Heidi Peterson to Lead Sand County Foundation’s Ag Research, Conservation

MADISON, Wis. – Sand County Foundation has named Dr. Heidi M. Peterson its Vice President of Agricultural Research and Conservation.

Peterson joins Sand County Foundation with significant leadership, teaching, and research experience surrounding agricultural conservation and water quality issues. She will lead the Foundation’s agricultural conservation team and set its strategic direction in research, and farmer and rancher engagement.

Sand County Foundation, based in Wisconsin, is a national non-profit working with farmers, ranchers, foresters and other private landowners to improve soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat.

“We’re thrilled that Heidi is joining our growing team. She is a respected scientist and skilled communicator who is ideally suited to lead our agricultural conservation program,” said Kevin McAleese, Sand County Foundation’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

Peterson previously served as the Phosphorus Program Director with the International Plant Nutrition Institute. Prior to that, she worked for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture as its lead technical expert on agricultural best management practices to address impaired waters. She also currently serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor for the Department of Bioproducts & Biosystems Engineering at the University of Minnesota.

Peterson completed her Ph.D. in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul. At Purdue University she received a Master of Science in Agronomy, and a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources and Environmental Science. She is a member of the American Society of Agronomy, American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, and the Soil and Water Conservation Society.

“It is exciting to join the Sand County Foundation team at a time when conservation is so critical to the resiliency of our environment and agricultural systems,” Peterson said.

Peterson and her family reside in Stillwater, Minnesota.