I have been serving the central Upper Peninsula as Conservation Technical Assistance Initiative Specialist (CTAI) since the fall of 2006—time flies when you’re having fun! Although I work for the Delta Conservation District, my work has brought me to many diverse areas of Menominee, Schoolcraft, Luce, Mackinac, Alger, and Marquette counties, encompassing the largest service area for a technician in my position statewide.

My workload is allocated by the local NRCS District Conservationists who provide a delivery system for the Farm Bill technical assistance and cost-share programs that help get conservation practices on the ground in our local area. These programs include the Environmental Quality Incentives, Wildlife Habitat Improvement, and Wetland Reserve Programs. My work consists of a broad assortment of contracting and on-site technical assistance, GPS/GIS use for land mapping, conservation plan development, implementation and maintenance, and construction inspection, just to name a few. The future looks bright for the CTAI program, as it has been deemed a success by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture / Natural Resources Conservation Service—the partners in funding and overseeing the program.

Through my work with the Delta Conservation District, I can reflect on many positive relationships with the farmers and landowners of the Central UP. If you have an interest in how the Farm Bill programs can support and enhance your land management goals, I look forward to working with you also!