Student Barn Workers Integral to Penn State Dairy Herd

Lori Bardine's college experience went far beyond classes, activities and projects. A December, 2008 graduate of the Department of Dairy and Animal Science, Bardine's life also included milking cows, being on call for calving, caring for animals being used for research, midnight barn checks, giving shots and the myriad of other activities that make up daily life on a dairy farm. Bardine worked as a student barn worker in the dairy barns, gaining valuable firsthand knowledge - something she felt she needed as an animal science major since she hadn't grown up on a farm.

For her hard work and dedication, Bardine received the 2008 Outstanding Student Barn Worker Hazlett Award, an honor given to just one of the student workers in all the animal units that are part of the Department. Nadine Houck, assistant manager, Penn State dairy barns, and Bardine's supervisor, was given the 2008 Outstanding Staff Member Award, in recognition of her outstanding leadership to the students and operating the dairy barns.

Dr. Terry Etherton, Head of the Department of Dairy and Animal Science, said, "The students who work at the animal units are a valuable part of Department. We appreciate their dedication to the work, and know that their varied experiences provide useful real life knowledge. I especially congratulate Lori for the outstanding work she has done as a worker at the dairy barns and Nadine for her leadership to the student workers."

Each semester between 20 and 30 students take on the daily work at the barns, with some choosing to live there. At the dairy unit, there are eight students who live and work there, getting free housing in exchange for a minimum of five hours a week. Most work 10-15 hours, according to Houck, with part of the commitment being available for work on weekends and during semester breaks, including holidays.

For Bardine, the opportunity to work at the dairy barns provided a chance to work around animals, and it was so important to her that she began by commuting from the Altoona campus. Ultimately, she lived at the barns for three summers and a full school year, and is continuing to work following her December graduation while she looks for a job in herd management. Graduates are allowed to work a limited number of weeks.

The four men and four women who live at the barns take on additional responsibilities, including doing the night check, being there if someone calls off and taking responsibility for calving. Bardine praised her two "great bosses" (Houck and Assistant Unit Manager Travis Edwards) and also the full time workers "who taught me a lot - they were really willing to teach." She added, "Students who work there become close. It is something I would not change. I liked living and working there."

Houck, supervisor for student workers in the dairy barns, said students are about equally mixed between those who have dairy backgrounds and those who do not. Many who apply need experience for vet school and have no animal experience. She said she has hired English majors and electrical engineers - saying, "I'll hire anyone willing to learn."

About Bardine, Houck says, "She was willing to learn, and did a really good job for someone who never worked around cows. She was very dependable, and was able to take over the computer work, including payroll, while I was on maternity leave."

Echoing the thoughts of many of the students, Bardine said the experience helped her learn to juggle her schedule, making her more organized. "You have to dedicate yourself to getting your school work done."

Ashley Harshbarger, Juniata County, knew about working at the barns because she had a sister who lived and worked there. She said, "I needed a job I felt comfortable with, and something related to my major." She found the experience valuable because of learning to pay attention to small details, and learning the importance of communication with all the workers. "We need to make sure everything is working smoothly, and it is very important if there is a problem to pass it along to the full time workers."

Harshbarger said that while she grew up on a dairy farm, she learned new things especially because of the research facility aspect, and adds, "I've taken on some responsibilities that I wouldn't have at home.

Jamie Finch, Washington County, grew up around animals - horses, cattle, chickens, lambs and goats, but she said, "To strengthen my weakness, I wanted to work in the dairy barns. I want to be an ag teachers, and I want to understand all of agriculture."

Having had to get up for lambing at her home, the concept of night checks and calving was not new to her. And though Bardine said she sometimes has trouble studying at the barns, Finch said, "Living at the barns has improved my grades." She learned about the opportunity from a neighbor, and was encouraged by her mother to apply.

A primary reason Chad Hoover, Cambria County,chose to live at the dairy barns was the housing. He also likes to be busy, so was looking for something in addition to classes and his activities. He learned of the opportunity when he toured as a junior in high school, and knew it was something he wanted to pursue.

Hoover said, "It is a different experience, and you learn to balance work and school. The most important thing I learned is time management, since it is important to get studies done and do well in class." The research aspect adds an extra dimension that is also a learning experience.

He echoed Harshberger in the need to pay attention to detail and the responsibility that is given the students, and the importance of communicating with other workers.

For these student workers, their parttime job is anything but routine, and it enhances their college experience and enriches the friendships they have created.