Mike grew up in Hilmar California, in the middle of the San Joaquin Valleys dairy country working alongside of his father on a dairy farm. After high school, Mike went to work as a herdsman and feed manager for Clauss Dairy Farms, one of the most prolific registered Jersey herds in California where he developed my passion for working with cattle. He holds a degree in Applied Animal Science from the College of Southern Idaho along with being a graduate of the Leadership Idaho Agriculture program.
Since 2010, Mike shifted his career to the processor side of the dairy industry and today is the Milk Procurement Dairy Sustainability Specialist for Glanbia Nutritionals in Twin Falls, Idaho. In this role, he oversees all animal welfare evaluations since version 1.0 of FARM along with other sustainability initiatives and customer outreach. Mike is a FARM certified trainer and is heavily involved in the Magic Valley Dairy Heifer Program as a steering committee member and 4H leader.