The dairy farms at Penn Stateâs Dairy Complex are a cornerstone in the Penn State community and have been for years. Through the pandemic, the farms have seen minimal impacts.
With a herd size of around 500 cows, the dairy farms supply Penn Stateâs Berkey Creamery with milk for its ice cream. Penn State students can get a taste â literally â of what the farms have to offer since its milk also supplies the many dining halls across campus.
The farms employ up to nine full-time workers and around 20 students every semester, according to Nadine Houck, co-manager of Penn State Dairy Farms. Employees are responsible for milking, cleaning stalls and taking care of young calves. Student employees enjoy hands-on experience and access to living quarters, which attracts many â like Johnna Calvert.