Since 2002, I have worked as a research associate for the Department of Animal Science at Penn State and assisted with research and extension activities related to calves, heifers and forages. My responsibilities include managing the Penn State Dairy Cattle Nutrition Workshop, which is an annual event that provides continuing education for feed industry professionals and nutritional consultants. I prepare research papers for publication and translate research findings into tools and information that dairy farmers and their advisers can use to make better decisions. I am a member of the American Dairy Science Association and serve on the boards of the North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge and the Dairy Shrine. I also do some free-lance writing and design, and my husband and I operate a small, diversified farm in Craigsville, Va. I enjoy reading and gardening in my spare time.
My Hoard's Dairyman internship was the best experience of my college career. I learned that I really enjoyed the process of translating scientific information into practical information, which solidified the direction of my career path. To this day, the most satisfying part of my job is translating science into forms that people can use. I like helping people, and I believe communications is an essential link between research and application of knowledge. Through my internship at Hoard's Dairyman, I gained a greater understanding of the publishing industry and made contacts that continue to provide opportunities for me. I also enjoyed visiting farms to learn more about their unique stories and sharing those with others through the magazine.
