Lara Schenck

Grants Manager

Lara Schenck joined the Practical Farmers of Iowa staff in March 2021. As the grants manager, she researches new funding opportunities; oversees the preparation and submittal of proposals, progress reporting and budget reports; and tracks project progress.

Lara graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri, in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in agronomy. Her interest in soils and environmental science led her to pursue a master’s degree in soil science at Iowa State University, which she obtained in 2015. Lara worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service as a soil conservationist and resource conservationist in Iowa and Nebraska, respectively, helping farmers adopt and expand sustainable conservation practices.

Lara grew up in southwest Iowa on her 440-acre family farm, which she co-manages with her brother. In her free time, she enjoys horseback riding, traveling, reading and painting.