About me
I am a Soil Scientist and Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Soil, Water, and Climate at the University of Minnesota. My research integrates soil science, landscape ecology, agroforestry, and precision agriculture to develop sustainable solutions for mountain and smallholder farming systems. I combine field research, geospatial analysis, and Indigenous knowledge to understand how landscapes influence soil processes and agricultural resilience.
Research Interest
Mountain Agroforestry
Soil Science
Precision Agriculture
Landscape Ecology
Climate Resilience Indigenous Knowledge
SOIL SCIENCE · AGROFORESTRY · LANDSCAPES
Growing Resilient
Landscapes
Building resilient agricultural landscapes through
soil science, agroforestry, precision agriculture,
and Indigenous knowledge.
Soil Scientist · Agroforestry Researcher · Ph.D. Candidate
University of Minnesota
About
Research
Projects
Publications
Teaching
Awards
Contact
01 / ABOUT
Science grounded
in landscapes.
I am a soil scientist and Ph.D. candidate at the
University of Minnesota studying how soils, topography,
vegetation, and agricultural management interact across
complex landscapes.
My research integrates soil science, landscape ecology,
agroforestry, and precision agriculture to develop
sustainable solutions for mountain and smallholder
farming systems. I combine field research, geospatial
analysis, environmental monitoring, and Indigenous
knowledge to understand how landscapes influence soil
processes and agricultural resilience.
My broader goal is to connect scientific innovation
with practical approaches that support resilient
agricultural communities and sustainable land stewardship.
02 / RESEARCH
Research Areas
My work connects soil processes, landscape variability,
agricultural management and knowledge systems across
diverse farming environments.
01
Mountain Agroforestry
Exploring agroforestry as a strategy for soil
conservation, water regulation, biodiversity,
climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods
in mountain landscapes.
02
Soil Science
Investigating soil carbon, nutrient cycling,
erosion, soil health, and spatial variability
across agricultural landscapes.
03
Precision Agriculture
Applying GIS, terrain analysis, environmental
sensors, and geospatial technologies to improve
agricultural decision-making.
04
Landscape Ecology
Understanding how topography, climate, vegetation,
and land use influence ecological processes and
soil variability.
05
Climate Resilience
Studying nature-based approaches that strengthen
agricultural adaptation while supporting long-term
ecosystem function.
06
Indigenous Knowledge
Connecting Traditional Ecological Knowledge and
scientific research to support culturally grounded
approaches to sustainable land stewardship.
03 / SELECTED WORK
Featured Projects
MEXICO · VERACRUZ & OAXACA
Coffee Agroforestry
Across Mountain Landscapes
Investigating how topography and agroforestry
management influence soil carbon, nitrogen,
and soil function in smallholder coffee systems.
USA · DRIFTLESS AREA
Precision Agriculture
in Complex Terrain
Examining how topography influences agricultural
land use, soil properties, microclimate, and
management decisions across organic farms.
MEXICO · MOUNTAIN AGROFORESTRY
Indigenous Knowledge &
Resilient Agricultural Landscapes
Exploring how traditional ecological knowledge,
perennial vegetation, and landscape management
contribute to resilient agricultural systems.
04 / PUBLICATIONS
Selected Publications
Research at the intersection of soils, agricultural
landscapes, agroforestry, and environmental resilience.
ADD PUBLICATION TITLE HERE
Azucena Sierra Garcia, Coauthor Name,
Coauthor Name
Journal Name
ADD SECOND PUBLICATION TITLE HERE
Azucena Sierra Garcia, Coauthor Name
Journal Name
05 / TEACHING
Teaching &
Mentoring
I approach teaching as an opportunity to connect
scientific concepts with landscapes, field experience,
and real environmental challenges.
My teaching interests include soil science,
agroecology, ecology, precision agriculture,
GIS, landscape processes, and sustainable
agricultural systems.
Laboratory instruction
Field-based learning
Scientific communication
Undergraduate students
Graduate students
Community engagement
06 / RECOGNITION
Awards & Leadership
Hueg-Harrison Fellowship
Institute on the Environment Mini-Grant
Soil, Water & Land Conservation Award
Fulbright Scholar
Science begins by understanding the landscape.
07 / CONNECT
Let’s work together.
I welcome collaborations related to soil science,
agroforestry, precision agriculture, sustainable
landscapes, Indigenous knowledge, and environmental
research.
