Forage Agronomy Specialist – Ethiopia (NPA) – Land O’Lakes, Inc
Agriculture
Land O’Lakes, Inc
In 1921, 320 dairy farmers met in St. Paul, Minnesota, to form the Minnesota Cooperative Creameries Association. Their idea was simple—join together to effectively market and distribute members’ dairy production across the country.
From there, we quickly set our sights on growth. Just eight years after establishing our butter marketing organization, we expanded into the ag services and feed businesses. Our international journey kicked off 52 years later, as we began relaying the lessons we'd learned to support local agriculture in developing nations around the world. Those efforts have also helped us expand our commercial business beyond the borders of the United States.
Today, our four businesses give us a farm-to-fork view of agriculture. Pair this with our farmer ownership and we're uniquely qualified to fulfill our purpose of feeding human progress around the world, while always delivering on our responsibility to member-owners through our core values. We're united in a common cause, committed to excellence and inspired by our place in the world—but there are no shortcuts. We've never lost sight of the value of a hard day's work.
- Prepare training materials and contribute technical content to digital training apps on forage establishment, management, harvest and conservation.
- Support the establishment of demonstration sites on farms across the target regions,
- Manage adaptive research sites with nutrient-dense forage varieties, in collaboration with research institutes, by collecting and analyzing data on crop performance and forage quality.
- Using a trainer-of-trainers model, train extension service providers and agribusinesses across the forage value chain on forage agronomy topics.
- Collaborate closely with NPA’s Gender, Youth and Social Inclusion Specialist to integrate strategies that increase ability and agency of women and youth in forage production.
- A bachelor’s degree in plant science, animal science, agriculture, agricultural extension, or other relevant fields.
- At least five (5) years of relevant experience in the sector, with private sector experience preferred.
- Demonstrated technical knowledge and practical experience in forage crop production, including knowledge of best forage agronomic practices for establishment, management, harvesting and conservation of the major forage crops suitable for crop-livestock mixed production systems in the different agro-ecologies
- Experience in leading training events and developing technical training guides
- Experience in working with different partners and farmers, demonstrating effective communication and professionalism with people of different backgrounds and viewpoints.
- Good verbal and written communication skills in English.
- Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office and Excel.
Preferred Skills and Qualifications:
- A master’s degree in agronomy, animal production, feeds and nutrition, agricultural extension or other related fields