SARE Staff

Offices

Host Institution
Montana State University
(406) 994-4785
wsare@montana.edu

Clayton is the Regional Coordinator for the Western Region. He also conducts riparian and wildland fire research for the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station, Bozeman, Montana. As Regional Coordinator, Clayton is responsible for the function and progress of the SARE program throughout the western states and Pacific Islands. His primary focus is planning, budget development, program review, and integration of the Research/Education effort with outcomes from the Professional Development Program. Interaction with the Western SARE Administrative Council, grant applicants, researchers, educators, and university and USDA administrators completes the Coordinator’s list of tasks. Clayton manages the Research & Education grant program.

Montana State University
207 Linfield Hall
P.O. Box 172840
Bozeman MT 59717
(406) 994-5161
send email

Jenna Meeks, PDP Coordinator

Jenna grew up in south-central Idaho on a fourth-generation commodity crop and cow/calf operation. In addition to Western SARE, she is an Assistant Research Scientist with the University of Wyoming and is a board member of the Lingle Fort Laramie Conservation District. Jenna lives in the thriving metropolis of Lingle, WY. As PDP Coordinator, she looks forward to developing relationships and traveling throughout the Western region to further the SARE mission. Jenna manages the PDP and LED grants programs.

2753 State Hwy 157
Lingle WY 82223
(307) 575-2416
send email

Stacie Clary, Communications Manager

Stacie works as the Communications Manager with the goal of ensuring the Western ag community knows about their eligibility for the different grants programs, as well as the educational resources provided by SARE. She interviews grantees to write stories, co-hosts the podcast, manages the website and digital communications, oversees the newsletter and other publications, promotes good educational materials created by grantees, handles media requests, attends conferences, and oversees video production.

Sacramento CA
(916) 572-6226
send email

Tess Donnelly, PDP Assistant

Tess works as a PDP Assistant and as an Assistant Research Scientist with the University of Wyoming. She grew up in the West and loves to see all of the different sectors of agriculture shape and change the world we live in. Furthering the SARE mission is something that she is proud to be a part of.

1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3354 Office #1017
Laramie WY 82071

send email

Steve Elliott, Communications Consultant

Avery CA
(209) 795-7445
send email

Kayla Gnerer, Program Coordinator

Kayla serves as the Program Coordinator for which she researches venues, organizes quarterly meetings, operates as the point of contact and technical support, arranges travel for guests and staff, sends publications, maintains calendars, and captures minutes.

Montana State University
207 Linfield Hall
P.O. Box 172840
Bozeman MT 59717
(406) 994-4785
send email

Kelly Greenwald, PDP Business Manager

Kelly serves as the Business Manager for the Western SARE PDP program as well as the University of Wyoming SAREC research and extension center located in Lingle, WY.  Kelly’s Western SARE responsibilities include processing all financial obligations, reimbursements and contracts; managing meeting, hotel, travel and tour arrangements; and other support of Western SARE PDP state coordinators, PDP and RGR grant applicants and grant recipients.

2753 State Hwy 157
Lingle, WY 82223
(307) 575-2416
send email

Irene Grimberg, Deputy Regional Coordinator

Dr. Bruna Irene Grimberg is the Deputy Regional Coordinator of Western SARE. Bruna focuses on the programmatic aspects of Western SARE Research and Education (Chapter 1) grant programs and collaborates with the communication team. Her expertise is grounded in evaluation, science learning and outreach, and professional development in rural communities. Her contributions extend to the areas of online science instruction, culturally responsive teaching methods, need assessments, and public perception of scientific issues. Irene manages the P+P, Sabbatical R&E, and Graduate Student grants programs.

Montana State University
207 Linfield Hall
P.O. Box 172840
Bozeman MT 59717
(406) 994-4789
send email

Sherry Heis, Accounting Associate III

Sherry supports Administrative Council members, staff, and Western SARE grantees with travel reimbursements, P-Card expenses, grant sub-awards, and general office support.

Montana State University
207 Linfield Hall
P.O. Box 172840
Bozeman MT 59717
(406) 994-4307
send email

Miranda Kersten, Farmer/Rancher Program Manager

As the Farmer/Rancher Program Manager, Miranda manages the application, awarding, and reporting of the Western SARE Farmer/Rancher grant program. She also provides support to applicants and grantees and assists other competitive grant programs in Western SARE. She lives in Albuquerque, NM.

Montana State University
207 Linfield Hall
P.O. Box 172840
Bozeman MT 59717
(406) 994-4309
send email

Steve Phillips, Accounting Analyst 

Steve works as an Accounting Analyst for Western SARE. On a regular basis he ensures the accuracy of recipient invoices and reconciles them against subaward agreement budgets and award dates. He enthusiastically provides budget support to Western SARE grantees and the Fiscal and Contracts Manager. Additionally, he continues to pursue his dream of seeing wolverines in the wild.

Montana State University
207 Linfield Hall
P.O. Box 172840
Bozeman MT 59717
send email

Sara Trojan, Associate PDP Coordinator

Sara is an Associate PDP Coordinator for Western SARE.  Sara resides in Casper, Wyoming and assists the PDP coordinator with programming, grant reviews, and outreach activities to help maintain a vibrant Western SARE program.  Aside from her duties with SARE, she is a consulting beef nutritionist and works closely with ranches and beef operations to enhance profitability and sustainability.  Sara and her family are also heavily involved in her family’s commercial cow/calf operation near Sheridan, WY.  Sara manages the SAAP grant program.

5181 Squaw Creek Road
Casper WY 82601
(307) 752-9458
send email

Jen von Sehlen, Fiscal Manager

Jen serves as the Fiscal and Contract Manager. Jen has worked on a variety of Federal, State and private grants for over 15 years, the majority of this time spent in fiscal management.  For the Western SARE program, she is responsible for the general fiscal management of each active Cooperative Agreement with USDA-NIFA (the SARE program’s Federal Sponsor). Western SARE grant applicants should contact Jen if they have any questions pertaining to proposal budget requirements.  Western SARE subrecipients will work with Jen to establish their grant (subaward agreement) with MSU, including any budget revisions. Throughout the life of a grant, the PI or PI’s institution will work with her on any amendments to their subaward agreement.  Subrecipients should direct all budget questions and invoices to Jen as well.

Montana State University
207 Linfield Hall
P.O. Box 172840
Bozeman MT 59717
(406) 994-4786
send email