Agriculture Technician

The Mason-Lake Conservation District is seeking an Agriculture Technician to provide technical expertise to agricultural clientele in the area, carry out the Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) and provide guidance on soil health and improvement techniques. This is a fast-paced job as part of a welcoming team in a beautiful area. This position is funded by a Conservation Technical Assistance Program grant through the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Job Status: Hourly, full-time

Term: Permanent

Compensation: $23.00-25.50/hour, dependent on experience. Increases based on reaching required skill levels and training benchmarks

Benefits: Paid federal holidays, vacation leave, sick leave; health insurance option and IRA retirement plan with employer match

Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm. Occasional evenings and weekends for outreach
Location: Scottville, MI. Travel to surrounding counties

Start Date: March 2025

Closing Date: Applications accepted on March 2nd by midnight will be most competitive, though the position will remain open until filled. 

Position Summary:

The Technician is responsible for delivering on-farm technical assistance in Mason, Manistee and the west half of Lake Counties. This will be done via weekly site visits to local farms and forests in the coverage area and carrying out MAEAP. MAEAP is a risk assessment process to assist farms and forest landowners in managing their land using Generally Accepted Agricultural Management Practices (GAAMPS). MAEAP is a voluntary, confidential, non-regulatory program. Time is split between office work and field visits on farms or private lands. The Technician will frequently be on farms, which may involve traversing uneven terrain, wetlands or working around livestock in a wide range of weather conditions. The Technician may occasionally be in the vicinity of agriculture crews using hand tools, power equipment, and harvest machinery will require awareness and safety measures, and may require hands-on assistance from the Technician in the field. 

As part of the Conservation District Team, the Ag Technician will also be involved in projects that support sustainable forestry, habitat management, ground and surface water protection and related activities that educate the public and conserve natural resources of the District. Occasional evenings or weekends will be required for hosting workshops, meetings or major events. The Mason-Lake Conservation District office is co-located with a federal sister agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) under the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). This position will work collaboratively with NRCS to support and promote federal conservation programs. There are opportunities for learning and growth in this position, as part of a team that is enthusiastic, passionate, supportive, good-humored and working in a fast-paced office that provides services to over 3,000 clients per year.

Mason-Lake Conservation District strives to be the regional leader providing professional consultation, education and outreach to a variety of stakeholders in conserving, improving and sustaining our natural resources and environment. The climate of the area lends itself to a very diverse mix of agriculture, including row crops, hay, orchards, small fruit, vegetables, floriculture, dairy and livestock operations. The natural landscape is a valued aspect of the local community and economy. The rivers, lakes, dunes and forests lend themselves to ample opportunities for hiking, fishing, hunting, paddling, beachcombing, boating and more for the outdoor enthusiast. 

Position Duties:

• Coordinate all aspects of the Conservation Technical Assistant Program (CTAP) grant and MAEAP in Mason, Manistee and western Lake Counties. Be fully familiar with, and adhere to, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) grant agreement and guidelines for conducting the program at a local level.
• Provide technical expertise to landowners on agricultural topics and operations
• Promote conservation activities to farms and forest owners; conduct on-farm risk assessments for farmstead, cropping, livestock, and Forest Wetlands and Habitat Systems, assisting landowners with improvements necessary to obtain verification and be recognized as a top environmental steward.
• Assist landowners in developing emergency management plans for their farmsteads and action plans to address any environmental risks identified.
• Host at least one on-farm field day and one seminar for the public that highlights MAEAP, qualifies for MAEAP Educational Credit and promotes farm-to-farm learning. The educational events should address MAEAP Systems, potential agricultural risks, regenerative agriculture, and/or conservation practices contributing to farm environmental stewardship.
• Promote MAEAP cost-share to assist farms in making upgrades necessary to reach verification.
• Assist producers in responding to Right to Farm complaints if they arise, to bring them into conformance with Michigan’s Generally Accepted Agricultural Management Practices (GAAMPS).
• Maintain accurate records in an online database, spreadsheets as well as paper files, and a well-organized filing system for those records.
• Complete a series of required trainings related to each grant level and to continuously build skills
• Work with USDA-NRCS and other partners to leverage federal, state and local resources for farmers.
• Collaborate with co-workers and external partners to promote MAEAP and educate diverse audiences on the importance of resource protection in Mason, Manistee and western Lake Counties.
• Promote other stewardship practices and program aspects through displays and booths, monthly newsletter articles, group presentations, demonstrations, public service announcements, news releases, radio programs, social media, and other means.
• Provide timely monthly reports and updates to the Mason-Lake and Manistee Conservation Districts Board of Directors and quarterly reports to MDARD.
• Assist producers with water and manure sampling, soil health assessments, equipment calibration and abandoned well closures.
• Promote and conduct ag plastic recycling events and water testing events.
• Support Conservation District programs and activities, such as Clean Sweep and Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection, beachgrass and tree seedling sales, as needed.
• Maintain and repair the no-till grain drill which the District has available for rent; promote its use.
• Perform other essential activities as assigned by the Executive Director of the Conservation District or the MDARD grant agreement.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture or Natural Resources management from an accredited college or university.
• In lieu of educational requirements, a candidate may be considered if they can demonstrate ample knowledge and experience working on farms and an understanding of different systems of agriculture and habitat management.
• Minimum of two years of experience in agriculture or natural resource fieldwork
• Able to work independently without direct supervision and as part of a team
• Strong organizational skills
• Excellent work ethic
• Expert use of PC and Microsoft Office Suite
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in the English language
• Exhibit excellent social and interpersonal skills; relates effectively to diverse clientele and groups
• Able to “sell” conservation ideals to clients
• Able to utilize research, GAAMPS and other resources to relay advice and best management practices to clients
• Able and willing to work efficiently outdoors in varying conditions and terrain
• Able to lift and handle materials up to 40 pounds without assistance
• Able to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends
• Maintain a valid driver’s license and safe driving record
• Selected candidate must pass a federal background check, must have a reliable personal vehicle to get to work and occasionally use for work activities when a District vehicle is unavailable
• Must possess critical thinking skills, creativity, and a positive attitude supporting a fun workplace

Preferred Qualifications:

• Possess general agricultural knowledge, including common practices for row crops, hay, livestock management, orchards or specialty crops and familiarity with GAAMPs
• Knowledge of and experience working with agricultural producers and equipment
• Experience collaborating on, developing, and delivering agriculture education programs to a variety of audiences in diverse settings.
• Working knowledge of databases and computer networks
• Knowledge and experience working on farm equipment

Working knowledge of ArcGIS orArcGIS Online, Google Earth