About me
I am a Soil Scientist and Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Soil, Water, and Climate at the University of Minnesota. My research integrates soil science, landscape ecology, agroforestry, and precision agriculture to develop sustainable solutions for mountain and smallholder farming systems. I combine field research, geospatial analysis, and Indigenous knowledge to understand how landscapes influence soil processes and agricultural resilience.
Research Interest
Mountain Agroforestry
Soil Science
Precision Agriculture
Landscape Ecology
Climate Resilience Indigenous Knowledge
SOIL SCIENCE · AGROFORESTRY · LANDSCAPES
Growing Resilient
Landscapes
Building resilient agricultural landscapes through
soil science, agroforestry, precision agriculture,
and Indigenous knowledge.
Soil Scientist · Agroforestry Researcher · Ph.D. Candidate
University of Minnesota
About
Research
Projects
Publications
Teaching
Awards
Contact
01 / ABOUT
Science grounded
in landscapes.
I am a soil scientist and Ph.D. candidate at the
University of Minnesota studying how soils, topography,
vegetation, and agricultural management interact across
complex landscapes.
My research integrates soil science, landscape ecology,
agroforestry, and precision agriculture to develop
sustainable solutions for mountain and smallholder
farming systems. I combine field research, geospatial
analysis, environmental monitoring, and Indigenous
knowledge to understand how landscapes influence soil
processes and agricultural resilience.
My broader goal is to connect scientific innovation
with practical approaches that support resilient
agricultural communities and sustainable land stewardship.
02 / RESEARCH
Research Areas
My work connects soil processes, landscape variability,
agricultural management, and knowledge systems across
diverse farming environments.
01
Mountain Agroforestry
Exploring agroforestry as a strategy for soil
conservation, water regulation, biodiversity,
climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods
in mountain landscapes.
02
Soil Science
Investigating soil carbon, nutrient cycling,
erosion, soil health, and spatial variability
across agricultural landscapes.
03
Precision Agriculture
Applying GIS, terrain analysis, environmental
sensors, and geospatial technologies to improve
agricultural decision-making.
04
Landscape Ecology
Understanding how topography, climate, vegetation,
and land use influence ecological processes and
soil variability.
05
Climate Resilience
Studying nature-based approaches that strengthen
agricultural adaptation while supporting long-term
ecosystem function.
06
Indigenous Knowledge
Connecting Traditional Ecological Knowledge and
scientific research to support culturally grounded
approaches to sustainable land stewardship.
03 / SELECTED WORK
Featured Projects
MEXICO · VERACRUZ & OAXACA
Coffee Agroforestry
Across Mountain Landscapes
Investigating how topography and agroforestry
management influence soil carbon, nitrogen,
and soil function in smallholder coffee systems.
USA · DRIFTLESS AREA
Precision Agriculture
in Complex Terrain
Examining how topography influences agricultural
land use, soil properties, microclimate, and
management decisions across organic farms.
MEXICO · MOUNTAIN AGROFORESTRY
Indigenous Knowledge &
Resilient Agricultural Landscapes
Exploring how traditional ecological knowledge,
perennial vegetation, and landscape management
contribute to resilient agricultural systems.
04 / PUBLICATIONS
Selected Publications
Research at the intersection of soils, agricultural
landscapes, agroforestry, and environmental resilience.
ADD PUBLICATION TITLE HERE
Azucena Sierra Garcia, Coauthor Name,
Coauthor Name
Journal Name
ADD SECOND PUBLICATION TITLE HERE
Azucena Sierra Garcia, Coauthor Name
Journal Name
05 / TEACHING
Teaching &
Mentoring
I approach teaching as an opportunity to connect
scientific concepts with landscapes, field experience,
and real environmental challenges.
My teaching interests include soil science,
agroecology, ecology, precision agriculture,
GIS, landscape processes, and sustainable
agricultural systems.
Laboratory instruction
Field-based learning
Scientific communication
Undergraduate students
Graduate students
Community engagement
06 / RECOGNITION
Awards & Leadership
Hueg-Harrison Fellowship
Institute on the Environment Mini-Grant
Soil, Water & Land Conservation Award
Fulbright Scholar
Science begins by understanding the landscape.
07 / CONNECT
Let’s work together.
I welcome collaborations related to soil science,
agroforestry, precision agriculture, sustainable
landscapes, Indigenous knowledge, and environmental
research.
Agronex: Agroecological Network 