2020 TSPN Board of Directors Nominees
Sabine Carey
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I have more than 30 years of experience in the organic and sustainable agriculture field, including pesticide resistance research at PSU and cover crop research trials at the Rodale Institute. I received a BA in International Development from Penn State.
I performed on-site organic inspections in Pennsylvania for both crops and dairy operations for more than 13 years, and have worked for PCO, a USDA- accredited organic certification agency for 20 years, first as a Certification Specialist, now as a Senior Materials Specialist. Along with my family, I currently operate a small cut flower and pastured livestock operation in Central Pennsylvania, serve on the managing board of our local farmer's market as well as the Steering Committee of the PA- Women in Ag Network. I have been a certified Technical Service Provider for NRCS since 2012, and have prepared conservation plans (CAP 138) for producers transitioning to organic production in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. I am committed to supporting local food and farming systems that respect and promote the protection and nurturing of natural resources. |
Steve Gray
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After a B.S. in Forestry from the University of Ky., I began my career as a soil scientist and switched to forestry where I worked with the Ky. Division of Forestry for 32 years, retiring as a regional forester. I have worked 10 years as a consulting forester, which includes 7 years as a TSP. Memberships include the Society of American Foresters, the Association of Consulting Foresters, Ky. Association of Consulting Foresters and the Ky. Forest Industries Association. I am also a 40 year+ member of the National Speleological Society with a special interest in mapping caves and protecting karst environments. As a TSP, I write CAP 106 Forest Management Plans and then help landowners implement proper forest management practices including timber harvesting, forest stand improvement, invasive species control and tree planting. I work primarily is in a ten county area just south of Louisville, Ky.
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Benjamin L. Myers
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Owner, Panther Creek Forestry
Education: Bachelor of Science, Forestry University of the South (May 2000) Employment and Experience: Consulting Forester/Owner - Panther Creek Forestry, LLC (January 2009 – present) McMinnville, TN Partner – Forest and Farm Resources (January 2007 – January 2009) McMinnville, TN Forester – Studer Management Services (2002-2007)- Dunlap, TN Forester – Sequatchie Forest and Wildlife (2001 – 2002) Jasper, TN Forester – Green Crow Corporation (2000 – 2001) Port Angeles, Washington American Tree Farm System – Certified Tree Farm Inspector (2004-present) TN Division of Forestry – Cooperating Consulting Forester (2010 – present) TN Division of Forestry - Certified Burn Manager (2014 – present) Natural Resources Conservation Service – Certified Technical Service Provider (2013-present) Savage Gulf Preservation League – President (2008-2014) Friends of the South Cumberland – member (2014-present), Board member (2016-present) The Nature Conservancy/U.S. Forest Service – Cherokee National Forest – South Zone Collaborative: Management of Off-site Pine in Dry Forest Communities (Group member) Professional Memberships: Society of American Foresters – member (2000 – present) American Tree Farm System – member (2002 – present), Southeast Tennessee District Chair (2007-2015) Tennessee Forestry Association – member (2002-present) Legislative Committee (2004-2007) Tree Farm Committee (2007-present) Kentucky-Tennessee Society of American Foresters – member (2000-present) Southeast TN Chapter – Secretary/Treasurer (2004-2006)- Chairman (2007-2008) |
Jeff Naysmith
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I have lifelong experience in production agriculture, growing up on a farm in North Central Kansas. Our family farm included irrigated and rain-fed crops, as well as a small cow-calf herd and feeder pigs. My parents have retired from farming, but still own the land. I own land there as well. Our land is rented out to a neighboring farm, and has been continuous no-till for many years. No-till has worked very well on our farms. Upon completing college in 1991, I was employed by Servi-Tech as a crop consultant in East Central Nebraska for 4 years. I then entered the Cooperative System in 1995 in different roles as Crop Management Specialist, Location Manager, and Agronomist in South Central Kansas. My current employer is Cooperative Grain and Supply in Hillsboro, KS. The crops in our area include corn, soybeans, wheat, and grain sorghum. I provide agronomy consulting and technical support for producers in our trade territory.
I obtained my Kansas TSP Nutrient Management 590 certification in September of 2019. In February of 2020, I added Kansas TSP CAP 104 Nutrient Management Certification in February of 2020. Currently, I am working with a producer on a Nutrient Management Plan 590 and are in process of completing the first year. Additionally, I have 3 CAP 104 plans with 3 producers that have been approved for funding. We are just getting started into those plans. These will be challenging, but I look forward to working through the process and getting them completed. BS Agronomy Kansas State University 1991 BS Business Administration Kansas State University 1991 TSP-18-22570 CAP 104 Kansas Nutrient Management 590 Kansas CCA #16227 Kansas |
Al Van Grouw
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Having worked in the retail agronomy sector in Iowa and Minnesota for sixteen years, gave me valuable experience in crop production. I have since transitioned over to an agronomy consulting company, which I own. I have assisted growers through various cost sharing programs through the NCRS. I have written many CAP 102, CAP 104 and CAP 114 plans to assist growers with livestock and crop production projects. I am a charter member of TSPN and enjoy working with growers on new techniques and practices. Since I live in southern Minnesota, most of my work is located in southern Minnesota. I had the honor of celebrating 25 years as a Certified Crop Advisor last year in the state of Iowa.
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