Help us welcome some new faces at the Allegan Conservation District! In January, we were able to hire two Soil Conservation Technicians, Bonne Matheson and Jenna Rasmusson. As Soil Conservation Technicians, they are assisting with planning for, funding, and implementing conservation practices on agricultural land, as well as working on some education and outreach for our district.
Bonne Matheson
Bonne Matheson grew up in Colorado, but found herself in the Midwest to graduate from Knox College with a B.A. in Biology. Since graduation, she has served as a Agriculture Extension Agent with the Peace Corps in Cameroon, and has worked as an Environmental Restoration Technician in Wisconsin. Bonne’s experience is largely focused in natural resources conservation through implementation of sustainable agriculture techniques. With the Allegan Conservation District, Bonne looks forward to working with farmers and landowners to discover effective ways to conserve soils, protect watersheds, integrate sustainable farming practices, and improve farm efficiency. When Bonne is not digging in the soil, she enjoys hiking, camping, and mountain biking.
Jenna Rasmusson
Jenna Rasmusson graduated from Iowa State University with a B.S. in Agronomy and a minor in Geology specializing in soil and water sciences. Originally from Minnesota, Jenna interned with her local agricultural cooperative scouting fields and managing soil testing before moving on to two different research internships. Through research she was able to learn more about micronutrient applications in large row crop operations in North and South Dakota, and participate in long term water quality monitoring efforts in Iowa. Jenna is passionate about conserving our natural resources and is eager to engage with local community members through education, outreach, and volunteer opportunities. Jenna is an avid outdoor enthusiast and enjoys hiking, skiing, and traveling. She is very excited that by moving to Michigan she will be able to have visited all 5 Great Lakes!