ST. LOUIS — The Soil Health Partnership welcomes two new field managers to the staff, supporting farmers on the ground in the growing soil health effort. Lisa Kubik, and Tricia Verville joined the SHP in April to assist with the growing number of farmers in the program in Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
“Recent staff promotions within our organization and our growing presence in 12 states drives this latest staff expansion,” said acting SHP Director and National Corn Growers Association Vice President of Production and Sustainability Nick Goeser. ”We welcome Lisa and Tricia to the partnership and look forward to their expertise and enthusiasm.”
SHP field managers help new farmers get started in the program with test plots, and assist along the way with soil sampling, monitoring and answering questions about the farming techniques implemented on a particular site. They help organize, attend and offer presentations at field days. Most importantly, the field managers’ expertise and training are critical to the success of the research gained from the field for the long-term data project.
Kubik will work in eastern Iowa, taking over for Elyssa McFarland who has been recently promoted to Key Relationships Director for the Soil Health Partnership. Verville will work in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
A Certified Crop Advisor, Kubik comes to the Soil Health Partnership after five years with WinField United, a Land O’Lakes Company. She is a 2014 graduate of Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural business and a minor in agronomy and animal science. She grew up on a farm in Lake Mills, Iowa.
“I most look forward to working with farmers, building those relationships and helping them make sustainable practices work economically on their farms,” Kubik said. “Farmers are interested in practices like no-till and cover crops, but they want to make sure it works for them economically. I’m excited to be part of that.”
Verville comes to the organization after a year working on shoreland, floodplain and zoning regulations for Winnebago County, Wisconsin. Prior to that, she spent three years as a Crop Specialist for Insight FS in Wautoma, Wisconsin, providing agronomy support and sales to local growers. A Certified Crop Advisor and certified crop specialist, she is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin—Stevens Point, majoring in soil and land management with a minor in environmental law enforcement.
“Everything starts with the soil and depends on the soil,” Verville said. “Even though my family didn’t farm, I have always been interested in plants and science, and soil health is critical. I am excited to be a resource for farmers.”
An initiative of the National Corn Growers Association, the Soil Health Partnership is a data-driven program working to quantify the benefits of practices that support soil health from an economic as well as environmental standpoint.
About the Soil Health Partnership
The Soil Health Partnership is a farmer-led initiative that fosters transformation in agriculture through improved soil health, benefiting both farmer profitability and the environment. With more than 100 working farms enrolled in more than 10 states the SHP tests, measures and advances progressive farm management practices that will enhance sustainability and farm economics for generations to come. SHP brings together diverse partners to work towards common goals. At least a ten-year scientific program administered by the National Corn Growers Association, the SHP’s vision is driven by initial and continuing funding and guidance from NCGA, Monsanto, the Walton Family Foundation, the Midwest Row Crop Collaborative, General Mills and USDA, with technical support from The Nature Conservancy and the Environmental Defense Fund. For more, visit soilhealthpartnership.org.
— Soil Health Partnership
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