The University of Minnesota’s West Central Research and Outreach Center (WCROC) in Morris, MN is actively seeking an experienced and highly capable Agronomy Supervisor to lead and coordinate all agronomic crop operations across its nationally recognized 1,100-acre research farm. This is a full-time, 12-month continuing position offering a competitive wage, an outstanding university benefits package, and a rare opportunity to play a pivotal leadership role on a research farm with genuine national and international scientific impact. If you are passionate about certified organic crop production, agricultural research, and farm operations leadership — this is the career opportunity you have been waiting for.
About WCROC — 1,100 Acres of National-Impact Research
Farm Scale: 1,100 acres — approximately 500 acres of pasture and 600 acres of crops near Morris, MN
Research Programs: Dairy, Horticulture, Renewable Energy, and Swine — 365 days per year operations
Unique Distinction: In-house production of certified organic crops and pasture supporting certified organic dairy and swine research
Impact: WCROC research has recognized national and international scientific impact across agriculture and sustainability
Morris, Minnesota — Premier Agricultural Research Community
University Setting: Full University of Minnesota institutional support, resources, and research infrastructure
Hybrid Onsite: Primary presence required at WCROC farm — Morris, MN
Team Structure: Seamless farm operations team led by Farm Manager with Agronomy, Livestock, and Facility Supervisors
Sponsorship: Position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. No STEM OPT training program offered.
Position Overview
The Agronomy Supervisor at WCROC is a senior leadership role responsible for supervising and coordinating the full scope of agronomic operations across the research farm’s 600 crop acres and 500 pasture acres. Reporting directly to the WCROC Farm Manager, this position oversees certified organic and conventional cropping systems, manages staff and vendor relationships, maintains compliance with regulatory and organic certification requirements, and supports the delivery of high-quality, impactful research outcomes for university faculty and project investigators. This is an active, hands-on farm leadership role where your decisions directly shape both research quality and operational excellence.
Why This Role Matters: As Agronomy Supervisor at WCROC, you are not just managing a farm — you are leading the agronomic backbone of a nationally recognized research institution. Every crop rotation decision, manure management plan, and organic certification you maintain directly supports scientific discoveries in dairy, swine, horticulture, and renewable energy that influence agricultural practice across the United States and beyond.
Roles & Responsibilities
Agronomic Crop Operations
- Supervise staff in performing all cropping operations and related agronomic activities across 600 acres of crop land and 500 acres of pasture
- Implement sound certified organic and conventional crop production practices using research-based Best Management Practices (BMPs)
- Direct and coordinate conventional and certified organic crop and land management plans covering crop rotations, variety selections, fertilizer and pesticide management, manure applications, tillage operations, and land drainage
- Oversee all necessary field operations to achieve desired feed, forage, and bedding production outcomes as outlined per research protocols — in coordination with the Farm Manager and project Principal Investigators
- Procure and manage all crop and forage research inputs including fertilizers, seed, crop protection products, fuels, harvest supplies, and crop insurance
- Develop and coordinate vendor contracts, crop insurance programs, and federal agricultural assistance programs
- Maintain detailed, comprehensive land management and crop production records at all times
- Oversee the manure management program — collecting and analyzing manure and soil samples, submitting required MPCA regulatory reports, implementing variable rate applications, and managing timely hauling and incorporation
- Monitor crop progress and health through regular field scouting, applying BMPs to optimize production potential and identify optimal harvest windows for forages, feed grains, and bedding materials
- Oversee implementation of precision agriculture technologies throughout all cropping enterprises
- Manage stored grain quality and oversee procurement and transportation of grain, feed, forage, and bedding
Equipment & Field Maintenance
- Assist and work alongside the Facilities Supervisor to monitor maintenance schedules and direct repairs of all WCROC farm equipment and vehicles
- Track equipment usage and condition — making informed decisions and recommendations for upgrades, repairs, and replacement
- Communicate and collaborate with the Farm Manager, Livestock, Facility, and Horticulture Supervisors on all equipment matters
- Monitor, develop, and implement strategies that maintain adequate field drainage patterns and maintain road and edge-of-field aesthetics across the research farm
Compliance, Reporting & Other Responsibilities
- Oversee and manage all weather station equipment and operations including collection and reporting of all weather data
- Monitor grain markets and coordinate grain inventory marketing in consultation with the Director of Operations and Farm Manager
- Maintain compliance with and advise management on local, state, and federal regulations pertaining to crop and land management — including USDA-FSA certifications and multi-peril crop insurance products
- Collaborate with WCROC supervisors and faculty to maintain certified organic crop and livestock certifications for all crop and land management activities
- Provide data, analysis, and recommendations to support business management decisions related to the cropping enterprise and equipment operations
Desired Candidate Profile
Essential Qualifications
- BS/BA degree in Agronomy, Animal Science, Agriculture Business, Farm Management, or a closely related field — plus a minimum of four years of directly relevant experience
- Alternatively, a combination of related education and work experience totaling at least eight years will be considered
Preferred & Desired Qualifications
- Master’s degree (MS/MA) in Agronomy, Animal Science, Agriculture Business, Farm Management, or a related discipline
- Experience in an agricultural research setting — including data collection, analysis, and technical writing or publications
- Demonstrated, documented experience with certified organic crop production systems
- Documented supervisory experience with proven ability to lead and develop agricultural staff teams
- Demonstrated capability in both fiscal management and personnel management within a farm operations context
- Strong organizational, oral, and written communication skills with experience leading teams effectively
- Farm management experience covering marketing, purchasing, and inventory management of agricultural products and commodities
How to Apply — Agronomy Supervisor at WCROC
Application Method: Online application only — applications must be submitted through the University of Minnesota careers portal
Required Documents: Online application form, cover letter, and resume
Additional Documents: May be uploaded via “My Job Applications” page under “My Cover Letters and Attachments”
Accommodation Requests: Email employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647 Morris, MN
Sponsorship Note: Position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. No STEM OPT training program offered.
Who Should Apply?
- Experienced Agronomy Professionals: With 4+ years in crop production management and a strong foundation in both organic and conventional farming systems
- Certified Organic Crop Specialists: With hands-on experience in organic certification compliance, crop rotations, and research-based production management
- Agricultural Research Farm Supervisors: Seeking a senior leadership role at a nationally recognized university research center
- Farm Managers & Operations Leaders: With proven experience in staff supervision, equipment management, vendor coordination, and regulatory compliance
- University Agriculture Graduates: With BS/BA or Master’s degrees in Agronomy or Farm Management and relevant farm operations leadership experience
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