معرفی
Krista Ehlert is an Assistant Professor and SDSU Extension Range Specialist at South Dakota State University (SDSU) in the Department of Natural Resource Management. Her work integrates research, education, and outreach to address challenges in rangeland management, particularly focusing on beef cattle production, virtual fencing technology, and invasive species control. She collaborates with producers, non-profits, and government agencies like The Nature Conservancy and the Natural Resources Conservation Service to develop sustainable land-use strategies.
Dr. Ehlert holds a Ph.D. in Ecology and Environmental Sciences from Montana State University (2017), an M.S. in Land Resources and Environmental Sciences (2013), and a B.A. in Biology from St. Olaf College (2011). Her research emphasizes precision livestock management, riparian restoration, and innovative approaches to grazing systems. She has secured significant grants, including an $80 million Climate Smart grant in 2023, and contributed to over $84.4 million in total funding across 20 grants.
Her awards include the 2022 Extension Creativity in Service Award and a 2023 nomination for Society for Range Management’s Outstanding Young Range Professional. Key research themes include virtual fencing technology’s impact on cattle behavior, phenology-based methane emission analysis, and native plant restoration in degraded ecosystems. She leads extension programs like beefSD, which supports beginning cattle producers, and develops web tools to enhance livestock management decision-making.
