Staff
Our staff is dedicated to providing excellent services to our customers in a reliable, fiscally responsible manner.
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Elizabeth Harper
Executive Director
About: Liz grew up in Colusa and returned in 2012 to pursue her passion for farming and rural living. She began as a ranch intern at Peterson Ranch, a large family farm that produces orchard crops, later that year. She soon became the Assistant Agronomist working in a close-knit farm management team. Responsibilities included: developing nutrient budgets, managing the irrigation program, and coordinating Integrated Pest Management projects. In her final year at the ranch, Liz became the Assistant Director of Food Safety and Government Compliance, work included developing and implementing a Global Good Agricultural Practice plan.
Concurrently in 2013, Liz was hired by the local RCD as a Conservation Technician. She was directed by Audubon Society’s lead conservationists to develop and maintain hedgerows at Davis Ranches.
Apprenticing professionals in both conservation and agriculture specific to Colusa County's ecological farmscape has only solidified Liz's desire to integrate and help sustain both in the place she re-calls home.
In 2018, CCRCD hired Liz as the Assistant Executive Director to take over the leadership of the RCD at the year's end. Liz is thrilled to be able to serve her rural community in conserving, protecting and restoring natural resources well into the future.
When not at work, Liz enjoys raising her son in a small town, running with her dog along the Sacramento River, cooking NYT recipes, attempting a xeriscape garden, reading everything, and traveling outside the valley every once in a while.
Agriculture Professional certifications:
Certified Crop Advisor/ August 2018
Qualified Applicators License/ March 2017
UC Davis: Walnut Short Course
UC Davis: Pomology Short Course (2-week intensive)
California Farm Academy, Center for Land-based Learning, Winters,
CA / Class of 2014
Graduated in 2008 from Seattle Pacific University, BA in Family and Consumer Science: Individual and Family Development
Madison Rico (Wells)
Outreach and Communications Coordinator
madison.rico@colusarcd.org
Madison Rico is the Outreach and Communications Coordinator for the Colusa County Resource Conservation District (CCRCD).
Born and raised in Colusa County, Madison comes from a farming background, giving her a deep connection to the local agricultural community and its needs. She is passionate about supporting farmers, ranchers, and residents by promoting sustainable practices and providing valuable technical assistance.
To better serve her community, Madison is currently participating in the Chico State Technical Assistance Provider (TAP) Certification Program, equipping her with advanced skills and resources to help producers implement conservation practices. An advocate for conservation and community engagement, Madison is dedicated to making a positive impact in Colusa County.
Madison is married and raising two children, enjoying the opportunity to bring them up in the small-town community she loves. She spends her free time coaching local youth sports, running with her dogs Chester and Beau, camping, exploring the outdoors, and cheering on her favorite sports teams.
Tucker Bennett
Natural Resource Coordinator
bennett@colusarcd.org
Tucker is the Natural Resource Coordinator at the Colusa County RCD and Colusa County NRCS.
Tucker grew up in King City, CA where he learned the ins and out of farming. He moved to Chico, CA in 2015, and graduated from CSU, Chico with a BS in Parks and Natural Resources Management. Tucker is excited to join the RCD team to help farmers address natural resource concerns in and around farm land. When Tucker is not working he is enjoying the outdoors and spending time with family.
Eduardo Blancas-Alcantara
Project Coordinator
eduardo@colusarcd.org
Eduardo is the Conservation Project Coordinator at the Colusa County Resource Conservation District.
Eduardo grew up in Corning, CA where he started his natural resource career with the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge as a YCC Crew Lead and went on to work for the Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve as a Land Steward where he learned the intricacies of land management and the importance of returning good fire back into the landscape.
He then went on to work for the Mendocino and Shasta Trinity National Forests as a Wildland Firefighter for 2 seasons learning the various fire suppression tactics and fuels management techniques of the U.S. Forest Service. In his final semester at Chico State he worked for Recreation Site Management, where he learned how to coordinate with various public land agencies in efforts to maintain and revitalize our public lands. Eduardo graduated from Chico State with a BS in Parks and Natural Resource Management and in 2023 was hired by the CCRCD as a Project Coordinator to help manage the RCD’s Forest Health programs.
When not at work he likes to tinker in automotive mechanics and spend time with his family.
Margot Flynn
Sacramento Valley Regional Soil Hub Coordinator
margot@svsoilhub.org
Margot is the Sacramento Valley Regional Soil Hub Coordinator for the Sacramento Valley Region of RCDs, which include: Butte, Colusa, Feather River, Glenn, Sutter, Sierra, Tehama, Yolo, Yuba, and Western Shasta County RCDs.
Margot is an agricultural ecologist who has been working in community outreach and on farm research for the last 4 years. Margot holds a B.A. in Environment Science from Colorado College an a M.Sc. in Ecology from UC Davis, where she worked in almond orchards to measure the impacts of regenerative management on water use. Margot's passion for sustainable food systems has drawn her to work with RCDs where she is enthusiastic about merging her experiences in community engagement with her technical skills to support climate smart agriculture and help build a healthy, harmonious, and resilient region. When she's not at work, she enjoys making ceramics, exploring California's landscapes, and searching for the best strawberry milkshake in the Central Valley.
Madison Martin
Office Manager
madison.martin@colusarcd.org
Madison is the Office Manager at the Colusa County Resource Conservation District.
Madison was born and raised in Colusa, CA. Madison has a degree in Agriculture Business, and has been working in agriculture since 2016. Throughout college Madison worked at the Colusa County Department of Agriculture. After college she went on to work for her family farm, Martin Family Farms, where she writes grants, manages the bookkeeping, and helps run equipment during harvest season.
At the RCD you will find her managing the day to day office duties including administration and grant management.
In her free time, Madison enjoys volunteering in her community. Serving as Trustee Area 2 for the Colusa County Office of Education, as well as the California School Association, and as a commissioner for the City of Colusa Parks Recreation and Tree commission.
Madison is married with three kids and raises her family on their ranch here in Colusa.