Erika Blakemore
Alto,U.S.
Summary
To provide strong leadership skills to assist in field staff operations and conservation delivery efforts. Expert conservationist and contract management professional with skills in natural resource protection and conservation. Highly adept in devising plans to conserve soil and other resources, monitoring field work for adherence to procedures and laws and evaluating project progress and success. Accomplished in meeting goals in established timeframes through communication with teammates and by solving problems independently. Driven to propose plans and implement activities in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
District Conservationist
Natural Resources Conservation Service
05.2020 - Current
- Effectively communicate with landowners during planning stages and throughout conservation projects to assist with related water, agricultural, and/or animal issues
- Prioritize retaining awareness of new and existing environmental regulations, contracts, and organization protocols to maintain compliance
- Maximize natural resource conservation outcomes by advising landowners of financial and technical assistance programs that will reinforce conservation through practices that are implemented, if done correctly and to agency specifications
- Planned and implemented conservation projects by investigating sites, providing documentation, designing detailed plans, and preparing reports
- Monitor sites to track progress with plans and assess user conformance with specifications
- Implement soil and/or water management techniques, such as: nutrient management, grazing management plans, and/or erosion control, in accordance with conservation plans
- Participate on work teams to plan, develop, or implement programs or policies that can improve environmental habitats, wetlands/groundwater, and/or soil resources
- Consult with land users about current problems, proposed plans, and optimal conservation strategies
- Provide technical guidance to all landowners and decision-makers by developing insightful natural resource reports with detailed technical information through Conservation Plans and Record of Decisions
- Devise comprehensive plans that will help resolve natural resource issues and maintain responsible land use by coordinating with property owners to drive conservation efforts
- Engineered and administered eleven (11) successful conservation projects
- Secured $396,454.00 in funding for conservation planning and operations by organizing fundraisers in Fiscal Year 2023
- Communicate and share general information and explained issues related to natural resource conservation
- Initiate partnerships with local organizations, fostering community involvement in conservation efforts
- Evaluate effectiveness of proposed conservation projects using data analysis tools, optimizing project outcomes
- Monitor sites to track progress with plans and assess user conformance with specifications
- Analyze conservation plans and evaluated projects to verify quality of performance and achievement of objectives
- Gather data from GIS applications and databases to optimize land use plans
- Plan and implement conservation outreach through various media outreach programs and presentations to engage and inform general public
- Prioritize retaining awareness of new and existing environmental regulations, contracts and organization protocols to maintain compliance
District Conservationist (Acting)
Natural Resources Conservation Service
03.2022 - 07.2022
- Directed and led Farm Bill Programs activities and managed field office workload
- This included developing and servicing conservation program contracts and providing technical assistance to Nemaha County Conservation District State Water Resource Cost-Share Program
- Was responsible for supervision of two employees (District Soil Conservationist and Biologist with Pheasant Forever) ensuring that adequate training was within federal guidelines and productively conducted in Nemaha County USDA Field Office
- Managed specific Farm Bill Programs listed: EQIP, CSP, CRP, ACEP, WRP agreements
- Was responsible for accepting, planning, ranking, and managing, applications/agreements for each listed program
- Nemaha County had 214 current EQIP applications
- While acting, there had been 5 funded applicants: Animal Waste Facility, National Water Quality Incentive (NWQI), and three Beginning Farmers (all Terraces and critical area planting)
- Approved 4 payments on 4 individual contracts, completed 56 contract reviews, and 28 compliance reviews
- Completed 6 modifications on contracts during time as Designated Conservationist for Nemaha County
- Assisted with 1 CSP cost-share application that Nemaha County had been privileged to have, where applicant had roughly 2,000 acres, with 1 resource concern, which ultimately deemed applicant ineligible.
- Prepared complex conservation or resource management plans with financial or implementation assistance
- Communicated and shared general information and explained issues related to natural resource conservation
- Communicated and shared technical information and explained issues related to natural resource conservation, problems and solutions
- Streamlined district operations by conducting regular evaluations of conservation programs and practices
- Initiated partnerships with local organizations, fostering community involvement in conservation efforts
Elementary Teacher, Pre-Kindergarten
Rusk Independent School District
08.2018 - 08.2020
- I developed and implemented weekly lesson plans that fulfilled the requirements of the district’s curriculum program and showed required written evidence of preparation, by utilizing my general knowledge of curriculum and instruction
- I participated in workshops to strengthen my knowledge as an educator and for professional growth
- I maintained knowledge of school curricula, standards, and policies to correctly prepare students for higher grade levels
- I utilized guided instruction to assist with small group instruction that targeted at-risk students that needed more instruction in specific lessons and skills
- I emphasized on strong communication and interpersonal skills and utilized my skill to connect with my parents and students to understand the socio-economical struggles to assist in their educational growth
- I utilized learning stations to incorporate colors, shapes, and textures to help students develop communication skills and build relationships
- I scheduled and directed field trips with my partner teachers that would provide hands-on activities to foster student learning and creativity, as well as give them kinesthetic, visual, and emotional connection to what is being taught.
