I am from a small hobby beef farm in central Illinois where we also farmed 1000 acres of corn and soybeans. I have been around cattle and agriculture my whole life! When I first came to the University of Illinois for my Bachelor’s degree, my goal was to peruse a career in veterinary medicine. After I got a student job at the dairy farm on campus, that goal changed. My new life long goal was to work in the dairy industry. I continued working on the diary for my undergraduate degree and continued to work at the university farm after completing my Bachelor’s in May 2014. I am currently in my second year at a Master’s degree in animal sciences.

My true passion is working with dairy calves. I am truly happy when I get to see the calves go from day one of life and transition to healthy happy milking cows in the herd. I think that this stage of life is very important and can determine the outcome and production of the life as a lactating cow. I am very excited to be part of a great university with amazing resource that have made my goals come true. I am pleased to be part of an amazing group of members in the Dairy Focus Lab and love to work with everyone who enjoys dairy cattle as much as I do!