New Midwest Climate Hub Coordinator will support Hub projects and facilitate partnerships.
The USDA Midwest Climate Hub welcomed Laurie Nowatzke as its new coordinator in October. In this role, Laurie will assist in developing and maintaining the Hub’s key partnerships with regional agencies, universities, research entities, and stakeholders to help further the region’s work in addressing agricultural climate challenges. In addition, Laurie will work to communicate current climate science and develop tools and resources on climate-smart strategies.
Prior to joining the Midwest Climate Hub, Laurie was at Iowa State University as the measurement coordinator for the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. She holds a master’s degree in environmental policy from Boston University and is working towards a doctorate in rural sociology at Iowa State University.
The USDA Climate Hubs aim to develop and deliver science-based, region-specific information and technologies to agricultural and natural resource managers that enable climate-informed decision-making, and to provide access to assistance to implement those decisions. The Midwest hub serves eight states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin.