National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Illinois Farmer Views and Uses of CMS Data

About the Talk During this talk, Lauren Lurkins will provide background on the Illinois Farm Bureau and the almost 80,000 Illinois farmers that comprise its membership. Ms. Lurkins will also provide a detailed view of IFB’s views on climate data and policy, as well as insight into the environmental efforts within the organization. Finally, Ms. Lurkins will review IFB’s role as a primary stakeholder in the CMS project entitled "Improving the monitoring capability of carbon budget for the US Corn Belt – Integrating multi-source satellite data with improved land surface modeling and atmospheric inversions."

About the Speaker Lauren Lurkins serves as the Director of Environmental Policy in the Governmental Affairs and Commodities Division and has held that position since May 2013. In that position, Lauren is responsible for advocating on behalf of the organization in the promulgation, implementation and enforcement of environmental regulation impacting Illinois agriculture. Lauren maintains liaison with various state and federal agencies, and develops and coordinates the organization’s environmental programs, communications and information. Beginning in 2006, Lauren practiced environmental law with the law firm of Hodge Dwyer & Driver in Springfield, IL. Her previous experience includes both enforcement defense and legislative/regulatory work in all areas of environmental law on behalf of a variety of clients, including agricultural businesses and individual farmers. Lauren holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from Saint Louis University and earned her law degree from Southern Illinois University School of Law, with a focus on environmental law. Lauren and her husband, Matt, have one daughter, Caroline and one son, Julian. They live in Bloomington, IL.

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