Thanks to funding provided by the Maryland Whole Watershed Program, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the Chesapeake Bay Trust and Chesapeake Bay Funders Network’s Regional Capacity Building Initiative grant, Envision is able to bring on added capacity to expand some of our initiatives. We’ve recently added a full-time Agricultural Landowner Assistance Coordinator position to assist landowners and farmer participants in the new Producer-Led Bundling Agricultural Practices Program with communication, program administration, and project implementation. We’ve also brought on a full-time Community Engagement Coordinator to support Envision’s efforts to connect conservation goals with local priorities.
New Agricultural Landowner Assistance Coordinator
Evan Miles joins Envision the Choptank as Agricultural Landowner Assistance Coordinator.
Evan Miles works as Envision the Choptank’s Landowner Assistance Coordinator, supporting the Producer-Led Bundling Agricultural Practices Program. Through this role, he will provide technical assistance to farmers and landowners by assessing resource concerns, evaluating potential solutions, connecting them to funding opportunities, and coordinating project implementation. Evan is housed at the Talbot Soil Conservation District, an Envision partner organization.
With over 17 years of experience in the agricultural sector, Evan comes to Envision the Choptank with a wealth of knowledge. He grew up on his family grain farm in Queen Anne’s County and has spent his career working on visionary, innovative, and conservation minded farms. Evan also has experience with managing a non-GMO soybean cleaning facility in Chestertown, MD that processed food grade soybeans for domestic and international export. Most recently, Evan worked for Orchard Point Oyster Company, an experience he found to be enriching and adds to his diverse and unique background.
Evan is a proud veteran, having served overseas. He excelled in the United States Navy onboard the USS Juneau (LPD-10) during Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom from 2003-2007. Evan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Food and Agribusiness Management from the University of Delaware. With a deep appreciation for the joy of farm life paired with a commitment to feeding America, Evan recognizes the importance of agriculture and conservation for future generations. Outside of work, Evan enjoys spending time with his wife Angie and son Lincoln, traveling to new stadiums to see his Orioles play, NASCAR, cooking new recipes, biking, and is a No-Limit Texas Hold 'Em poker player.
New Community Engagement Coordinator
Vernon W. Murray joins JBO Conservation as Community Engagement Coordinator.
Vernon W. Murray serves as the Community Engagement Coordinator for JBO Conservation, where he works to cultivate relationships between communities, partners, and stakeholders to improve conservation efforts, build capacity, and support initiatives that develop local leadership. In this role, Vernon focuses on fostering inclusive engagement strategies, building trust across diverse communities, and supporting collaborative efforts that connect conservation goals with local priorities.
Prior to joining JBO, Vernon spent close to two decades with the Social Security Administration, serving in various leadership capacities including Branch Manager, Program Expert, and Training Specialist. During his federal career, he led diverse teams through complex service delivery operations, directed strategic cross-component partnerships, and implemented training improvements aimed at increasing overall effectiveness and efficiency. His leadership and commitment to being a public servant earned him numerous awards and citations, including Recognition of Contribution Awards, Associate Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, and Commissioner Citations. His community work on the Eastern Shore has earned him awards such as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Image Award.
Deeply rooted in service, Vernon is an active civic leader and mentor. He currently serves as President of the Jonestown Community Development Corporation, having previously served as Vice President, and served as a Community Ambassador with Envision the Choptank for over 5 years. He also coaches basketball at Colonel Richardson High School and serves on the Advisory Board for Caroline County Recreation and Parks. Vernon holds an Associate of Arts from the Community College of Baltimore County and a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Public Policy from the University of Baltimore. A devoted family man, he is passionate about empowering communities, developing future leaders, and creating lasting, collaborative impact.