Catherine Ballard, M.S.
Adjunct Lecturer (Miner Institute)
Katie grew up in the Finger Lakes region of New York. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science with Honors in Undergraduate Research from the University of Vermont. She received a graduate fellowship from Miner Institute and received her Master’s of Science degree in Animal Science from the University of Vermont. She investigated techniques for in-vitro maturation and fertilization of bovine oocytes. She has been working at Miner Institute since 1987, first as Equine Program Coordinator, and was named Director of Research in 1993. The research program at Miner Institute focuses mainly on agronomy, ruminant nutrition and nutrient cycling. Katie’s main area of interest is reproductive physiology; she has been involved in work with dairy cattle and improving systems for the storage of stallion semen. Katie lives with her family on a bicentennial dairy farm in Georgia, Vermont.
Areas of Expertise and/or Research
Bovine and Equine Reproduction and Director of Research at Minor Institute
Courses Taught
- ASCI 205 Assist teaching Equine Repro. & Mgmt.
- ASCI 234 Advanced Dairy Management
Education
M.S., University of Vermont
B.S., University of Vermont
Contact
Email: ballard@whminer.com
Heather Dann, Ph.D.
Adjunct Assistant Professor (Miner Institute)
Heather grew up on a dairy farm in western NY where she developed a passion for dairy and an appreciation for research. She has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in animal science from Cornell University, a Master’s of Science from Pennsylvania State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. She has been working at Miner Institute since 2004. Her research at Miner focuses on dairy cow nutrition and management. In particular, she has investigated different types of diets for transition cows to help control feed costs and minimize environmental concerns while promoting animal health and productivity. She has also examined management factors important for animal welfare, including stocking density and maternity pen design and management. . In addition to research activities, she is active in training and mentoring undergraduate and post-graduate students through a variety of experiential learning programs at Miner Institute
Areas of Expertise and/or Research
Forage Chemistry, Nutritional Physiology of Dairy Cattle, Interaction of Dairy Cattle Nutrition & Environment
Courses Taught
- ASCI 234 Advanced Dairy Management
Education
Ph.D., University of Illinois
M.S., Penn State University
B.S., Cornell University
Contact
Email: dann@whminer.com
Wanda Emerich, M. Ext. Ed.
Dairy Outreach Coordinator (Miner Institute)
Wanda is responsible for the coordination of educational programs for students, farmers, and agribusiness organizations through events such as Dairy Day, Crop Congress, Farm Days for Fifth Graders, farm tours, and other educational programs and agribusiness training sessions. She is responsible for overall leadership of the 14-week college student internship program, Summer Experience in Farm Management, and coordinates the spring semester Dairy Scholar Program. She earned both her B.S. in Animal Science and M.Ext.Ed. from the University of Vermont. In addition to receiving the Good Neighbor Award from the New England Jersey Breeders Association and Vermont Jersey Breeders Association, she is also on the Board of Directors for Vermont. Wanda serves on the Program Committee for the Northeast Regional Dairy Challenge and is on the Board of Directors for the North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge, currently serving as Program Chair. She is also the Cattle Superintendent for the Clinton County Fair and the Champlain Valley Exposition and on the organizing committee for the Vermont Dairy Producers Association.
Education
M. Ext. Ed., University of Vermont
B.S., University of Vermont
Courses Taught
- ASCI 234 Advanced Dairy Management
Contact
Email: emerich@whminer.com
Richard Grant, Ph.D.
Adjunct Professor (Miner Institute)
Rick grew up on a dairy farm near Potsdam, NY. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from Cornell University and a Ph.D. in Ruminant Nutrition from Purdue University. Rick spent 13 years at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln as a professor of ruminant nutrition and extension dairy specialist. His areas of interest include forage and non-forage sources of fiber, carbohydrate nutrition, and dairy cattle behavior. He has been president at Miner Institute since 2003. As president, his primary role is to provide leadership to Institute staff as they work toward the common goal of optimizing the crop-animal-environment interface through research and educational programs. In 2010, Rick was awarded the Pioneer Hi-Bred Forage Award recognizing outstanding research and/or educational contributions in the area of forage production, processing, storage, or utilization. He was also awarded the 2015 Nutrition Professionals Inc. Applied Dairy Nutrition Award, recognizing outstanding achievement in research, teaching or extension in applied dairy nutrition. He holds adjunct faculty positions at the University of Vermont, Cornell University and Plattsburgh State University.
Areas of Expertise and/or Research
Dairy Nutrition
Education
Ph.D., Purdue University
B.S., Cornell University
Courses Taught
- ASCI 234 Advanced Dairy Management
Contact
Email: grant@whminer.com
Jamie Shaw, B.S.
Adjunct Lecturer
Jamie Shaw a part-time lecturer with the University of Vermont since 1997, is a behavioral consultant for several Vermont animal shelters. She has conducted seminars in various parts of the U.S.A., and recently she and Sam Levenberg began Random Rescue where they house, train and then place homeless dogs.
Her business, The Dog School, located in Williston, Vermont teaches Dog-to-Dog Communication classes, agility and obedience classes, and offers behavioral consultations.
Jamie's book, Dog to Dog Communication: The Right Way to Socialize Your Dog is available on Amazon.com
In February 2008 Jamie was featured in the monthly business magazine, Business People - Vermont, in an article entitled "Paw and Order."
Stuart White, Ph.D.
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Areas of Expertise and/or Research
Resource management, mountain farming systems and land use, South American camelids (especially Alpaca)
Education
Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison
M.S., University of Wisconsin-Madison
A.B., Harvard College
Courses Taught
- ASCI 298F Boot Camp in Alpaca Husbandry -- Travel Course
Contact
Email: stuart.white@uvm.edu