registrations, licensing, permits, and regulatory navigation.
• Support loan packaging and access to capital with partners.
• Analyze cash flow and financial statements with coaching on financial management.
• Build referral partnerships with banks, chambers, and foundations.
• Lead outreach, workshops, and educational programs; maintain client records.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Grant writing

Financial analysis

Nonprofit management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in finance, sustainability, agriculture, business, economics or related fields

Job description

Location: Saint Paul, MN (Hybrid)
Job Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Hours: 9am - 5pm weekdays, with occasional evenings/weekends
Salary:$75,000–$90,000 per year

About the Role

Support Latino agriculture entrepreneurs in starting, growing, and sustaining regenerative farm businesses. The Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) is seeking a bilingual (Spanish/English) Regenerative Agriculture Program Manager to lead and grow our regenerative agriculture initiatives—expanding equitable access to land, capital, technical assistance, and markets. This role focuses on strengthening BIPOC and underserved farmers’ success while advancing community wealth, resilient local food systems, and long-term regional economic development.

The Regenerative Agriculture Program Manager (RAPM) will serve as the program lead of the Regenerative Agriculture program. This strategic program role involves oversight of the program,ensuring alignment and integration with LEDCs long-term goals and mission. This role isresponsible for developing and implementing strategic agricultural program that supportunderserved communities and promote economic development. The RAPM will overseeagricultural business technical assistance, agricultural loan underwriting, accessing grants forfarmers, partnership building, and fundraising. The RAPM will also oversee all program areasbudgets and reporting compliance. This role must be bilingual in Spanish and English.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide one-on-one business consulting and technical assistance to entrepreneurs and small businesses.
• Assist with business planning, market analysis, marketing strategies, and business expansion.
• Help clients navigate business registration, licensing, permitting, and regulatory requirements.
• Support loan packaging, financial documentation, and access to capital through LEDC and lending partners.
• Analyze cash flow and financial statements while coaching business owners on financial management.
• Build referral partnerships with banks, chambers, community organizations, and government agencies.
• Conduct outreach, presentations, workshops, and educational programs.
• Maintain accurate client records and reporting in the organization’s CRM.
• Represent LEDC at community events and partner meetings.
• Hybrid work environment.
• Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Paid parental leave.
• 9 paid holidays (including two floating holidays).
• Paid time off between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.
• Standard weekday schedule (9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.) with occasional evenings and weekends.

1. Program Initiatives and Operations (45%)

• Lead the implementation of strategic initiatives and ensure alignment with the organization’s mission and goals. Focus on Agricultural Lending, Land Access, Business Technical Assistance, and Market Access.
• Ensure effective delivery of Agricultural technical assistance to farmers throughout Minnesota, Western WI, and other expansion areas.
• Develop, oversee, and implement the Regenerative Farmer Technical Assistance and Land Access Program at LEDC.
• Oversee, creation and implementation of Land Access Program at LEDC.
• Develop and implement program evaluation frameworks to assess effectiveness and outcomes.
• Serve as an implementation partner on LEDCs strategic goals and initiatives
• Develop a Rural-Urban Agriculture Access to Market program at LEDC Strategic Initiatives like Plaza Del Sol
• Assist Farmers and Market Vendors gain access to broader market opportunities and develop an innovative program to expand BIPOC farmers access to agricultural growth and market opportunities.
• Develop robust regenerative agriculture training modules and lending best practices
• Partner with other organizations that compliment our program
• Create revenue generating ideas for long term sustainability of the program

2. Leadership and Supervision (25%)

• Lead and inspire a team by following best practices in hiring, training, and developing direct reports, fostering a culture of continuous growth and development, and driving positive change through effective leadership and influence.
• Hold staff accountable to work plans and mentor staff in leadership and professional development
• Effectively communicate across LEDC Departments and Executive Director.
• Oversee key outcomes, key performance indicators, and general programmatic goals.
• Develop reports and presentations for funders, board members, leadership, and partners.
• Participate in opportunities that elevate LEDC in MN and other states
• Represent LEDC in a favorable light and bring forth opportunities that elevate the
• organization and fundraising prospects
• Bring to leadership policy recommendations, ecostystem ideas, and innovative ways in
• which we could elevate BIPOC farmers in the farm ecosystem
• Elevate Regenerative Ag resources and provide trainings

3. Grant Assistance, compliance and reporting (15%)

• Work with the Executive Director, Director of Operations and Finance Director to ensure accurate financial reporting and compliance with financial regulations.
• Ensures timely reporting in compliance with grants requirements
• Monitor grant opportunities and bring them to management and grant writers attention
• Serve as a subject matter expert for grant applications, prospecting and reporting

4. Outreach and Relationship Management (10%)

• Establish and maintain relationships with government agencies, foundations and financialinstitutions.
• Establish and maintain relationships with other Agricultural lenders and Nonprofit organizations across the Midwest to provide wrap-around support for farmers.

5. Other Duties as Assigned (5%)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, sustainability, agriculture, business, economics or other related fields
• Three to five years’ experience working within the agricultural sector including: farm management, farm business technical assistance, and market access for farmers, and/or experience lending to farmers.
• At least 3 years of leadership experience within a non-profit, CDFI or community development organization.
• Experience developing and implementing financial programs to meet the needs of underserved farming communities, including conducting educational workshops.
• Knowledge of agriculture, agricultural business and finance
• Knowledge of agricultural lending and grant making.
• Knowledge of CDFI regulations and compliance requirements
• Strong understanding of community development and the ability to work with underserved communities.
• Experience building and maintaining relationships with community stakeholders, government agencies, financial institutions, and philanthropic organization
• Ability to oversee and improve programs directed at supporting the needs of underserved farmers in access to capital, land, and markets

Preferred

• Master’s degree in a related field
• Experience working on farms and an intimate understanding of the realities of agriculture.

Physical Requirements:

• This role requires the ability to move equipment, documents, or work materials up to 30 pounds.

Organization:

The Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that serves all of Minnesota and whose mission is to transform our community by creating economic opportunities for Latinos/as/e Since 2003, LEDC has worked with aspiring entrepreneurs and existing small businesses to offer technical assistance, business development strategies, and access to affordable capital for equipment, working capital, and/or land/building acquisition or rehabilitation needs. Our vision is a thriving multicultural community enriched with Latino leadership, culture, and economic influence. With over 370,000 Latinos in MN representing 6% of the population, it is imperative to have a presence in the region.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

LEDC celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Reasonable accommodation will be provided for applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance, please contact us at [e-mail]. Please indicate what assistance is needed.

LEDC regrets that it is unable to offer H-1B sponsorship at this time. The successful candidate, under U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations, must be able to accept work in the U.S. by the day employment begins.