ISDA names new soil conservation director
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The Indiana State Department of Agriculture has appointed Jennifer Thum director of its Soil Conservation Division. Thum has been with the department for more than a decade and most recently served as deputy soil conservation director.
The ISDA credits Thum with helping secure more than $50 million in funding for soil conservation projects throughout the state. She also oversaw the Western Lake Erie Basin Regional Conservation Partnership Program and Kankakee Regional Conservation Partnership Program during her tenure.
“Jennifer has been a tremendous team player for over the past decade,” ISDA Director Don Lamb said in a news release. “She has transformed the Western Lake Erie Basin group, secured funding in the millions of dollars and led her staff with tenacity. We are so excited to promote her to role of director and we know she will go above and beyond for farmers, landowners and her staff.”
In her new role, the department said Thum will continue to work with stakeholders in all 92 Indiana soil and water conservation districts. She will also serve as secretary of the State Soil Conservation Board.
“Over the past several years, I have been very fortunate to work with Indiana’s incredible agriculture industry, from the commodity groups to the non-for-profits and our 92 SWCDs, and our neighboring states on several projects,” said Thum. “I am looking forward to continuing to work hand-in-hand with our partners across the state to enhance soil health and water quality.”
A resident of Fort Wayne, Thum is a graduate of Oakland Community College and Eastern Michigan University and earned her MBA from Northern Michigan University.