Jordan Seger named director of ISDA’s Division of Soil Conservation

Jordan Seger has been named the new director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture Division of Soil Conservation.

Seger, 26, has been a program manager in Agricultural and Environmental Affairs for the Soils division since April of 2012. He worked for a year with ISDA field staff prior to that. He attended Indiana University, from where he was graduated with a B.S. in Public Affairs. Seger grew up in the Jasper area and was involved with his family’s poultry operation prior to joining the department.
“I am very happy to announce Jordan’s appointment as director,” Director Gina Sheets said. “His service to the department, the agribusiness community and the state, have been invaluable. He brings a great combination of knowledge, understanding both the complexities of modern farming operation and the importance of environmental stewardship. He will continue to be a big part of the department’s effort to help landowners make sound conservation work in harmony with and toward a better business operation.”

Seger said he is happy to have the opportunity.
“I am excited to serve Indiana agriculture and the Administration in this new capacity, and I’m anxious to work more closely with the Ag industry and the ISDA field staff who work directly with farmers throughout the state,” he said. “Indiana is quickly becoming a national icon for conservation with local, state, and federal entities all working in partnership toward common environmental stewardship and profitable production goals. The ISDA – DSC will continue to work with landowners to ensure agriculture flourishes and Indiana farmers remain on the cutting edge with conservation technologies to help preserve our valuable resources.”

The ISDA Division of Soil Conservation works to increase agricultural economic benefits by assisting Indiana’s farmers in the application of advanced agronomic technologies while improving upon Indiana’s soil health and water quality.

For more information, contact Robert Ziegler at 317-690-3303 or rziegler@isda.in.gov

ISDA Welcomes New Staff

ISDA Welcomes New Staff

INDIANAPOLIS  – The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) would like to welcome new staff members to ISDA. 

Debra Jimison is the new Resource Specialist in the Pulaski County field office as part of the Division of Soil Conservation team. Before joining ISDA, Jimison worked for Soil and Water Investigation in Elkhart as a soil scientist.  She brings a wealth of experience in storm water management and erosion control to the position.

Jimison is an Indiana native from Elkhart County.  She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from Purdue University in 1985. She lives in Winamac and enjoys travel, camping, canoeing and observing wildlife.

Nick Alles is the new Resource Specialist in the Huntington County field office serving as part of the Division of Soil Conservation team. Alles comes to ISDA after graduating in October 2012 with a degree in Environmental Science from the University of St. Francis. 

Alles is an Indiana native from Huntington County and lives in Huntington with his wife and new baby and enjoys hunting and the outdoors.

####

Images of What We're Thankful For

Photo submitted by Laura Fribley, District Support Specialist

 Photos submitted by Julie Harrold, Resource Specialist Team Leader, CREP Leader

Photo submitted by Nathan Stoelting, District Support Specialist

Photo submitted by Jennifer Pinkston, Assistant to the Division of Soil Conservation

Changes In Our Conservation Team

It's been a busy few months with our ISDA-Division of Soil Conservation Team!

Since April, we saw three of our Resource Specialists take on new roles.

Jordan Seger, who served an RS in the northwestern portion of the state, is our new program manager for Agricultural Affairs. Jordan has a very diverse background in agriculture and natural resources and has been an excellent addition to our central office team! 

Logan Garner is taking on a new role with ISDA moving from his Resource Specialist position for the Tippecanoe Watershed based in Kosciusko County to Program Manager for the ISDA Water Quality Initiatives at the Central Office in Indianapolis.  In this role he will manage the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), as well as play an integral part in developing Indiana’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy. Prior to joining ISDA in 2011, he was a Research Assistant at DOW AgroSciences. 










Geneva Rawlins is our new District Support Specialist covering Northeast Indiana. Geneva previously served as a RS in the central part of the state.  Geneva is an excellent addition to our DSS Team and we are very excited to have her talents serving to build the capacity amongst Soil and Water Conservation Districts. 

In June, ISDA announced Sarah Simpson as Interim Director of the Division of Soil Conversation for the Indiana State Department of Agriculture.  Simpson joined ISDA in 2006, is currently the Director of Agricultural Policy, and will continue to serve in that capacity.
Simpson, who replaces former Soils Director Jerod Chew, will oversee ISDA’s environmental stewardship initiatives and conservation programs such as: direct on-farm technical and financial assistance for conservation practices implementation, supporting Indiana’s 92 Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and conservation promotion.







In July, Jamen Frederick joined ISDA. Jamen is a RS in the southwest portion of the state, and is located in Boonville. Before joining ISDA, Jamen served as a technician for Gibson and Pike County Soil and Water Conservation Districts.  His passion for cover crops, soil health and the On-Farm Network make him a great fit for this position. We are happy to welcome him to our team.
 

Ashley Linville joined ISDA in August as a Resource Specialist in the Johnson County field office as part of the Division of Soil Conservation team. Before joining ISDA, Ashley worked as a Natural Resource Specialist for the Shelby County Soil and Water Conservation District. She is proficient in Highly Erodible Land/Wetland compliance determinations and has assisted with conservation planning efforts for several Farm Bill programs including Conservation Reserve Program, Conservation Stewardship Program and the Environmental Quality Incentive Program. Ashley is an Indiana native from Shelby County. She is a 2006 graduate of Hanover College with a Bachelor’s degree in biology. She lives in Shelbyville on her family’s beef and grain farm. She enjoys working on the family farm, spending time with friends and family and boating.