Hello, my name is Sommer Thompson, and I am excited to be a year-long intern. I began my journey with Miner Institute in 2023 as a student in the Summer Experience in Agricultural Research program. During that time, I acquired valuable exposure to studies involving dairy cattle nutrition, health, and behavior. I am enthusiastic to further develop my expertise in animal nutrition and welfare and my goal is to end my time here with the skills to become a dairy cattle nutrition consultant.
Growing up, I have always been an avid outdoorswoman and developed a love of deer and deer hunting. I had a dream that one day I would be able to raise my own deer herd and be able to care for them at my own farm. This dream quickly grew into a goal when I began my academic career. Initially, I was interested in raising deer for the sale of meat and antler products, but after the exposure to some of my studies and research projects, I was fascinated by the unique rumen function of cervids and knew that I wanted to pursue research on the subject of nutrition. Living in the Northeast, deer farms are few and far between and dairy farms are more common. To gain experience, I began working with cows and quickly fell in love with the lifestyle and management techniques.
With a strong educational foundation in Wildlife Ecology (B.S) and Animal Science (Minor) from the University of Maine, I have developed a solid understanding of animal behavior, nutrition and how they relate to the environment around them. During my time in school, I took advantage of opportunities to participate in various club events, classes, and research projects. Among these, the most notable was the Northeastern Student Affiliate (NESA). For two years I participated in this event; the first of those years, as a volunteer staff member when the University of Maine hosted. As an undergraduate, I also had the privilege to acquire a technician certification in the artificial insemination of dairy cows. One of my proudest achievements in school was participating in a club-run dairy show each semester. I had the privilege to train with the same heifer every year and watch her grow from a little calf into a beautiful working dairy cow. I put the work in and was delighted with the opportunity to use her as an example to teach others in my class. Being placed into a leadership role is a comfortable position for me and one of my best memories was watching my mentee win second place in her first show!
In addition to my technical abilities, I've developed strong communication and conflict resolution skills through my recent summer experience as a Park Ranger for the town of Scarborough, Maine. In the past I had always avoided confrontation, but in a job that leaned heavily toward law enforcement, I learned to effectively communicate with people from diverse backgrounds and to approach challenging situations with respect and understanding. I believe these skills will serve me well wherever my future path leads.
I am thrilled to return to Miner Institute and connect with like-minded professionals to explore nutrition-based careers. I am eager to continue learning and growing in this field, and I am looking forward to making a positive impact in the cattle and cervid industry and contributing to the well-being of animals and the people who care for them.
— Sommer Thompson