Job Duties

• Communicate with the research community to learn of the latest methods for controlling disease, weeds, and insects.
  
• Advise farmers on cropping practices that will improve their economic returns as well as protect environmental sustainability.
• Evaluate new crop cultivars and their potential in a grower’s cropping program.
• Foster the use of best management practices for farming techniques, for example the practice of growing crops and ground-cover plants to minimize soil erosion.
• Monitor the effect of soil characteristics, water levels, and water drainage on plant growth and implement crop management practices in response to these factors to enhance production.
• Work with producers to encourage soil testing and plant analysis to determine crop nutrient needs and match fertility programs with those needs.
• Participate in technology transfer and training activities.
• Prepare and conduct advisory information sessions and lectures for farmers and other relevant groups.
• Evaluate crop performance as affected by weather, pests and management practices, and on occasion give evidence for insurance purposes.
• Conduct seed, crop nutrient and crop protection sales to co-op members and customers.
• Facilitate operations staff with ordering crop input products, inventory control and product delivery/support.
• Liaise with industry suppliers and collaborate with other co-op locations for training opportunities, professional growth, and technical advancement to better support members.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• A recent bachelor’s or master’s degree in agriculture or in a related science is required (within last 3 years).
• Must have organizational skills / time management skills.
• Frequent travel within assigned region for meetings with customers, prospects, and other Cooperative personnel.
• Must possess a valid Canadian driver’s license with a clean driving record.\
• Required to work toward Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) designation.
• Bilingual - fluent in both English and French would be an asset.

Preferred

• Sales aptitude.
• Demonstrated ability to solve problems and make decisions independently.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills, with ability to influence decision-making.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and experience.
• Knowledge of agronomy services, farm customers and the agriculture industry.
• Knowledge of the crop inputs business and the significance of supplier relationships.
• Knowledge of the Canadian agricultural production and farm management.