Hola a todos!
My name is Sarah Ramirez, and I’m from San Jose, California. My unique upbringing between the Santa Cruz mountains and the Central Valley sparked my love for the outdoors and agriculture. In high school, I took a Soil Chemistry class under the Future Farmers of America program and discovered my love for soil and the natural resources.
I completed my BS in Environmental Earth and Soil Sciences from Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, CA in 2023. I loved my college experience and was particularly fascinated with topics such as sustainable ag and tropical soils. Hence, my interest in working with the NRCS in the Pacific Islands Area!
After I finished college last spring, I was eager to spread my wings and immerse myself in a new environment. I got the job offer to work in American Samoa as a Soil Conservationist and decided to go for the adventure!
I have been here since August and have already learned so much. Living in a United States territory has allowed me to be immersed in a brand new language and culture. I have really enjoyed embracing the vibrant and family-oriented Samoan culture here on island. As a Soil Conservationist in American Samoa, I help producers install vegetate barriers (to mitigate soil erosion on the steep ridges), High Tunnels (to facilitate the growth of veggies not suited for tropical environments and to promote nutritional equity) and deep liter piggeries (to reduce waste runoff into the environment).
I am proud to be Mexican American and to be a new member of NOPHNRCSE (it has also been really fun teaching my coworkers un poquito de Español and bonding over our love for Mexican food!). Mis abuelitos had a love for farming and agriculture and I am honored to be continuing that part of my family history. I am grateful for all the opportunities the USDA-NRCS has provided me so far and am looking forward to growing even more with this agency.
PS: this picture was taken on a hike in New Zealand – a place I’ve always wanted to visit. I was able to go last month due to my close proximity in the South Pacific and I loved it!!
