Karen Thurlow | District Administrator 
Born and raised in Midland county, Karen has been a business manager for over 40 years. A farmer and a beekeeper,  Karen is passionate about conservation practices and youth education for conservation and agriculture. She is certified in environmental education programs, Project Learning Tree (American Forest Foundation) and Project Wild (Michigan Department of Natural Resources). Karen is currently on the Coleman Agriscience Advisory Board and Land Lab Planning Committee, and volunteers at Midland County Television and Dahlia Hill. 
Email: midlandconservation@macd.org 

John Roberts | Farm Bill Specialist 
John serves residents of both Midland and Bay Counties through the Farm Bill Program. He has a Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Northwood University. He has also worked as an inventory arborist, outdoor environmental education facilitator, and as a leadership training coordinator. 
Email: john.roberts2@usda.gov



Angela Dietrich | Technical Assistant 
Angela has lived in Michigan her entire life and was involved in 4-H for 10 years. She graduated from Southern New Hampshire University with a Bachelor's of Science in Environmental Science with a concentration in Conservation and Natural Resources. Angela's passion in life is the environment, especially the conservation of the environment and the natural systems with in it. She is excited to have the opportunity to work with the community in Midland County to do what she can to help preserve and conserve the environment and natural resources within it for the future generations.

Benjamin VanDyke | Technical Assistant 
Benjamin graduated from Cornerstone University with a Bachelor's of Science in Environmental Biology. Benjamin enjoys working with people to understand, appreciate and preserve the land, and has worked in a educational roles for a variety  of organizations; most recently, he served as the Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area coordinator for Charlevoix, Antrim, Kalkaska and Emmet counties in Northern MI. Benjamin enjoys working with local landowners to meet their needs and to protect wildlife habitat.