Agronomist - Farming

Agronomist - Farming

Assist in the management of a 40-acre alfalfa research farm and greenhouses. Field responsibilities include land preparation for planting, plot harvests, irrigation, and seed harvest. Additional seed responsibilities include cleaning, inventory management, and shipping. Greenhouse tasks include pollinating, plant propagation, plant maintenance, nematode screening, and insect control.

Job Duties/ Responsibilities:

• Assist in the management of forage yield trials, nurseries, and seed production.

• Manage 3-5 off-station yield trials. (includes planting, spraying, and harvesting)

• Operation, maintenance, and repair of agricultural field equipment

• Irrigation management, particularly lateral and hand line irrigation

• Pesticide and chemigation application in the field and greenhouse

• Position will be required to work in greenhouses (pollinating, cleaning, maintaining equipment)

• Rotational weekend watering of greenhouses and field plots

• Electronic data collection and management for field trials

• Field responsibilities include land preparation for planting, plot harvests, irrigation, and seed harvest

• Additional seed responsibilities include cleaning, inventory management, and shipping

• Greenhouse tasks include pollinating, plant propagation, plant maintenance, nematode screening, and insect control

• Rotating weekends (partial day Saturday/Sunday)

Qualifications/Competencies-Skills (Required):

• Must be able to obtain a state pesticide and chemigation license within 3 months of hire.

• In-depth understanding of agricultural cultural practices (e.g., ground preparation, weed control, fertility management)

• Computer proficiency for GPS tractor operation and other equipment requiring interaction with electronics

• Must be able to lift 50 lbs.

• Work schedule requires some extra hours based on Ag season (April-September). Rotating weekends (partial day Saturday/Sunday).

• Possess a valid, unrestricted driver's license and have and maintain a satisfactory driving record

Additional competencies: Strong critical thinking skills and technical background in research. Ability to work independently with limited supervision and willing to take initiative. Strong computer skills, especially with Excel, and familiarity with relational databases. Able to clearly articulate work direction and able to communicate with all levels of research staff in an effective and timely manner.

Experience-Education:

• Education (Required): Bachelor’s degree, Preferred in Agronomy or Horticulture

- Experience (Preferred): 3-5 years’ experience in agricultural research and/or greenhouse management.

The salary range for this role is $59,840 - $89,760

About Land O'Lakes, Inc.

Join us and be part of a Fortune 250, farmer- and member-owned cooperative that is reimagining the business of food. We have been named a Top Workplace by Indeed and LinkedIn, and to the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list.

Benefits for most full-time roles include medical, dental, vision, PTO, life & disability insurance, education assistance, a 401k and a variety of well-being resources. Most part-time employees are eligible for prorated PTO, holiday pay, employee development programs, prorated education assistance, and a 401(k).

Land O'Lakes, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) M/F/Vets/Disabled. The company maintains a drug-free workforce, including post-employment substance abuse testing pursuant to a Drug and Alcohol Policy.

Neither Land O’Lakes, nor its search firms, will ever contact you and ask for confidential information over the phone or in email. If you receive a call or email like this, please do not provide the information being requested.