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Katie Sonner: Conservation Technical Assistant

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
[email protected] |  231-889-9666

Katie’s love for nature took root early, nurtured by inspiring science teachers and countless
summer days exploring the outdoors with her grandmother. She earned her B.S. in Biology with
a minor in Environmental Studies and Sustainability from Western Michigan University,
choosing a path where curiosity and the wild intertwine. At the BCD, Katie brings this passion to
life by providing technical assistance and guiding landowners through Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) cost-share programs. These Farm Bill-funded programs offer
landowners reimbursements to address resource concerns. Her favorite part of the job is
connecting with the community—whether it’s a forest owner nurturing wildlife habitat, a brave
new farmer taking the leap, or a bicentennial ag producer weaving sustainability into tradition.

With roots in environmental quality control, small-scale farming, and instilling a love of nature
in youth as a naturalist, Katie has found a warm and welcoming community in Northwest
Michigan. When she’s not working, you might find her drifting along quiet rivers, casting lines
into shimmering lakes, camping beneath starry skies, enjoying live music, or roaming wild
places with her loyal dog Remington.