Jacob Swafford has begun work as the new Soil and Water Conservation Wildlife Biologist for Daviess Counties and Harrison, Gentry and Worth.
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“A big part of my job is building relationships with local landowners,” Mr. Swafford said. “I work one-on-one with landowners, providing wildlife technical assistance and help enrolling in local, state, and federal conservation programs.”
Mr. Swafford grew up in Columbia. He graduated from the University of Missouri with a double major: bachelor’s degree in Forestry and bachelor’s degree in Fisheries and Wildlife.
Mr. Swafford worked in New Mexico as a farm bill wildlife biologist for Quail Forever. He later volunteered as secretary for the local Quail Forever chapter, Blackwater Draw Quail Forever. Now he has joined the Missouri Quail Forever team as their Northwest Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist.
Quail Forever biologists are part of a unique partnership with Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, its local chapters, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC).
Mr. Swafford and his wife Katelyn live in Albany. Katelyn is also from Columbia. She is employed as a patient financial services representative at Northwest Medical Center in Albany.
Mr. Swafford said he enjoyed his time in New Mexico, but both he and his wife’s families are here in Missouri and being close to family and friends was important to them.
“I enjoy hiking, hunting, and outdoor photography,” Mr. Swafford said. “I’m really excited to enjoy the terrific opportunities Missouri has for hunting and getting outdoors.”
You can reach him at [email protected], by phone at 660-425-7635, or in person at the Bethany USDA Field Office.