By Blake Jackson
Three years of hands-on experience at Penn State’s Dairy Barns helped shape Hannah Mansfield’s academic and professional journey. A spring 2026 graduate of the College of Agricultural Sciences, Mansfield is now pursuing a master’s degree in animal science while continuing her involvement in dairy research.
Originally from Greenville, North Carolina, Mansfield did not grow up on a farm. Her experience at Penn State, however, provided extensive exposure to dairy management, livestock care, equipment operation, and teamwork. While she previously showed a Boer goat and a Jersey heifer through her high school FFA program, working with a herd of more than 200 dairy cows presented a much larger challenge.
“It was definitely a big adjustment,” Mansfield said. “At first, I wasn’t used to the multitasking aspect of the dairy. When you’re doing one thing, whether it’s milking or scraping manure in the barns, you’re constantly thinking about the next task that needs to be done.”
Mansfield is one of 20 student employees who work alongside full-time staff to manage the dairy operation. Students participate in daily activities such as milking, feeding cattle, cleaning facilities, administering vaccinations, and caring for calves.
“The goal is for students to learn the day-to-day happenings on a dairy farm and to take what they learn in the classroom and be able to apply it in a more hands-on way,” said Nadine Houck, who co-manages the barns with Travis Edwards. “The things that they learn in class, they can see and practice here on an actual farm.”
Beyond farm duties, Mansfield completed an internship with Kreider Farms and became active in the Penn State Dairy Science Club. After taking a dairy production and management course, she developed a strong interest in precision dairy science and earned first-place honors for a presentation at an American Dairy Science Association student meeting.
Today, Mansfield is involved in research examining how different feeding programs influence calf growth and development. Looking ahead, Mansfield hopes to work in Cooperative Extension or higher education while continuing agricultural research.
“This place feels like home to me,” Mansfield said. “We spend so much time together, working and socializing, and it’s really opened my eyes to all that the dairy industry involves.”
The experience has provided Mansfield with valuable technical skills, research opportunities, and professional connections that continue to guide her future career in the dairy industry.
Photo Credit: penn-state
Categories: Pennsylvania, Education, Livestock, Dairy Cattle