What’s been happening:

I graduated in May 1996 with a BS in Environmental Resource Mgmt., concentrating in soil and water conservation. I went to work for PSU Extension for 6 months, and then was hired by the York County Conservation District. I worked for them for 5 1/2 years, actively working with nutrient mgmt. and natural resources conservation on farms. In 2002, I began working for the Lancaster County Conservation District, funded through a grant from the PA Dept. of Agriculture, called the PA Agricultural Ombudsman Program. There are only 2 of us in PA. We deal with education, public relations and conflict management related to agriculture. Through proactive means, we strive to minimize conflicts between the agricultural/rural and urban/suburban "worlds". Some professional interest areas include Smart Growth principles; emergency preparedness of farms from natural disasters (flood, tornado, ice storm), medical crisis, fires/explosions, agroterrorism, foreign animal diseases, etc; and proper mortality disposal. In 1997, I met my future husband, Andy. We married in 2000. We have a daughter who was born in 2004, and a daughter born in 2007. My in-laws have a dairy farm, which keeps my husband busy in his spare time, but we all spend a lot of time there. I am involved in community and church activities. I enjoy deer and small game hunting, and downhill skiing.