As part of the Agroecology + Innovation Matters initiative’s three-prong strategy, a Capacity Building Initiative team was created. The Capacity Building Initiative consists of 40 Conservation Planners throughout the state to provide technical assistance services to landowners at Illinois’ 98 Soil & Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) and 102 National Resources Conservation Service centers.
Region 1
Boone SWCD | Ashley Barry ashley.barry@aimillinois.org
JoDaviess SWCD | Alexis Zimmerlein alexis.zimmerlein@aimillinois.org
Kane SWCD | Olivia Winters olivia.winters@aimillinois.org
LaSalle SWCD | Kasey Ellis kasey.ellis@aimillinois.org
McHenry SWCD | Aidan Woltman aidan.woltman@aimillinois.org
Rock Island SWCD | Leticia Taliafero leticia.taliafero@aimillinois.org
Will SWCD | Wyatt Dozier wyatt.dozier@aimillinois.org
Winnebago SWCD | Hunter Cejka hunter.cejka@aimillinois.org
Region 2
Adams SWCD | Andrew Parks andrew.parks@aimillinois.org
Calhoun SWCD | Brittany Logan brittany.logan@aimillinois.org
Cass SWCD | Alexander Daniel alexander.daniel@aimillinois.org
Knox SWCD | Tim Blackwell timothy.blackwell@aimillinois.org
Logan SWCD | Norval Taliafero norval.taliafero@aimillinois.org
Montgomery SWCD | Chris Emerson chris.emerson@aimillinois.org
Pike SWCD | Stacey Burnett stacey.burnett@aimillinois.org
Sangamon SWCD | Nicholas Werries nicholas.werries@aimillinois.org
Scott SWCD | Courtney Lercher courtney.lercher@aimillinois.org
Region 3
Clark SWCD | Jamie Harris jamie.harris@aimillinois.org
Crawford SWCD | Brad Buchanan brad.buchanan@aimillinois.org
Edgar SWCD | Cole Crawford cole.crawford@aimillinois.org
Fayette SWCD | Morgan Cauble morgan.cauble@aimillinois.org
Livingston SWCD | Michael Devine michael.devine@aimillinois.org
Macon SWCD | Erin Hoover erin.hoover@aimillinois.org
McLean SWCD | John Anians john.anians@aimillinois.org
Moultrie SWCD | Shannon Kuffel shannon.kuffel@aimillinois.org
Piatt SWCD | Adam Sickles adam.sickles@aimillinois.org
Shelby SWCD | Reed Best reed.best@aimillinois.org
Vermilion SWCD | John McNally john.mcnally@aimillinois.org
Region 4
Bond SWCD | Brad Duft bradley.duft@aimillinois.org
Clay SWCD | Taylor Hartke taylor.hartke@aimillinois.org
Gallatin SWCD | Chaurda Hathaway chaurda.hathaway@aimillinois.org
Jackson SWCD | Grace Clark grace.clark@aimillinois.org
Monroe SWCD | Jason McKinley jason.mckinley@aimillinois.org
Union SWCD | Caitlin Allen caitlin.allen@aimillinois.org
Wayne SWCD | Davonne Long davonne.long@aimillinois.org
One of the goals of Agroecology + Innovation Matters and the Capacity Building Initiative is to take aim forward. We are developing a workforce trained in agroecology methods, certified in various conservation techniques, and incentive programs offered by USDA and the State of Illinois. Our Conservation Planners are continually being promoted to positions in other agencies, so we are always on the lookout for people interested in agroecology careers – both with our initiative and affiliated organizations.
If you’re interested in a job with AIM, submit a resume to Kristen.Heaton@illinois.gov.