Sand County Foundation Adds Katie Ziemer as Soil Conservationist
December 19, 2018
Katie Ziemer has joined Sand County Foundation as a soil conservationist in southeast Wisconsin.
Ziemer, who begins her duties December 21, will assist farmers with writing and implementing conservation plans to achieve water quality and soil health improvements.
Sand County Foundation, based in Madison, is the nation’s leading voice for conservation on working lands. The non-profit conservation group works with farmers, ranchers, foresters and other private landowners to improve soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat.
Ziemer’s work in the Milwaukee River watershed will facilitate Sand County Foundation’s collaborative efforts with the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
“Katie’s strong agricultural background and working knowledge of federal programs that assist farmers in meeting conservation goals makes her uniquely qualified for this role,” said Greg Olson, Sand County Foundation’s Field Projects Director.
Ziemer will work from the USDA’s service center in West Bend. She previously worked as a program technician for the USDA’s Farm Service Agency, administering federal farm programs with Ozaukee and Washington County farmers.
“I’m excited to join the Sand County Foundation team to help others protect our land and water resources,” said Ziemer, who grew up on her family’s dairy farm near Rubicon, Wisconsin.
Ziemer (formerly Martin) earned dual-degrees in soil and crop science, and environmental horticulture at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. She is a member of the Hartford FFA Alumni and Washington County Farm Bureau. She received the American FFA Degree in 2013. She lives in Cedarburg with her husband, Paul.