Temporary Research Specialist

• Feb 2023 - Present

Conducted research with GrassFed Beef producers in the Northeast. Conducted research with GrassFed Beef producers in the Northeast.

Grass-Fed Cattle Buyer

• Apr 2020 - Aug 2022

East Coast Cattle Procurement

• Jul 2018 - Apr 2020

Strauss Brands has been headquartered in Franklin, WI, for over 80 years and committed to providing high-quality, premium meats, which are ethically-raised, American family farmed, and expertly butchered. We are driven by a strong commitment to improving the welfare of our animals and the environment for our children's future. Our community of farmers and butchers are dedicated to making a difference that's better for the animals, better for the Earth and better for you. Strauss Brands has been headquartered in Franklin, WI, for over 80 years and committed to providing high-quality, premium meats, which are ethically-raised, American family farmed, and expertly butchered. We are driven by a strong commitment to improving the welfare of our animals and the environment for our children's future. Our community of farmers and butchers are dedicated to making a difference that's better for the animals, better for the Earth and better for you.

Livestock Processing and Marketing Specialist

• Feb 2016 - Jun 2018

• Enhance development of the livestock and meat processing industries in New York State by assessing production and marketing challenges. Provide educational resources necessary to guide livestock management practices. Assist in enhancing economic development for the livestock industry throughout New York State. Collaborating with Tufts University, Cornell University, and Design+Urbanism Architectural, LLC. to survey New York, New England, and northern-Pennsylvania’s USDA red meat slaughter facilities to determine the bottle neck in capacity concerns. Create meat processing seminars and workshops with SUNY Cobleskill for beef, pork, lamb, goats, and poultry for producers. Develop meat and meat safety classes for the Dairy Food Extension program at Cornell University. Food Safety Lead Instructor trainer for two federal agencies; the USDA and the FDA. As the only certified Lead Instructor for HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) in New York State, have trained 60 industry personnel in HACCP; and trained 110 industry professionals and FDA compliance regulators in FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act) for Animal Foods. Show less

Land Conservation Acquisitions Specialist

• Oct 2014 - Feb 2016

• Promote watershed, farmland, and forest protection by assisting in the selection, negotiation, planning development, contracting and closing of conservation easement projects. Develop land plans and draft conservation easements, negotiate terms of easements, review property appraisals, property offers, and develop purchase contracts. Review and approve title work, Environmental Site Assessments and surveys for easements in contract. Create Baseline Documentation Reports and maps using the GIS mapping system. Coordinate conservation easement closings and ensure all activities required for closing are completed and filed. Coordinate with the stewardship program on the sound development of land plans and ensure smooth transition from acquisition to stewardship of closed properties. Develop and maintain working relationships with prospective and participating easement landowners, New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) personnel, partners and subcontractors. Assist with the development of program goals, policies, and procedures. Manage $2 million in Conservation Easement Projects. Work closely with agricultural planners on Best Management Practices for all industries of agriculture. Show less

Land Conservation Stewardship Specialist

• Feb 2013 - Oct 2014

Manage 62 Agricultural Conservation Easements on ~11,000 acres of agricultural lands within the New York City Watershed. Liaison between the easement landowner and the Easement Committee. Responsible for reserved right requests, amendments and Baseline Documentation Report updates. Completed a Future Acceptable Development Area request, two streamwork requests, a Forest Harvest Plan request and a Subdivision request. Updated all (149) conservation easement filing systems including the field binders and the online database. Show less

Teller

• Sep 2012 - Feb 2013

Worked with 100 members on a daily basis to handle their money transactions, loan payments, money orders, and credit card orders. Responsible for greeting and being courteous to members and answer questions in a timely manner. Handled between $15,000 to $75,000.00 during any given business day. Readily assist with any other tasks asked of me. Worked with 100 members on a daily basis to handle their money transactions, loan payments, money orders, and credit card orders. Responsible for greeting and being courteous to members and answer questions in a timely manner. Handled between $15,000 to $75,000.00 during any given business day. Readily assist with any other tasks asked of me.

Land Protection Intern

• Jun 2011 - Jun 2012

Prepare baseline documentation on Army Compatible Use Buffer projects and Tug Hill conservation easement projects.Improve and maintained the accuracy and professionalism of all conservation easements, monitoring reports and property documentation. Organize all land protection documents while implementing strategic systems to meet organization and conservation goals as well as Land Trust Alliance’s Best Standards and Practices. Drafted policy for monitoring of all conservation easements, while organizing field binders, offsite folders and original documents. Show less

Land Protection Specialist

• Jul 2009 - Aug 2010

Extensive contact with landowners in diverse rural and urban communities requiring the ability to cultivate conservation projects and negotiate appropriate terms meeting standards set by Otsego Land Trust and the Land Trust Alliance. Drafted conservation easement transactions including legal documents, from start to closure. Reviewed due diligence documents, appraisals and baseline documentation reports. Assisted the Executive Director in policy and procedure development along with outreach and events. Show less

Conservation Easement Management Assistant

• Jun 2008 - Apr 2009

Assisted with easement property monitoring, Rapid Ecological Assessments on new easement properties, and assisted with the creation of baseline documentation reports. Wrote easement monitoring reports, and Rapid Ecological Assessments on selected properties. Created maps using ARC Geographic Information System, and fluent with Global Positioning Systems. Familiar with database software called Conservation Connections. Assisted with easement property monitoring, Rapid Ecological Assessments on new easement properties, and assisted with the creation of baseline documentation reports. Wrote easement monitoring reports, and Rapid Ecological Assessments on selected properties. Created maps using ARC Geographic Information System, and fluent with Global Positioning Systems. Familiar with database software called Conservation Connections.

Project Assistant

• Jun 2007 - Jun 2008

Ecosystem Based Management, Division of Soil and Water. Researched and prepared briefing documents for the Deputy Commissioner and Special Assistant which pertain to the New York State Ocean and Great Lakes Ecosystem Conservation Act. Assisted the Agriculture Environmental Management outreach coordinator on media outreach and database entering. Coordinated with nine state agencies on ecosystem-based management strategies as a member of the Steering Committee. Point person for the Department to the Great Lakes and Ocean Working Groups. Show less

Small Farms Intern

• May 2006 - Aug 2006

Assessed twenty-five farms to evaluate their water and soil impact on the New York City Watershed, and how to become more environmentally friendly. Responded to environmental questions regarding water, soil, and animal maintenance. Assessed twenty-five farms to evaluate their water and soil impact on the New York City Watershed, and how to become more environmentally friendly. Responded to environmental questions regarding water, soil, and animal maintenance.