Our staff powers our mission and vision in amazing ways. We would not accomplish anything without their energy, dedication, and love of ecosystems and farmers. Learn more about the people behind our organization.
Program Director
Elli Blaine
Indianapolis, IASWCD Office Southwest Central coverage for field work (see below)eliana-blaine@INsmallfarms.orgElli works with a team of enthusiastic and dedicated staff and a range of farmers and partners to improve soil health throughout the state.
Small Farm Conservationists
Use the tool below to find the Small Farm Conservationist who covers your county and get in touch with questions, inquire about site visits or soil tests, learn about Farm Bill programs, and see about upcoming events.
Find Your County
Adams County
Allen County
Bartholomew County
Benton County
Blackford County
Boone County
Brown County
Carroll County
Clark County
Clay County
Clinton County
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Daviess County
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Grant County
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Hamilton County
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Henry County
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Union County
Vanderburgh County
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Vigo County
Wabash County
Warren County
Warrick County
Washington County
Wayne County
Wells County
White County
Whitley County
NORTH Small Farm Conservationist
Tanvi Lad
Lafayette, NRCS Area Officetanvi-lad@INsmallfarms.orgTanvi advocates for conservation and builds creative partnerships. She has experience with compost projects, community engagement, and restoration ecology.
SOUTH Small Farm Conservationist
Megan Ayers
North Vernon, NRCS Area Officemegan-ayers@INsmallfarms.orgMegan has a background in education and is a self-taught farmer committed to stewardship of soil and wildlife on her farm in Southeast Indiana.
Southwest Central
Elli Blaine
Southwest Central coverage eliana-blaine@INsmallfarms.orgIn addition to her Director responsibilities, Elli covers 12 counties in the Southwest Central part of the state: Vermillion, Parke, Putnam, Vigo, Clay, Owen, Sullivan, Greene, Knox, Daviess, Martin. She didn’t want to miss out on the fun!
Northeast Great Lakes Watershed – 7 Counties
Michael Ryan
Southwest Central coverage mryan.swcd@gmail.comMichael is excited to broaden his work to conservation practices and soil health in service of small-scale farms in this new role via Allen County SWCD. He covers 7 Counties in Northeast Indiana: Elkhart, LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, DeKalb, Allen, and Adams
Michael is a graduate of Colorado State University in Soil and Crop with a concentration in Environmental Solutions. Michael has been working broadly in irrigation for a CSU Salinity Project and Soil Survey (NRCS/USDA funded) since graduation, and is a helicopter crewman (US Navy) where he served in air rescues, as instructor, and with operations.