Nutrient Management Technical Services Contacts
Kyrre manages the NMTS team and supports the boots-on-the-ground field work required to fulfill NMTS’s mission. He joined the NMTS program in 2014 as the first National Estuary Program Pollution Identification and Correction (PIC) inspector based out of Lynden, WA. Since then, he’s been working with dairy farmers across Washington to support use of manure as fertilizer, promote good nutrient management and prevent water pollution. Kyrre holds a B.A in Environmental Resources Management from WWU where he solidified his goal of supporting agriculture and protecting clean water for everyone. Kyrre lives in the Olympia area.
Kevin aids in administrative support for the NMTS team whether it be processing documents, auditing, or following up on enforcement policies. He joined in 2023 to help the administration needs of NMTS and Compliance. Kevin moved from California where he spent years at UC Davis University contributing to the dining commons food inventory quality control and campus advertising. He has a background in IT and construction project management collaborating on government contracts in healthcare, military, retirement, and school districts. With a diverse history of experience, Kevin plans to utilize his skills supporting the DNMP overall efforts toward the community. He lives in Olympia and spends his time with his girlfriend at hole in the wall restaurants and the gym for balance.
Nina is the NMTS Program’s Climate-Smart Livestock Policy Specialist. Nina joined NMTS in 2017. Nina has a M.S in Applied Economics from WSU that focused on energy economics and cap and trade, where livestock industries play a key role. She holds a B.S. in Environmental Chemistry from CWU and worked for private industry in wastewater treatment and biogas system monitoring. Nina’s areas of expertise include carbon markets, climate policy, GHG reduction technologies, climate economic opportunites for livestock as well as compliance related to CAFO permitted facilities, nitrogen management in irrigated systems, and livestock mortality composting. In her free time, Nina enjoys spending time on her farm with her dogs, horses, and goats. Nina lives in the Pullman area.
Obadiah is the Groundwater Management Area Specialist (GWMA) and serves as an inspector for the Lower Yakima Valley, Benton County, and some parts of Eastern Washington. Obadiah joined NMTS in October 2023. He holds a B.S. in Crop and Soil Science, majoring in Agronomy from Oregon State University (OSU) and worked for Washington State University Franklin County Extension Office as an Agricultural Research Technologist. Obadiah`s areas of expertise include agronomic nutrient management best practices and nitrogen management in the field. Obadiah has a M.S. degree from WSU with a focus on plant and soil health management. Obadiah enjoys spending time with his family and traveling in his free time.
Michael Lowry
GIS Analyst
michael.lowry@agr.wa.gov
509-907-0593
michael.lowry@agr.wa.gov
509-907-0593
Michael is the NMTS program’s Geographic Information Systems Analyst. He joined the team in November 2024, and his work involves creating and improving spatial data tools as well as performing analyses that inform program decisions. After earning a B.S. in Biology, he left his home state of Minnesota and spent ten years working for the U.S. Forest Service, during which time he designed and used GIS tools to collect and analyze field data. He now works remotely out of his home in Yakima, utilizing his expertise in dataset design, digital form development, web map creation, and code-based customization and automation. In his free time, he enjoys going on nature walks, playing piano, programming, and spending time with his partner and their Newfoundland dog, Hurdy Gurdy.
Jera Monaghan
Nutrient Management Specialist
Jera.Monaghan@agr.wa.gov
360-890-5016
Jera.Monaghan@agr.wa.gov
360-890-5016
Jera is a nutrient management specialist serving eastern Washington, where she supports dairies in maintaining nutrient compliance through inspections and technical assistance. She rejoined the NMTS team in 2025, bringing a strong background in agriculture and resource stewardship. Jera previously worked with NMTS in 2022 as a project specialist, leading an air quality initiative in the Lower Yakima Valley. Originally from the Midwest, Jera holds a B.S. in Animal Science from the University of Wisconsin–River Falls and an M.S. in Animal Science from Washington State University, earned in 2024. Her expertise lies in manure management strategies for commercial dairies, with a focus on carbon and nitrogen cycling in agricultural systems. Prior to returning to NMTS, Jera worked with the USDA-NRCS, assisting landowners in Benton County with implementing conservation practices. Based in the Tri-Cities, Jera enjoys outdoor activities, experimenting with new recipes, planning travel adventures, and spending time with her energetic English Cocker Spaniel.
Michael supervises field staff and the compliance inspection process for the NMTS program. He joined the program in 2012 and previously served as Senior Inspector in Whatcom County. Michael was raised near the headwaters of the Klamath River, became the first student at Pacific Lutheran University to receive a Minor in Environmental Studies along with his Biology degree, and has since held a variety of jobs that involved water, food, agriculture or a combination of the three. In 2004, Michael received a Master’s in City and Regional Planning at California Polytechnic University with a focus on farmland protection. He lives in Ferndale and enjoys chasing off urban wildlife out of his gardens and spending time with his family.
Amanda joined the NMTS team as the Water Quality Project Inspector for the northwest region. Her job duties include inspecting dairy farms, conducting water sampling, and coordinating with and supporting local water quality groups, as part of the new NEP grant. She joined the Program in 2023. Amanda comes over from a geotechnical consulting firm where she worked as an engineering/environmental geologist for many years. Her water quality experience includes stormwater (CESCL) inspections on active construction sites, industrial stormwater inspections at local fish packing facilities, and conducting environmental assessments on sites with contaminated groundwater. She holds a B.S. in Earth and Space Sciences from UW and is a licensed Geologist with the State of Washington. Amanda lives in Ferndale and spends her time hiking, attending concerts, and enjoying quality time with her kids.
AJ is the South Puget Sound and coastal counties nutrient management specialist and works with the area’s characteristically smaller, pasture based and organic dairy farms to support compliance. AJ joined the NMTS program in 2022. AJ moved to Washington State from Florida where he completed his B.S. in Geology from the University of South Florida. He’s worked on a cooperative farm startup, as well as for private industry in compostable product certification, and brings expertise on composting practices. AJ dabbles in backyard farming including raising ducks, and quail and participating in local farmer’s markets in the Olympia area. When not at work, he’s usually still working, either on house projects or taking care of his animals, or sometimes hiking a nearby trail.
Liz leads the NMTS program’s development of nutrient management education and outreach materials, as well as inspects dairy farms in the South Puget Sound region. She joined the program in 2022. Following her interests in dairy nutrition, Liz migrated from Southern New England to Pullman to study Phosphorus going in and coming out of the dairy cow at WSU; earning her M.S in 2007. After working in dairy nutrition consulting and sales, she moved to work for WSU in Puyallup as a research associate and senior extension coordinator with WSU’s Livestock Nutrient Management Program, working on projects involving anerobic digesters, animal agriculture in a changing climate and nutrient recovery technology. Liz enjoys gardening in Tacoma where you’ll also find her walking, mostly next to her dog and behind her daughters.