With so many new programs, market opportunities, offers of technical or financial assistance, conflicting messaging, competing programs, and differing guidance, ‘analysis paralysis’ can be a very real barrier to adopting a new conservation practice. At the same time, accessing programs and finding real-world, on-farm experience implementing some of these practices can be a challenge. Join our panelists in discussing MN examples of stacking multiple fund sources for conservation practice implementation, and how leveraging the practical knowledge of existing farmer-mentor networks has been key to success.

Speakers: Jared House (MN Board of Soil and Water Resources) and Mark Gutierrez (Minnesota Soil Health Coalition)

Biographies:

Jared House is a seasoned conservation professional with a decade of experience in natural resource management. He has a proven track record of working collaboratively with landowners to assess, design, and implement effective conservation practices. His expertise extends to facilitating soil health events, promoting farmer-to-farmer networking, and fostering partnerships with universities, local governments, private organizations, and individuals dedicated to environmental conservation.

Currently, Jared is coordinating multiple state and federally funded soil health programs. In this role, he provides support to Soil and Water Conservation Districts and other key stakeholders in implementing these initiatives.

Mark Gutierrez joined the Minnesota Soil Health Coalition in the spring of 2021 as the Executive Director.  Mark helps carry out the mission of the state’s largest farmer-led soil health mentor network providing soil health resources, information, education, research, and mentorship to farmers across Minnesota. behind the scenes managing grants, coordinating with partner organizations, planning soil health schools, field tours, meetings and school visits, coordinating on-farm research, and communicating the benefits of soil health management practices through various media outlets.

Mark grew up working on a hay farm and a bait shop raising poultry. He graduated from New Mexico State University with a M.S. degree in Agricultural Economics, and previously worked for the USDA as an Agricultural Statistician, a manager of the Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin crop insurance region, and Deputy Director for the RMA crop insurance program.