Matt Sheffer

Experienced leader in agroecology research, regenerative agriculture, and climate solutions with a track record of securing competitive federal grants, building market infrastructure for sustainable farming, and coordinating collaborative research initiatives across farming, science, policy, and conservation sectors.

Executive Director at Hudson Carbon (2023-06 – Present)

Lead a team carrying out agroecology research in the northeast US. Oversee strategic planning, fundraising, grant writing, research design, and development of soil sampling methodologies for soil carbon assessment.

• Lead team conducting agroecology research in northeast US
• Oversee strategic planning, fundraising, grant writing, and research design
• Develop soil sampling methodologies for soil carbon assessment
• Secure and manage competitive federal grants including USDA-NRCS Conservation Innovation Grants
• Represent Hudson Carbon in collaborative public policy initiatives
• Build regional PES market frameworks and watershed-scale climate initiatives
• Focus on values-based supply chains, stacked ecosystem service revenue, and food system development

Member, Board of Directors at New Marlborough Land Trust (2023-01 – Present)

Provide support on conservation project strategy, including the conservation of Blue Hill Farm in partnership with The Trustees of Reservations, Berkshire Agricultural Ventures, and others.

• Support conservation project strategy
• Contribute expertise in agriculture, ecology, and science
• Protect agricultural landscapes in the community
• Collaborate on Blue Hill Farm conservation with multiple partners

Managing Director at Hudson Carbon (2018-01 – 2023-06)

Wrote grants, organized multiple research projects, and managed a team of project leads.

• Write grants and secure funding
• Organize and manage multiple research projects
• Manage team of project leads
• Develop and maintain partnerships across farming, science, policy, and conservation sectors
• Identify funding opportunities
• Develop research projects including question-framing and research design

Agriculture Sector Lead at Climate TRACE Coalition (2020-02 – 2021-10)

As a founding member, developed and aggregated novel strategies leveraging satellite data, remote sensing, and machine learning to improve emissions estimates for the global agriculture sector.

• Founding member of Climate TRACE Coalition
• Develop strategies leveraging satellite data and remote sensing
• Improve emissions estimates for global agriculture sector using machine learning
• Coordinate data collection across multiple research teams
• Manage tasks across corporate, NGO, and government partners

Field Tech & Carbon Project Lead at Hudson Carbon (2016-01 – 2018-01)

Conducted field data collection and operated in-field sampling equipment. Assembled eddy-covariance GHG and water quality monitoring stations.

• Conduct field data collection
• Operate in-field sampling equipment (hydraulic soil coring, portable GHG analyzers, multi-sensor soil scanners, GIS)
• Assemble eddy-covariance GHG and water quality monitoring stations
• Lead inquiry into agricultural carbon offset methodologies
• Collaborate with model developers to improve soil carbon modules
• Engage registries and project developers to develop carbon credit projects

Assistant Manager / Compliance Officer at Stone House Farm (2016-01 – 2021-10)

Supported regenerative organic transition across 2,000+ acres. Managed compliance for USDA Organic, OPT Certified Grass-Fed, Non-GMO Project, and Animal Welfare Approved certifications.

• Support regenerative organic transition across 2,000+ acres
• Rotation planning and grazing planning
• Farm and field design
• Equipment operation and fertility management
• Farm data management
• Build regional grain hub into values-based supply chain
• Manage compliance for USDA Organic, OPT Certified Grass-Fed, Non-GMO Project, and Animal Welfare Approved certifications

Farm Manager at Gardner Farm & Homestead (2013-10 – 2016-09)

Managed all aspects of a 30-acre homestead including a breeding flock of Icelandic & Clun Forest ewes, mixed orchards, vegetable gardens, pastures, and composting.

• Manage 30-acre homestead
• Manage breeding flock of Icelandic & Clun Forest ewes
• Oversee mixed orchards and vegetable gardens
• Manage pastures and composting operations
• Design and build fencing, farm roads, and other infrastructure

Farm Hand at Sky Farm (2010-04 – 2013-10)

Harvest & processing crew; field work on a 10-acre specialty organic salad operation.

• Harvest and processing crew
• Field work including tillage and bed prep
• Mechanical weed management
• Fertilizer and compost applications
• Planting and irrigation on 10-acre specialty organic salad operation

Farm Hand at Equinox Farm (2006-04 – 2009-09)

Harvest and processing crew; assisted in tractor work and field tasks on a 15-acre specialty organic salad & produce operation.

• Harvest and processing crew
• Assist in tractor work
• Field tasks on 15-acre specialty organic salad and produce operation

B.A. in English Literature – Lewis & Clark College (2009)

Certificate in Theoretical Production Ecology – Wageningen University (2015)