- Developed and implemented discipline strategies to maintain classroom order
- Maintained student portfolios to monitor learning progress and completion of work required for promotion to next grade level
- Evaluated student progress regularly through formative assessments, adjusting teaching strategies as needed for improved outcomes
- Increased overall student achievement by utilizing differentiated instructional methods tailored to individual learning styles
- Incorporated multicultural perspectives into lesson plans, promoting diversity awareness among students
- Provided one-on-one support for students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework
- Taught lessons encompassing skill-building activities in speaking, writing, reading and listening
- Provided regular feedback to students on progress and assigned grades based on performance
- Retained student interest and maximized receptive learning
Elementary Teacher, Third Grade
Palestine Independent School District
08.2017 - 08.2018
- I developed and implemented weekly lesson plans that fulfilled the requirements of the district’s curriculum program and showed required written evidence of preparation, by utilizing my general knowledge of curriculum and instruction, and successfully prepared my students for state mandated tests
- I also prepared and administered grade-specific tests and examinations regulated by school district to monitor students' growth and to report progress to parents
- Helped students develop self-esteem and life skills by fostering healthy conflict-resolution, critical thinking, and communication
- I participated in workshops to strengthen my knowledge as an educator and for professional growth
- I maintained knowledge of school curricula, standards, and policies to correctly prepare students for higher grade levels
- I met with parents to review Individualized Education Plans for at-risk students
- I utilized guided instruction to assist with small group instruction that targeted those at-risk students that needed more instruction in specific lessons and skills and used that instruction to focus the structure of those learning skills on stronger lessons that can increase and maximize their knowledge and retention levels.
- Built positive relationships with parents to involve families in educational process
- Communicated student progress, academic difficulties, or behavioral concerns to parents, guardians and administration using tact and professionalism to improve student academic performance
- Prepared materials for lessons, assignments, and assessments, and evaluated, corrected and graded student performance to identify gaps in skills or knowledge and set realistic goals
- Worked one-on-one with students to determine strengths, weaknesses, and learning patterns
- Drove student learning by establishing clear classroom plans and group objectives, as well as actionable strategies to achieve each goal
- Maintained student portfolios to monitor learning progress and completion of work required for promotion to next grade level
- Increased overall student achievement by utilizing differentiated instructional methods tailored to individual learning styles
- Led extracurricular activities such as after-school tutoring programs, enhancing student success beyond the classroom setting
- Implemented behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students
- Provided one-on-one support for students with learning disabilities, enabling them to excel in their coursework
Broiler Service Technician I
JBC Enterprises, LLC- Pilgrim’s Pride
03.2015 - 06.2016
- I was privileged to assist poultry growers with their farms, by providing them with direct support that enhanced their farms and maximized their bird’s performance and farm’s goals
- I performed routine visits to fourteen (14) poultry farms in which I oversaw on a regular basis
- I worked with poultry growers daily, planning, and implementing safe and effective welfare plans for their poultry farms
- I worked as a liaison between the grower and the company, so I was on-call twenty-four (24) hours a day in case an emergency arose
- I educated animal owners regarding feeding, general care, medical conditions, and treatment options
- I worked with non-traditional and traditional customers to implement their plans that would produce successful outcomes on their properties and meet the necessary objectives that were critical to the animal’s health and welfare
- I Developed plans to help animals reach and maintain their optimal weight
- I worked closely with my coworkers to improve practices, techniques, and safety choices, which optimized our performance as a team, and helped minimize loss of birds
- I examined the animals to determine the nature of disease and injuries daily, for the first seven (7) days, and week thereafter
- I Performed routine diagnostic tests on approximately 120,000 birds per farm, each day
- I Euthanized sick and injured animals, when appropriate
- When deemed necessary, I provided the poultry grower with the necessary steps of how to cull their birds, if their flock reached a certain mortality percentage
- We closely monitored these numbers to maximize our grower’s average percentage weights, catch schedules, as well as their pay outs.
