NRCS Staff
The Yolo County Resource Conservation District and the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service’s Woodland Service Center share an office space and often partner together to provide technical assistance and project funding to implement conservation practices on the working lands of Yolo County. NRCS staff can provide additional resources, technical assistance, and access to cost-share funding beyond the scope of services offered at the Yolo County Resource Conservation District. Learn more about NRCS staff and their specialties below.
To reach NRCS staff, call the Woodland Field Office at 530-662-2037.
Brandi Murphy, District Conservationist, Woodland Service Center
Brandi is the District Conservationist in the Woodland Field Office. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Science, with a minor in Business Administration, and a Master of Science degree in Environmental Sciences as an interdisciplinary program with a thesis on utilizing biochar as a soil amendment to improve the yield of above-ground biomass, at The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). Brandi works primarily on cropland but enjoys developing her competencies by working with her team on all land uses to address the various resource concerns.
Nick Gallagher, Rangeland Management Specialist, Woodland Service Center
Nick has a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture with an emphasis on Wildland and Range Science from California State University, Chico. He started his career as a Rangeland Management Specialist at the Woodland Field Office in 2005.
He works with private landowners to develop conservation plans on farms and ranches that involve livestock operations. He works on irrigated pasture as well as upland rangeland in Yolo County.
Nick is a Certified Conservation Planner and has extensive experience writing prescribed grazing plans, habitat restoration plans, and conservation plans.
Sara Lipschutz, Soil Conservationist, Woodland Service Center
Sara earned a bachelor’s degree in Ecological Management and Restoration with a minor in Soil Science from the University of California, Davis. She joined the Woodland Field Office as a Soil Conservationist in 2021. Sara is a Certified Conservation Planner with experience helping farming operations across Yolo County. She works with farmers to build conservation plans and implement practices like whole orchard/vineyard recycling, cover cropping, compost, irrigation and irrigation water management, wildlife plantings, and pest management.
(530) 902-7282 (cell)