Meet Nina: CCCD Welcomes a New Team Member!

Hi! My name is Nina Halsted, and I am thrilled to take on my new role as Community Engagement and Communications Coordinator. In this blog, I hope to introduce myself and share my story.

Photo of Nina Halsted holding a sunflower, Image Credit: Nina Halsted

I have always felt a connection to the natural world. While I was born in Chicago, I moved to the mountains of Colorado when I was only two years old. I grew up surrounded by big rocks, moose, mountain lions, bears, and endless acres of the national forest. I grew up in Gilpin County, which ranged from an elevation of 7,000 feet to 12,000 feet and served as a home to a little over 5,000 residents. From a young age, I was very aware of the impact even a small community had on the ecosystem. As a young girl, I would spend hours outside, playing with my friends, learning from nature, and becoming an integral part of it. I saw the natural world as this magical space where nature and I co-existed.

My best friend and I (blue shirt), hiking and exploring the National Forest, Image Credit: Curt Halsted

Eventually, there came a time when I decided on a favorite pine tree in my backyard. I even named the tree Sally. I would spend hours by the tree, talking to it, climbing it, and building fairy houses at its base. Due to prolonged drought, Colorado faced a prolific pine beetle outbreak that decimated large portions of the National Forest. In turn, this led to significant and unprecedented forest fires. I remember being terrified Sally would succumb to a similar fate as other trees in the area. I needed to understand why it was happening and how I could help. I ended up speaking at local town halls and with conservationists in the area. I always came with a list of questions, ready to learn! My passion and love for conservation and ecology only grew from there on. 

The view up the hill from my childhood home, Image Credit: Curt Halsted

I pursued my degree in Ecosystem Science and Sustainability from Colorado State University, where I was first introduced to working lands and food systems. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I transferred to the University of Colorado Boulder after three years. I graduated with my degree in Environmental Studies in 2021.

That same year, I moved to Albany, New York. I worked with a small nonprofit called the Eden's Rose Foundation. I had one title but wore many hats in the organization. Our primary focus was capacity building in food deserts. I was able to work with a small team of volunteers to run programming with an emphasis on providing, educating, and growing food in urban centers. The organization took unused plots within the urban neighborhood and transformed them into victory gardens, blueberry fields, nature spaces, and urban farms. I began to recognize firsthand the impact that ecological restoration had on more than just rural and natural spaces. It brought benefits not only to the local landscape but also to the local economy and the general community. 

After I moved to Vermont, I worked full-time in education and part-time as a trainee for the Farm Force Program. Farm Force was a comprehensive effort by the White River Conservation District, the Virgin Islands Women in Agriculture Association, and the Bennington County Conservation District to train a workforce of 30 individuals in conservation planning, climate-smart agriculture, and farm advocacy.

This opportunity was funded by the Working Lands Conservation Corps (AmeriCorps). It allowed me to visit farms, work directly with farmers, and learn the ins and outs of conservation planning in the field. During my term, I was able to connect with farmers in Vermont, New Hampshire, and the US Virgin Islands through educational tours and worker brigades where we helped local farms install projects. There was a heavy focus on tree planting for silvopasture and agroforestry projects.

While my time on individual farms was momentary in comparison to the time and hard work farmers spend on their farms each day, I really grew to understand how vital farmers are in shaping our natural world and feeding the masses. Unfortunately, I was unable to fulfill the full-year term with Farm Force due to funding pulls from AmeriCorps. However, I learned more in the five months I spent with Farm Force than ever before, and I am grateful for the opportunities I had to engage and learn hands-on with local farmers and their communities. Ultimately, this program is what led me to this position at CCCD.

The Farm Force team at our first in-person meeting, Image Credit: White River Conservation District

I am so excited to embark on this new opportunity to aid in conservation efforts, connect with the Cheshire County community, and continue to build on my knowledge and experience with an incredible and passionate team.