Rusty has worked with the USDA for 21 years, serving Giles County for the past 17 of those years. He has worked throughout Middle and East Tennessee, including two years with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. He received a B.S. Degree in Agricultural Natural Resources Management from Tennessee Tech University in 1984, is a Certified Conservation Planner, certified in Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning, Certified Commercial Applicator Category 10 and has obtained Certified Crop Advisor from the American Society of Agronomist.

Kris is certified in Wildlife/Forestry Conservation and currently pursuing an A.S. in Biology and Internet Technology. He started as a volunteer for the SCD in January of 2006 and worked as a full-time Technician for three years. Kris is now working on a part-time status for the District and is responsible for the 319 program and searches for other grant possibilities to be utilized in our county.

Chip has been employed with the district since March of 2008. He has been a resident of Giles County all his life; with the exception of the time he spent in Martin, TN where he received a B.S. degree in Natural Resources Management with a concentration in Wildlife Biology from the University of Tennessee at Martin. He currently handles the Tennessee Department of Agriculture ARCF program dollars, Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program, Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) plan writing, assist with Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP), and Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP).

Carla has been employed with the district since January of 2007.  She was born in Giles County and moved away with her husband as he served 20 years in the United States Navy.  Carla and Robert returned to Giles County in 2003.  She holds a bachelors degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Human Resource Development and Management.  Carla’s responsibilities are: assisting walk-in customers, financial management, event planning, meeting coordinator, annual reporting, developing crop conservation plans, and day to day office duties.

Tanner began working part-time for the SCD in March of 2008. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture at the University of Tennessee at Martin.  His main responsibility is assisting with the planning of the 319 program.  Tanner also assists with WHIP and EQIP.  He was raised in Ethridge, TN where his family was engaged in row crop farming until 1999.  The family operates a chicken barn that is contracted by Aviagen.