Oregon Dairy Farmers Association Faculty Scholar in Dairy Production and Management

The nonprofit Oregon Dairy Farmers Association (ODFA) has a long history of partnership with Oregon State University in the food technology and animal sciences departments. Part of the association's mission is to collaborate with and support OSU, as well as to encourage youth interested in future dairy industry careers

In 2011, after several years of state and federal budget cutbacks to higher education, the ODFA became concerned about the budget's impact on OSU students and research. The association stepped up its support of OSU by committing $250,000 to create the Endowed Faculty Scholar in Dairy Production and Management in the College of Agricultural Sciences. The holder of this position will be a full-time professor devoted to research and teaching in dairy production and management with a focus on forage-based systems and carbon sequestration.

The ODFA initiated the gift with the OSU Foundation, believing strongly that it was important for agriculture students, the dairy industry, and the community that OSU have a full-time faculty member dedicated to dairy. The holder of the endowed faculty position will prepare students for leadership in the dairy industry and help develop processes and technologies for profitable and environmentally sound dairy cattle production and management. The faculty scholar will consult with ODFA to determine areas of mutually beneficial research that address the challenges facing the dairy industry.