- Inspected equipment to diagnose operational issues
- Adhered to safety protocols and policies to reduce workplace hazards
- Evaluated systems according to predetermined checklist and noted issues
- Provided technical support and maintenance services for range of computer hardware and software
Soil Conservationist
Natural Resources Conservation Service
06.2011 - 03.2015
- Worked with farmers and ranchers daily, planning and developing Conservation Plans on the following land uses: Cropland, Forestland, Pastureland, Hay, and Rangeland that addressed the following resource concerns such as: soil, water, air, plants, and animals
- Worked with non- traditional and traditional customers to implement their plans that would produce successful outcomes on their properties, and meet the objectives mentioned
- Adhered to the National Planning Procedure Handbook to improve the concerns of the operators and their natural resource concerns
- Assisted the District Conservationist and Lead Soil Conservationist in meeting the needs of our clients by preparing and assisting landowners and/or operators in a long-term program consistent with approved conservation practices to promote the conservation and development of soil, water, recreation, and community resources
- Assisted with the surveying for drainage areas and land slope and was exposed to GIS mapping, and prepared land use feasibility determinations
- Followed protocol to establish realistic goals for professional growth by challenging myself through AgLearn, on-the-job training, and assessments from superiors and coworkers
- Communicated effectively with my superiors and coworkers by using Microsoft Outlook to organize, task and prioritize workload, to ensure timely responses to internal/external inquires and program deadlines
- Effectively communicate with landowners during planning stages and throughout conservation projects to assist with related water, agricultural, and/or animal issues
- Prioritize retaining awareness of new and existing environmental regulations, contracts, and organization protocols to maintain compliance
- Planned and implemented conservation projects by investigating sites, providing documentation, designing detailed plans, and preparing reports
- Monitored sites to track progress with plans and assess user conformance with specifications
- Implemented soil and/or water management techniques, such as: nutrient management, grazing management plans, and/or erosion control, in accordance with conservation plans
- Participated on work teams to plan, develop, or implement programs or policies that can improve environmental habitats, wetlands/groundwater, and/or soil resources
- Consulted with land users about current problems, proposed plans, and optimal conservation strategies
- Provided technical guidance to all landowners and decision-makers by developing insightful natural resource reports with detailed technical information through Conservation Plans and Record of Decisions
- Devised comprehensive plans that will help resolve natural resource issues and maintain responsible land use by coordinating with property owners to drive conservation efforts.
- Gathered information and developed drawings using map creation and analytical software.
- Used technical knowledge to optimize wetland restoration easements and other proposed plans.
- Planned and implemented conservation outreach through news media and presentations to engage and inform general public.
- Devised comprehensive plans to resolve natural resource issues and maintain responsible land use by coordinating with property owners to drive conservation efforts.
- Devised and executed investigations into land usage to strengthen knowledgebase and conservation plans.
Education
Master of Science - Agriculture
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, Colorado12.2025
Alternative EC-6th Grade Core Content Teaching Certification, ESL Early Childhood Education-6th Grade Core Subjects -
Web Centric Alternative Certification Teacher Program, ETools4Education-Online
ETools4Education-Online02.2017
Bachelor of Science - Agronomy And Crop Science
Prairie View A&M University
Prairie View, TX12.2013
Skills
- Certified Planner Certificate
- Conservation Desktop/CART Experienced User
- Efficient with ArcGIS
- Microsoft Software and TEAMS Experienced User
- ProTracts, Conservation Desktop, Document Management System (DMS) Experienced User
- Project management
- Conservation easement negotiation
- Regulatory compliance
- Conservation program implementation
- Vendor Management
- Team Leadership
- Contract Negotiation
- Documentation and Recordkeeping
- Policy and Procedure Modification
Affiliations
- Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS)
- Texas NOPBNRCSE
Personal Information
Citizenship: U.S. Citizen
Timeline
District Conservationist (Acting)
Natural Resources Conservation Service
03.2022 - 07.2022
District Conservationist
Natural Resources Conservation Service
05.2020 - Current
Elementary Teacher, Pre-Kindergarten
Rusk Independent School District
08.2018 - 08.2020
Elementary Teacher, Third Grade
Palestine Independent School District
08.2017 - 08.2018
Broiler Service Technician I
JBC Enterprises, LLC- Pilgrim’s Pride
03.2015 - 06.2016
Soil Conservationist
Natural Resources Conservation Service
06.2011 - 03.2015
Master of Science - Agriculture
Colorado State University
Alternative EC-6th Grade Core Content Teaching Certification, ESL Early Childhood Education-6th Grade Core Subjects -
Web Centric Alternative Certification Teacher Program, ETools4Education-Online
Bachelor of Science - Agronomy And Crop Science
Prairie View A&M University
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