Leann Hopper

Title: Research Program Manager
Time at GRI: Since June 2024
Hometown: Troy, TN

Q: What is your academic background?
I received my bachelor’s in agribusiness from Mississippi State University and my master’s in agricultural economics from the University of Tennessee.

Q: What are your research interests?
My interests include land use economics and conservation research that optimizes land allocation, economic growth, agricultural production, and environmental benefits.

Q: Who inspired you to pursue the career you have today?
Growing up on a cattle farm in rural Tennessee, my father and the community sparked my passion for preserving the agriculture industry. My undergraduate research advisor, Dr. Matthew Interis, piqued my interest for environmental conservation. My committee member, Dr. Chris Boyer, and impromptu therapist, Professor Jon Walton, assisted me in navigating professional relationships and continuously encouraged me to trust my abilities.

Q: What has been your favorite project while working at GRI?
While at GRI, I have been working on CRP Menu Tool, a decision support tool that provides landowners with accessible information about the USDA’s Conservation Reserve Program. I love working on this project because we are able to bring in geospatial elements that provide a customizable output for each user, in the hopes of encouraging engagement in conservation practices that will improve water quality, soil health, and wildlife habitats.

Q: What is the coolest thing you are working on right now?
One of the coolest parts of working on the CRP Menu Tool project is I have irons in many fires and get to see the project develop from the beginning brainstorm to the final production launch. In a way, we are fostering alignment between the USDA and landowners, so you can find me elbow-deep in government technical documents, making my infamous development mock-ups, and having one-on-one conversations with landowners.

Q: What is something most people don’t know about you?
Growing up, showing and judging livestock was a big part of my life. I can pretty much identify any hog and beef cattle breed.

Q: What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have outside of work?
I love playing cards and board games like Rook, Catan, and Tri-ominos. My family takes Rook very seriously, and it is our go-to holiday game. We take it so seriously that we don’t speak while we play, so it does make for some Silent Nights. I also love to paint and have recently dedicated my life to my sourdough starter.