STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Mississippi dairy farmers have a new specialist to advise them on best management practices and solutions to problems.

Amanda Stone began work on Aug. 16 with the Mississippi State University Extension Service as assistant Extension professor in the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences.

Amanda Stone

Stone’s responsibilities will be 80 percent Extension and 20 percent teaching. She will work directly with Extension agents, dairy producers and MSU students.

“In my new position, my main goals are to provide our state’s dairy producers with information and programs that help them reach their own goals,” Stone said. “I also hope to share new experiences with young people to get them interested in the industry.”

A native of Pennsylvania, Stone became interested the dairy industry during her undergraduate work on a farm at the University of Findlay in Ohio. She completed her master’s and doctoral degrees in dairy systems management at the University of Kentucky.

“I enjoy every day I get to work with dairy producers and students and am grateful to have the opportunity to share my passion with so many people,” Stone said.

Stone also looks forward to promoting the state’s dairy farms.

“The future of Mississippi’s dairy industry is bright,” Stone said, “and I think Mississippi dairy farms are underestimated. I see farmers who work hard in order to provide for their animals and families, put food on everyone’s tables, and protect the environment. We also have primarily pasture-based dairies and several producers do on-farm processing, which in an industry driven by consumers, is a real advantage.”

Stone can be reached at amanda.stone@msstate.edu.

Writer: Jessica Smith
Contact: Dr. Amanda Stone, 662-325-3515