Sara Hopper

Work

Sara Hopper directs EDF’s agricultural policy work, focusing primarily on expanding and improving the effectiveness of USDA's voluntary conservation programs in helping farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners produce cleaner water and healthier, more resilient ecosystems through cooperation with farmers, ranchers and private forest landowners.

Sara works closely with policymakers and other stakeholders, including:

• Congressional offices on issues related to the federal farm bill and conservation program funding and implementation,
• USDA staff on conservation program implementation,
• producers and producer groups, and
• other conservation groups

to support effective on-the-ground conservation efforts by owners and managers of the nation's private lands.

Background

Sara served as counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry from 2001 to 2003, during the development and enactment of the 2002 farm bill. Prior to that, she was an as associate at Dorsey & Whitney LLP in Minneapolis.

Education

• J.D., University of Virginia School of Law, 1998.
• B.A., Lawrence University, 1992.