Christina "Bena" Pegg

Results-driven environmental program manager with expertise in regenerative agriculture, applied field research, and stakeholder education. Leads multi-disciplinary programs spanning nutrient cycling, grazing systems, and water quality. Bridges science and practice to drive measurable on-farm outcomes.

Environmental Program Manager - Illinois Farm Bureau

• Lead Nutrient Stewardship, Pollinator Conservation, and Edge of Field conservation programs ($350,000+ budget). Organize and help design projects across the state to improve education, research, implementation, and innovation in nutrient loss reduction.

• Projects include: animal integration, cover crop education, biochar, alternative fertilizers (struvite), nitrate/groundwater impacts, edge of field installations/research, pollinator conservation across Illinois

• Policy work: environmental, conservation, soil health, animal integration, pesticide, compost, urban agriculture, Illinois Farm Bill, biodigestors, invasive species, pollinators, and more.

• Developed and delivered extension education programs advancing regenerative agriculture across Illinois communities; Lead Rainfall simulator education – demonstrating the effectiveness of cover crops and no-till management for nutrient stewardship, water quality and holding.

• Built presentations and programs translating complex agronomic research into actionable guidance for diverse audiences (Coffee Talk; Regenerative Agriculture and Medicine)

• Owned/operated SARE-funded research farm, designed and executed independent grazing and soil research

• Study demonstrated a large increase in carbon sequestration (0.61% C/acre/yr; 6-12X current BMPs); Carrying capacity increased 3X and forage productivity increased 5X above Hawaii Standard

• Applied grazing principles, animal nutrition, electric fencing, and supplementation strategies

• Managed adaptive multi-paddock grazing operation (300 Acres) and conducted applied livestock and forage research on Maui

• Executed soil sampling, forage analysis, and FAMACHA health monitoring protocols across commercial grazing units; Applied keyline surveying and land health assessment tools to optimize pasture productivity and soil function

• Managed farm team (10+) grazing and research operations

• Coordinated outreach and development of sustainable agriculture initiatives, including the opening of the Maui Food Innovation Center and development of Ed2Go/Edventure courses

• Designed marketing materials for web, social media, print, and distribution; wrote and published press releases, PSAs (video, audio, print); secured stakeholder & business donations

• Directed web design, outreach/fundraising campaigns, and grant coordination

• Secured $40,000+ in Tuition Assistance and $15,000 in grant funding

• Managed research, CSF collection, and sample processing

• Created and taught CSF extraction technique (cited in 192 peer-reviewed journal articles)

• Conducted graduate-level research and managed laboratory operations

• Led undergraduate instruction and course delivery as Head Teaching Assistant

• Secured $250,000 National Institutes of Health Grant for stroke research

Bachelors Degree - Biology, English Minor - DePauw University (2004 - 2008) Masters Degree - Biology (Cell/Molecular/Neurobiology) - Illinois State University (2008 - 2011) Certified GIS Technical Specialist - GIS - University of Hawaii Maui College (2013 - 2013) Certificate - Agriculture - North Dakota State University (2026)