Application Guide

How to Apply for California Regional Director

at American Farmland Trust

🏢 About American Farmland Trust

American Farmland Trust (AFT) is the only national organization dedicated to a holistic approach to agriculture, protecting farmland, promoting sound farming practices, and keeping farmers on the land. With a track record of conserving nearly 8 million acres since 1980, AFT offers a unique opportunity to drive systemic change at the intersection of agriculture, conservation, and policy in California.

About This Role

As California Regional Director, you will lead AFT's efforts in the state, overseeing program development, external relations, and fundraising to expand AFT's impact. This role is pivotal in shaping California's agricultural landscape by building partnerships, influencing policy, and advancing sustainable farming practices.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a morning call with your team to align on program milestones, followed by a meeting with a potential corporate partner to discuss a farmland conservation grant. After lunch, you could be drafting a funding proposal for a foundation, then attending a virtual roundtable with state agency staff on climate-smart agriculture policy. The day might end with a networking event with agricultural stakeholders in the Central Valley.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who American Farmland Trust Is Looking For

  • A strategic leader with deep knowledge of California's agricultural and conservation landscape, including water issues, land use, and climate-smart agriculture.
  • An entrepreneurial fundraiser with a proven track record of cultivating and closing major gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporate partners.
  • A skilled team manager who can inspire and lead a high-performing team to achieve ambitious program and budget goals.
  • A relationship-builder with experience working across diverse stakeholders, including government agencies (e.g., CDFA, NRCS), nonprofits, and agribusiness.

📝 Tips for Applying to American Farmland Trust

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific California agriculture and conservation experience, including any work with state agencies or on issues like groundwater management or sustainable agriculture.

2

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your fundraising successes to AFT's mission, citing dollar amounts and types of donors (e.g., foundations, individual major gifts).

3

Demonstrate your understanding of AFT's holistic approach by referencing their three focus areas: land protection, agricultural viability, and sound farming practices.

4

Prepare a one-page vision statement for how you would grow AFT's impact in California, including potential partnerships and programmatic priorities.

5

Research AFT's current California initiatives (e.g., California Agricultural Land Conservation and Stewardship Program) and mention specific ideas for expansion in your application.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your passion for AFT's mission and your understanding of the interconnected challenges of farmland loss, climate change, and farmer viability.", 'Your strategic leadership experience, including examples of scaling programs or organizations in California.', 'Your fundraising expertise, with concrete examples of securing major gifts or grants from California-based funders.', "Your ability to navigate California's complex agricultural and political landscape, including relationships with key stakeholders."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review AFT's strategic plan and recent annual reports to understand their goals and impact metrics.
  • → Study AFT's current California projects, such as the California Agricultural Land Conservation and Stewardship Program and their work on farmland protection in the Central Valley.
  • → Familiarize yourself with key California agricultural policy issues, including the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) and climate-smart agriculture programs.
  • → Research AFT's major funders and partners in California to identify potential alignment with your network.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you grow AFT's donor base in California, particularly among tech philanthropists and corporate partners?
2 Describe a time you led a team through a significant change or growth phase. What was your approach?
3 What is your vision for AFT's role in California's water management and sustainable groundwater initiatives?
4 How would you balance AFT's priorities of farmland protection, farmer support, and conservation practices in a state with diverse agricultural regions?
5 Can you provide an example of a successful partnership you built with a government agency or nonprofit that advanced conservation goals?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic application that doesn't reference California-specific issues or AFT's unique holistic approach.
  • Overemphasizing policy advocacy without demonstrating understanding of AFT's programmatic and fundraising responsibilities.
  • Failing to show entrepreneurial drive; this role requires building new initiatives, not just managing existing ones.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to American Farmland Trust!

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