Glacierland Resource Conservation and Development Council - American Farmland Trust

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Glacierland Resource Conservation and Development Council

Great Lakes Farm Navigator
Biography

Glacierland Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc. is a nonprofit, grass-roots organization that is committed to wise use and conservation of natural and human resources. They promote environmental, social, and economic sustainability by coordinating agencies, organization, and people to work on projects that address sustainability in northeast Wisconsin. They work with farmers on management practices and soil conservation, along with business planning. Staff help farmers navigate federal cost saving programs and provide other grant writing services. Beyond farms, they work with landowners to develop well managed forests to build a healthy ecosystem regionally.

Kirsten Jurcek

Glacierland Resource Conservation and Development Council is represented by Kirsten Jurcek (she/her). 

Kirsten Jurcek has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. She has broad experience in environmental sciences, regenerative agricultural production and public education. Kirsten worked as a hydrologist; then was the sole proprietor of an organic feed mill; and currently manages her family’s farm and is a Resource Conservationist for Glacierland RC&D. She raised her family on their rotational grazing farm and loves spending time outdoors with her family and enjoying wonderful food together. In her conservation work, Kirsten has vast on-farm conservation planning and educational outreach experience. She serves on the boards of GrassWorks, The Rock River Coalition and the Food Animal Concern Trust.

 

Learn more about Glacierland Resource Conservation and Development Council

Glacierland Resource Conservation and Development Council is a participating Navigator organization in Protecting the Great Lakes Through a Farm Navigator Network project.

Great Lakes Farm Navigator Spotlight: Kirsten Jurcek

Name, Pronouns: Kirsten Jurcek, She/Hers

Organization: Glacierland RC&D

Title: Resource Conservationist

Where in the Great Lakes region do you work?

I work in Eastern Wisconsin.

What brought you to this work? What is your connection to agriculture or to the watershed?

Upon graduating college many years ago, I worked as a hydrogeologist cleaning up contaminated water from industrial sources.  Once the “pipes were plugged” it became obvious that contaminants were coming from agricultural sources. Wanting to do my part to clean up water I became a farmer and started practicing rotational grazing; keeping the ground covered and a living root in the ground year round, thereby protecting water quality.

What is your area of expertise? In what ways do you typically work with farmers and farmland owners?

I worked closely with my local NRCS office to establish and maintain conservation practices on our family farm so I’m very familiar with programs available to farmers and how to effectively implement them.  I’m a Technical Service Provider (TSP) to NRCS and write grazing plans for farmers which may make them eligible for NRCS EQIP Cost share to implement rotational grazing on their farms.

We worked closely with the Drumlin Area Land Trust for several years to place a conservation easement on our farm. I enjoy sharing that experience and welcome heartfelt family conversations with others.

How are you hoping to grow from your experience as a Great Lakes Farm Navigator?

As a Great Lakes Farm Navigator I get to participate in many wonderful discussions with others that have much experience creating positive change on the landscape. I always learn from the AFT resources and discussions.

What is one piece of advice you have for farmers who are looking to transfer their farm to a new generation? Or do you have advice for farmers entering agriculture and seeking access to land?

Positive change takes time. A well thought out plan with input from everyone involved is important. Patience and acceptance of others’ ideas, experience and knowledge is crucial. Meeting with other people who’ve been through a similar process can be very helpful.