Nelson Heider-Kuhn
Longmont,CO
Summary
Experienced Agricultural Outreach Coordinator and Research Director with a strong background in soil health, agroforestry, and sustainable land management. Skilled in designing and implementing research protocols, conducting comprehensive soil assessments, and leading community outreach efforts. Demonstrated ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders, manage multi-year research projects, and secure significant grant funding. Fluent in scientific communication and passionate about promoting regenerative agriculture and soil conservation practices.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Agricultural Outreach Coordinator
Colorado Agrivoltaic Learning Center
04.2024 - Current
- Spearheaded CALC’s Solar Array Lands Supporting Agribusiness program, successfully partnering with 3 frontline farmers and immigrants with opportunities to launch agri-solar farm businesses on solar array lands in 2 different front range counties..
- Developed comprehensive program documentation, including intake forms, program overviews, metric accounting and business resource guidelines, ensuring clear participation steps for 100% of applicants.
- Established partnerships with 10 major organizations in the Front Range, and partnering 2 market channel opportunities.
- Promoted the program at 2 major international conferences, increasing program visibility by 15% and enhancing participant engagement.
Director of Research
Drylands Agroecology Research
01.2024 - Current
- Standardized soil health analysis protocols using NRCS methods, conducting over 100 comprehensive assessments on parameters such as bulk density, soil fertility, infiltration rates, pH, and slake testing across 4 farm research sites
- Led insect biodiversity monitoring, documenting changes related to regenerative management practices, enhancing ecological insights for adaptive strategies.
- Tracked survival rates of over 15,000 trees and shrubs in agroforestry systems with developed monitoring protocols.
- Secured over $250,000 in grants for organization projects.
- Managed educational programs, training 4 apprentices in field research and delivering 5educational series to over 30 participants, fostering knowledge transfer in agroecology.
Agronomic Research Technician
Meagan Schipanski Agroecology Management Laboratory
01.2024 - 05.2024
- Conducted over 500 soil health assessments, analyzing parameters such as pH, aggregate stability, and bulk density, contributing to enhanced understanding of soil dynamics under various conditions.
- Evaluated grassland forage quality using standardized quadrat analysis and SpectraStar XT NIR technology
- Collaborated with Pluton Biosciences on R&D projects involving microbial crusts, managing 100+ samples and enhancing carbon and nitrogen sequestration practices in large-scale monocultures through isotopic spectrometry and VELP analytics
Research Manager
Drylands Agroecology Research
03.2023 - 12.2023
- Developed research methods and protocols for tracking survival rates of 13,000 trees in agroforestry systems, establishing a framework that improved data collection efficiency by 35%.
- Managed a funded grant for a 75-sample/year carbon stock study over 10 years, enhancing the depth of carbon research through systematic monitoring.
- Co-led the Cool Boulder Carbon Research Project, designing experimental procedures for soil and tree collection, resulting in comprehensive data collection and analysis.
- Communicated scientific findings effectively to both general public and academic bodies, enhancing awareness and understanding of agroforestry benefits.
- Oversaw groups of 5-20 citizen scientists and interns, fostering a collaborative research environment and successfully implementing 10+ volunteer research events throughout the season.
Undergraduate Research Technician
Meagan Schipanski Agroecology Management Laboratory
02.2021 - 12.2023
- Agrivoltaics Research:
○ Utilized Li-Cor carbon flux instruments to measure carbon dioxide exchange on 107 sample sites over two seasons.
○ Conducted total organic carbon analysis on 214 soil samples using VELP Elemental Analysis, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of soil carbon stocks.
○ Conducted forage simulation experiments to assess competition between forbs and grasses under solar panels, contributing to agronomic best practices for solar farming.
○ Developed data interpolation and tracking systems for long-term analysis of agrivoltaic systems. - Plant-Mediated Nitrogen Analysis & N2 Cycling:
○ Investigated the relationship between sorghum photosynthetic rates, nutrient cycling, and effects of mycorrhizal inoculation on sorghum by analyzing 400+ soil samples, contributing to valuable findings on plant health.
○ Conducted micro-respiration analysis on 100 soil samples, providing critical data on microbial activity and soil health.
○ Utilized isotopic-ratio mass spectrometry on 300+ samples.
Undergraduate Research Technician
Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory
09.2022 - 10.2023
- Managed and organized 800 soil samples from diverse California locations, enhancing data tracking efficiency by 25% for ongoing research.
- Conducted analytical soil experimentation, including pH and density analysis, , elemental analysis through VELP instruments, fractionation analysis on MAOM & POM, while ensuring compliance with rigorous scientific standards.
- Participated in Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion training, promoting an inclusive laboratory environment for all participants and enhancing team dynamics.
- Utilized statistical techniques in carbon monitoring and sequestration practices with the use of COMET and other greenhouse gas accounting systems.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Soil Conservation
Colorado State University
Fort Collins Colorado12.2023
Skills
- Technical Skills: Soil Health Assessments, Agricultural Consultation, Water Resource Managment, Soil Conservation Research Protocol Development, Statistical Analysis, Grant Writing, Project Management, Soil Fertility Analysis, Insect Biodiversity Monitoring, Findings Presentations
- Software Proficiency: Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Asana, VELP Elemental Analysis, SpectraStar XT NIR Technology, Isotopic Spectrometry Technologies
Certification
Research Management & Leadership Training Certification | August 2023
● Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Training | May 2023
Timeline
Agricultural Outreach Coordinator
Colorado Agrivoltaic Learning Center
04.2024 - Current
Director of Research
Drylands Agroecology Research
01.2024 - Current
Agronomic Research Technician
Meagan Schipanski Agroecology Management Laboratory
01.2024 - 05.2024
Research Manager
Drylands Agroecology Research
03.2023 - 12.2023
Undergraduate Research Technician
Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory
09.2022 - 10.2023
Undergraduate Research Technician
Meagan Schipanski Agroecology Management Laboratory
02.2021 - 12.2023
Bachelor of Science - Soil Conservation
Colorado State University
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