St. Croix River Watershed

Dr. Chris Jones retired in 2023 from the University of Iowa where he worked as a research engineer, studying contaminant hydrology in agricultural landscapes. Prior to that he worked for the Des Moines Water Works and the Iowa Soybean Association. He has a PhD in analytical chemistry from Montana State University and a BA in Chemistry and Biology from Simpson College in Indianola. Chris has published 60 scientific journal articles, four book chapters, several magazine articles, and is the author of The Swine Republic, Struggles With the Truth About Agriculture and Water Quality. The book was selected by the Library of Congress as Iowa's representative in the 2024 National Book Festival. He also blogs at riverraccoon.substack.com. He lives in Iowa City, mostly. 

Dr. Steve Oberle is an experienced philosopher, ecologist, farmer, conservationist, gardener, educator, consultant, writer, scientist among others with a demonstrated history of working in public services, academia, and consulting. He has demonstrated leadership in land and water policy and program development, environmental analysis/review, working with the public, citizens/community groups, tribes and local unites of government. He has a Ph.D., M.A,. and M.S. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a B.S (Cum Laude)from the University of Maryland-College Park.

Sonja Trom Eayrs is a farmer’s daughter, rural advocate, and attorney. She is also the author of Dodge County, Incorporated: Big Ag and the Undoing of Rural America (University of Nebraska Press, Nov. 2024). The book was the recipient of the 2025 Midwest Book Awards, Nonfiction category, and also a finalist for the 2025 Minnesota Book Awards. Trom Eayrs is involved in several rural advocacy organizations, including the Socially Responsible Agriculture Project, Farm Action, Land Stewardship Project, and Dodge County Concerned Citizens. Trom Eayrs also serves as the business manager for the Trom family farm in Dodge County, Minnesota. For more information about the author, visit sonjatromeayrs.com. 

Jaime is the Local Food Coordinator at the St. Croix Valley Food Alliance. A humanitarian at heart, Jaime is grateful for the opportunity to support the well-being of local farmers. Throughout her career, she has worked at the intersection of local food, the natural world and communications. With a degree in graphic design and certificates in permaculture, herbalism, and trauma-informed yoga, she brings a holistic perspective to her work. When she’s not working, you’ll often find her on the trails of the St. Croix Valley with her two huskies, Cedar and Louie. 

Mary Anne is one of our speakers in the last panel on "Who is doing things differently" and she is a town resident in Maiden Rock who worked with the town board to enact Operational Ordinances to protect public health and safety as well as property values in light of Ridge Breeze getting preliminary approval from DNR to expand their herd up to 6,500 dairy cows.

Tim is currently the County Conservationist for St. Croix County. He has worked in agronomy and water quality protection for almost 40 years in positions with Oregon State University, University of Idaho, in the private sector, and directing county conservation programs. 

Tara Greiman is the Wisconsin Farmers Union Director of Conservation and Stewardship. In this role, she connects the many conservation-focused projects of the WFU to help promote win-win scenarios that benefit farmers, our food system, and our environment. These projects include grassroots efforts of WFU membership committees focused on natural resources, partnering with staff projects to serve our watershed program, rural energy systems, and enhancing the connection between healthy local food systems, communities, and the environment. Tara grew up raising livestock including horses, sheep, alpaca, and cattle. She has a degree from the University of Minnesota Morris in environmental studies and psychology. She lives in Pierce County Wisconsin.