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New Employees

Chad Cochrane

Chad Cochrane:

Chad Cochrane is the new District Conservationist for the Milford field office. Chad grew up in northwestern Pennsylvania near his family’s farm in southwestern New York. Chad earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania. While attending college, Chad interned with the NRCS and used that partnership to complete his senior comprehensive project on the effectiveness of cattle exclusionary fencing on natural stream recovery. This will be Chad’s second time working for the New Hampshire NRCS. From 2004 to 2008, he worked as a Soil Conservation Technician out of the Concord Field Office, assisting with the development of conservation plans, cost estimates, and contracts for the Farm Bill. Before returning to New Hampshire this October, Chad worked for NRCS from 2008 to 2009 in West Chester, Pennsylvania. As District Conservationist, Chad will be overseeing the Milford Field Office operations, conservation planning, and contract administration. Chad’s passion is helping landowners make the best decisions with regard to the conservation and stewardship of their land. During his free time, he enjoys hiking, canoeing and fishing.

 

Johanna Nugent

Johanna Nugent:

Johanna is a new Civil Engineer Technician working out of the Concord field office.  She was born and raised in Michigan and earned a Bachelor of Science from Michigan State University with a concentration in Natural Resources Engineering with a further specialization in Environmental Economics.  She worked for three and a half years as a Civil Engineer, primarily doing Wetland Reserve Program design, in Sault Saint Marie, Michigan under a grant from the NRCS and the Michigan Department of Agriculture administered by the Conservation District.  Her major duties as a Civil Engineer Technician involve design work, construction inspection, and surveying.  Johanna plays tennis, cross-country skis, and is a fencer.  She plays piano and hangs out with her cat, Emma.  She is an avid fan of the Detroit Red Wings and loves to hike and eat Indian food.  She was also the advisor for the Sault Saint Marie High School Environmental Club/Envirothon team and hopes to get involved with the Envirothon in New Hampshire. 


New Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services (ACES) Program Enrollees

James Seidel

James Seidel:

Jamie began working for the NRCS in New Hampshire as an ACES employee in May of this year.  He works out of the Lancaster field office doing conservation planning, construction layout and construction inspection.  He has been a Technician, a Soil Conservationist, a Natural Resources Planning Leader, and a District Conservationist, prior to his retirement. 

Personal thought:  "Everyone has their own field of dreams."

 

 



New Student Conservation Association Interns
 

Amanda Gagnon:

Amanda graduated from the University of Maine at Machias in 2008 with a BS in Environmental Studies and a minor in Fine Arts. Amanda enjoyed Maine, but returned to New Hampshire to be closer to her family. She joined NRCS in late November of 2009 as a Farm Bill Program Assistant Intern in the Concord Field office. She helps the Concord field staff with contract management and field work. Before joining NRCS, Amanda worked as an intern with BAE systems in Merrimack. In 2008, Amanda worked as a farm hand. In her free time, she enjoys golfing, photography, canoeing, cooking, and warm New Hampshire summers.

   
Heather Benedict:

Heather graduated from the University at Buffalo with a BS in Environmental Studies and a BA in Photography in 2008. This November, Heather accepted a year long internship as a Farm Bill Program Assistant Intern. This is her fourth internship with the Student Conservation Association. Heather is working out of the Epping Field Office, helping the field staff with contract management and field work. Heather is very interested in coastal land management. During her previous internships, Heather worked with sea turtles on Cumberland Island, Georgia, sea lions at the Bonneville Dam, Oregon and fire land management in Montana.  Some of her favorite activities include road trips, canoeing, and fixing things.

 

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