About this role
Join a team that nourishes life from farm to table! Upstate Niagara Cooperative, proudly owned by 200+ local family farms, is one of Americas largest and most stable dairy cooperatives. Guided by farmer- and employee-led values, we process and market high-quality milk, yogurt, dips, sour cream, cottage cheese, and more under our trusted brands: Upstate Farms, Bison, Milk for Life, and Intense Milk. Here, youll support sustainable farming, strong communities, and the mission to deliver fresh, local dairy to families every day.
Position Summary
The Field Representative supports member farms in meeting UNC Dairy program requirements related to milk quality, regulatory compliance, animal care, environmental stewardship, and workforce development.
Reporting to the Manager, Member Services , and working closely with Area Managers , this position serves as a vital link between UNC Dairy and its member farms. The Field Representative conducts regulatory farm inspections as a Certified Milk Inspector (CMI) , assists with FARM program evaluations, supports milk quality improvement initiatives, and fosters strong producer relationships through regular communication, education, and problem-solving.
Key Responsibilities
Regulatory Compliance & Milk Quality
- Obtain and maintain a Certified Milk Inspector (CMI) license through the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, including completion of all required training, examinations, and practical requirements within the first year of employment.
- Conduct Grade "A" dairy farm inspections and support compliance with state and federal regulations, including the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) .
- Monitor milk quality metrics, including somatic cell counts (SCC), bacterial counts, antibiotic residues, and other quality indicators.
- Partner with producers to identify root causes of milk quality concerns and implement corrective action plans.
- Maintain accurate inspection reports, farm records, corrective action documentation, and regulatory records.
- Educate producers on regulatory requirements and provide practical guidance for achieving and maintaining compliance.
FARM Programs & Farm Development
- Conduct or assist with FARM Animal Care evaluations, including follow-up on required protocols, documentation, training, and third-party verification activities.
- Work toward FARM Animal Care Evaluator Certification when eligibility requirements are met.
- Support Environmental Stewardship initiatives by collecting farm data, completing FARM ES and COOL Farm Tool documentation, and following up on annual reporting requirements.
- Conduct FARM Workforce Development evaluations and support producers with employee training, documentation, and workforce development resources.
- Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and provide education, tools, and resources to help producers meet FARM program expectations.
Member Relations & Cooperative Support
- Build and maintain strong relationships with member-producers through regular farm visits, communication, education, and problem-solving.
- Serve as a trusted resource by responding to producer questions, addressing concerns, and connecting members with appropriate cooperative resources.
- Communicate cooperative programs, policies, expectations, and other relevant information to member farms.
- Collaborate with Area Managers, Member Services, milk quality personnel, and other cooperative departments to address member needs and resolve issues.
- Participate in staff meetings, membership meetings, corporate meetings, and ongoing professional development activities related to regulatory requirements, FARM programs, milk quality, and cooperative operations.
Education & Experience
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Animal Science, Dairy Science, Agriculture , or a related field.
- Basic understanding of dairy farm operations, cattle care and handling, and milk quality management.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Certified Milk Inspector (CMI) license within the first year of employment.
Preferred
- Dairy farm internships or hands-on dairy farm experience.
- Exposure to FARM program standards, environmental stewardship programs, FARM ES, or COOL Farm Tool through coursework, internships, or professional training.
Equivalent Experience
The following combinations may be considered in lieu of a bachelor's degree:
- Associate degree plus two years of dairy farm experience , or
- Four years of dairy industry experience
Skills & Qualifications
- Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Ability to learn and navigate data-entry and reporting platforms.
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
- Excellent attention to detail and recordkeeping abilities.
- Ability to identify issues, assist with problem-solving, and escalate concerns appropriately.
- Effective time-management and organizational skills with the ability to independently manage a multi-farm schedule.
- Dependable, self-motivated, and committed to continuous learning.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality of farm and cooperative information.
- Ability to meet the physical demands of the position.
Working Conditions
- Based in the Batavia, NY office.
- Approximately 50-75% of work time is spent visiting member farms.
- Work environments include barns, milkhouses, farm offices, and outdoor settings in varying weather conditions.
- Regular local travel is required.
- Occasional overnight travel (approximately 2-4 times per year ) may be necessary.
- Functions as part of a four-person field team responsible for supporting FARM evaluations and regulatory inspections across assigned territories.
Pay: $60K-$75K per year*
* The salary range listed for this position represents the good faith and reasonable minimum and maximum pay for this role at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, training, knowledge, education, and overall qualifications. The posted salary range reflects just one component of our total rewards package. Other components of the total rewards package may include participation in group health and/or dental insurance, retirement plan, wellness program, paid time away from work, and paid holidays.
Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.