Rachel Lursen
Cedar Falls,IA
Summary
Diligent worker, adaptive learner, and plant enthusiast with two years of greenhouse experience, biology research experience, and a four-year degree in Biology expected in May 2025. I am seeking a position as a summer agroecology intern at Mustard Seed Community Farm with eagerness to contribute my versatile greenhouse experience, dependable work ethic, and love of the natural world to a service-based group that strives to be socially and ecologically conscious.
Overview
2
2
years of professional experience
Work History
Greenhouse Technical Assistant
UNI Botanical Center
05.2023 - 05.2025
- Maintained tidiness of the campus greenhouses, head house, and other campus garden beds and trails (included pruning/digging up plants, repotting/transplanting, propagation, weekly fertilizing, weeding, cleaning tools, disposing of plant waste, mulching garden beds, organizing/labeling plants for displays, washing greenhouse windows)
- Watered all greenhouses twice daily, including on individually assigned weekends
- Prepared large quantities of soil according to greenhouse recipes
- Provided daily food/water to greenhouse pets; maintained cleanliness of animal perches, cages, and ponds
- Reported any changes/concerns about plants, organization of displays, and conditions of garden beds/trails to management
- Led tours for the public by providing helpful, engaging information about the Botanical Center and plant collection
- Assisted with preparation for greenhouse events including an annual plant sale, club/organization activities, and UNI family week
Summer Undergraduate Research Student
UNI Tallgrass Prairie Center
05.2024 - 07.2024
- Conducted a prairie restoration research project with professor supervision that compared the effects of time of planting and seed mix design in Conservation Reserve Program plantings (included surveying floral resources, data quantification and summarization, and generating figures)
- Learned identification of native prairie plants and characteristics of remnant prairies
- Produced and presented a co-authored scientific poster that summarized the results and significance of the research project
- Assisted with field surveys of various prairie plantings in Iowa
- Maintained laboratory and field equipment and supplies inventory
- Collected and assisted with processing of native plant seed
- Assisted with Tallgrass Prairie Center events including community engagement at the TPC Open House and transplanting at Irvine Prairie
Student Custodian
University of Northern Iowa Housing & Dining
08.2023 - 05.2024
- Improved efficiency of custodial team by communicating effectively with supervisors and coworkers
- Enhanced cleanliness of living facilities by performing daily custodial tasks such as sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, cleaning windows/surfaces, and removing trash
- Moved/dismantled furniture for cleaning and set up for showing events in the dorms
- Routinely reorganized stock rooms and closets on all floors of the living facilities
- Maintained tidiness of dorm laundry room including washing and folding custodial laundry, wiping out machines, and cleaning surfaces/floors
Volunteer
Polk County Conservation
05.2023 - 05.2023
- Worked as a team to identify and remove invasive plant species from public woodland areas to enhance habitat quality
- Used various gardening/landscaping tools to cut down woody invasive species (while avoiding poison ivy)
- Collected invasive plant waste as animal food for the Blank Park Zoo
- Promoted local conservation by partaking in proactive volunteer events
Education
Some College (No Degree) -
North Iowa Area Community College
Mason City, IABachelor of Arts - Biology: Ecology, Evolution, & Organismal Biology
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA05-2025
Skills
- Plant care and identification
- Greenhouse/garden maintenance
- Horticultural skills
- Customer/student assistance
- Strong work ethic
- Organizational skills
- Effective communication
- Adaptability and flexibility
Timeline
Summer Undergraduate Research Student
UNI Tallgrass Prairie Center
05.2024 - 07.2024
Student Custodian
University of Northern Iowa Housing & Dining
08.2023 - 05.2024
Greenhouse Technical Assistant
UNI Botanical Center
05.2023 - 05.2025
Volunteer
Polk County Conservation
05.2023 - 05.2023
Some College (No Degree) -
North Iowa Area Community College
Bachelor of Arts - Biology: Ecology, Evolution, & Organismal Biology
University of Northern Iowa
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