The MSU Extension Animal Agriculture and the Environment Team has more than 50 members dedicated to helping farmers and other professionals manage their nutrient resources effectively and efficiently. Here’s a look at two of them.
Faith Cullens 
District dairy educator
Based in Clinton County
A native of South Haven, Mich., Faith holds a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and a master’s degree from the University of Florida. She joined MSU Extension in May 2008.
“I discovered my love for the dairy industry in college. I served as a nutritionist in northwestern Wisconsin for three years. We enjoyed our time in Wisconsin, but I am very excited that my family and I have returned to mid-Michigan, and that I will get to help dairy producers thrive in an ever-changing environment.”
Kathy Lee
District dairy educator
Based in Missaukee County
Kathy Lee has been using her vast dairy knowledge to help dairy producers in northwestern Michigan meet their economic and production goals for 13 years. An active member of the MSUE Extension Dairy Team, she joined the Animal Agriculture and the Environment Team to keep the lines of communication open between the two teams in hopes of creating programming that serves multiple audiences.
“I enjoy my job because it allows me to be part of the dairy industry, which is so important to the economy of this area and the state. One of my goals is to provide up-to-date information that producers can use to operate profitable and sustainable businesses. I have worked with dairy producers to help them understand the right-to-farm guidelines and the generally accepted agricultural management practices (GAAMPs)—particularly those for manure management and for site selection and odor control of expanding dairy farms. As dairy farms increase in cow numbers, it is important that they have adequate land base. Evaluating feed rations to determine phosphorus excretion is an important component of determining the land base needed by farms. In some cases, dairy producers have modified their rations to reduce P excretion.”
This article is from the July 2008 issue of The Scoop. To read the rest of The Scoop click here.