SDState - Department of Dairy & Food Science

09/05/2026

09/04/2026

Name these Jackrabbit Alumni! 🐰

Throwback Thursday 🧀 From judging cheese to leading dairy companies nationwide, SDSU's dairy students are proof that donor support pays off.

Alumnus Neil Kucker won a national title with the Dairy Products team back in 1976. Decades later, he's still giving back funding the travel, samples and training that help students compete on the national stage.

This is what your donation to SDSU really does. Donate on Sept. 10 on One Day for STATE to make an impact. 💛💙

📖 Read the full story: https://www.sdstate.edu/agriculture-food-environmental-sciences/cafesblog/support-donors-helping-set-jackrabbits-dairy

09/02/2026

Visit our activity table today at the South Dakota State Fair Nordby Hall until 4 PM. We’ll be doing fun dairy food activities and boba juice popping pearls! Thank you to SDSU Extension 4-H for the invitation! 🍀

09/02/2026

Visit our activity table today at the South Dakota State Fair’s Nordby Hall until 4 PM. We’ll be doing fun dairy food activities and boba juice popping pearls! Thank you to South Dakota 4-H for the invitation! 🍀

09/01/2026

We enjoyed visiting with Milbank Agriculture Department students yesterday! Shout out to Raul, a junior dairy manufacturing student ambassador and alumnus of Milbank High School, for joining to share his personal experiences in the classroom and at Valley Queen Cheese!🧀

08/31/2026

🔆Student Highlight🔆

Tucker Anderson is a senior Dairy Manufacturing major with a minor in food safety. He is from De Smet, SD. Read more about Tucker's experiences at SDSU and what drew him to his major!

Why did you choose SDSU? 🐰
"Although I was unsure of my major, SDSU had many options that I knew I would find the right fit for me. It was close to home, both of my parents are alumni, and overall, the agricultural focuses within the school helped solidify my decision." - Tucker

What drew you to your major? 🧀
"The high percentage of job placement post-graduation, the opportunities within my major, and with South Dakota being one of the fastest growing states for dairy, I knew is wold the right fit for my future." - Tucker

Wha has been your most memorable SDSU experience? 🏈
"Being recognized during a quarter break of a home football game for accomplishments in National Dairy Judging was a standout moment at SDSU." - Tucker

What has been your favorite class and why? 🍦
"Dairy Production was by far my favorite class, as it went in depth on some of the equipment and processes of different types of dairy products." - Tucker

Where did you do your internships at and what knowledge did you gain? 🥛
"I was a manufacturing intern at Bel Brands as well as working at Valley Queen Cheese in the whey and cheese plants. These internships helped me gain new experiences with different processes and products, while also allowing me to apply some of the things I learned in school to real-world situations." - Tucker

What is your advice for students looking at SDSU? 🎒
"To check out all your options (including the Dairy Department), get involved on campus, and build connections; because you never know when you'll see somebody down the road." - Tucker

08/28/2026

We are actively recruiting for our latest two-year degree in dairy technology. Industry is seeking professionals ready to support the farm management side or the food processing side of the dairy industry. Reach out with any questions you may have regarding this new degree with our recruiter, [email protected].

08/26/2026

Our South Dakota State University team had the privilege of competing in the 19th Annual Intermountain Milk Processors Association (IMPA) New Product Development Competition earlier this month! ✨

The team's proposed product ➡ 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝘆𝗩𝗶, a refreshing, high-protein beverage designed to upcycle acid whey while delivering 10g of protein (20% Daily value, branded an "Excellent Source of Protein") with no artificial colors added.

𝘛𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘥:
🔹Priyamvada Thorakkttu
🔹Gabi Bean
🔹 Vaishali Poswal

After months of lab formulation, sensory optimization, and manufacturing scale-up planning, the team presented their technical design, business pitch, and live samples to an esteemed panel of dairy industry executives and plant leaders.

This competition connected our students to processors, industry experts, and fellow student teams from Brigham Young University, Utah State University, and Cornell University with a shared goal of sustainable dairy food innovation! 🍨

Special appreciation to Dr. Prafulla Salunke, for advising the team! 🥛

08/24/2026

Our department is ready to welcome a new semester and new faces around campus and within our department! 🐰

𝗧𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 #1:
🔹Eat a protein rich breakfast🍳
🔹Introduce yourself before class 📚
🔹Meet a new friend and grab SDSU ice cream together 🍨
🔹Find out there's a class designed to make your favorite dairy foods!
🔹Embark on an academic and career path towards 𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗟𝗗! 🌎

If an academic degree with hands-on learning, exceptional scholarships, job security, and lucrative salaries post-graduation interests you, stop by our office in Alfred Dairy Science Hall or contact our recruiter at [email protected].

08/22/2026

We appreciate Dairy Star sharing our two-year degree in Dairy Technology! 🐮

As students prepare to head back to campuses across the country, South Dakota State has responded to growing workforce demands across the dairy industry. SDSU is developing a new associate of science degree in dairy technology.

Learn more about the new program on DairyStar.com: https://dairystar.com/stories/more-options-at-south-dakota-state,31250?