Farm Business Management Specialist

About the Department

Cornell Cooperative Extension's Southwest NY Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Team partners with farmers across Southwestern New York to strengthen farm profitability, sustainability, and long-term success. Our team works alongside producers, agricultural businesses, educators, and industry partners to deliver practical, research-based solutions that help agricultural communities thrive.

The Opportunity

Are you passionate about agriculture and excited by the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of farmers and rural communities?

Join a collaborative, supportive team dedicated to helping agricultural businesses navigate financial, operational, and transition planning challenges. In this role, you'll work directly with farmers, agricultural professionals, and industry partners to provide education, guidance, and resources that support the success of farms throughout the region.

This is more than a desk job. You'll spend time building trusted relationships with producers, traveling throughout the region, identifying emerging issues facing agriculture, and developing educational programs that create lasting impact. If you're looking for a career where you can combine your agricultural expertise, communication skills, and passion for helping others, we'd love to hear from you.

What you'll Do

• Build meaningful relationships with farmers, producers, and agricultural stakeholders throughout Western New York.
• Develop and deliver educational programming, workshops, webinars, and one-on-one consultations focused on farm business management in the areas of dairy, livestock, and field crops production
• Identify emerging trends and challenges facing agricultural businesses and help develop practical educational responses.
• Collaborate with the Team, other regional specialists, Cornell faculty, industry partners, and community organizations to support farm viability and economic success.
• Assist with educational program planning, implementation, evaluation, and reporting.
• Develop outreach materials including in-person and virtual presentations, fact sheets, online content, and other educational resources.
• Utilize technology and virtual programming platforms in addition to traditional paper resources to expand educational access to a diverse agricultural audience.
• Participate in grant-supported projects, program reporting activities, and statewide Extension initiatives.
• Travel extensively throughout the assigned region to meet with producers, deliver and support educational programming, and attend events.
• Contribute to a highly collaborative team culture that values innovation, communication, and shared problem-solving.

What We Need

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Business Management, or related fields and 3+ years of relevant work experience in agribusiness, field crop production, dairy management, livestock management, education, or closely related fields, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of principles, theory, and research in the economics and business management of commercial production of dairy, livestock, and field crops.
• Strong interpersonal skills with proven ability to work with diverse audiences in group and one-on-one settings; working effectively with advisory boards and committees, community and funding partners.
• Fundamental competence utilizing current technology as a management and program delivery tool (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, internet, web development, and social media).
• Knowledge and experience in current and emerging issues and production practices of dairy, livestock, and field crops farm businesses in the Eastern U.S.
• Knowledge of the philosophy, objectives, and operation of an informal education system such as Cornell Cooperative Extension.
• Ability to define, conduct and interpret applied research and demonstration projects.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven organizational and time-management skills.
• Strong leadership and teamwork skills.
• Creativity, energy, motivation, and positive enthusiasm.
• Must be able to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Able to work in a fast-paced environment and quickly adjust to changing priorities.
• Appreciation of agriculture as a business and as a lifestyle.
• Must be able to meet the travel requirements of the position and have reliable transportation as well as have and maintain a valid and unrestricted New York State driver's license.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as essential job functions require.
• Must exercise sound and ethical judgment when acting on behalf of the University.
• Compliant with all Cornell University and job-related training requirements.
• Experience modeling values that support inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing.

It Would Be a Bonus if You Have Any of the Following

• Advanced degree (Master of Science or Master of Business Administration) in a closely related field.
• Coursework in Animal and Crop Sciences, Marketing, Labor Management, Adult Education, and Communications.
• Successful Experience obtaining new funding including grants and industry support.
• 5+ years relevant work experience.

Important Notes About Applying

A resume and cover letter outlining your interest and how your experience and goals align with the potential for mutual success in the role are required for consideration.

This is a 12-month fixed-term position. Continuation beyond the initial term is anticipated but not guaranteed and is dependent upon organizational needs, funding availability, and satisfactory job performance.

• This position follows a highly flexible hybrid work model. Employees typically spend time working from home, regional offices in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, and Steuben counties, and in the field meeting directly with producers. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.
• Regular travel throughout Western New York and occasional state-wide travel is expected.
• Occasional evening and weekend work is required to meet the needs of the region's agricultural audiences.
• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• Relocation assistance may be considered during the offer process but is not guaranteed.
• A successful driving record will be required due to the travel expectations of the role.

Rewards and Benefits

• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.

• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell

• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell

• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.

The hiring team encourages candidates from a variety of agricultural backgrounds to apply. If your experience has prepared you to build trusted relationships with farmers, deliver educational programming, and support the future of agriculture, we encourage you to submit an application.

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