BROOKINGS, S.D. — As South Dakota celebrates Dairy Month with its trademark milk, cheese, and famous SDSU ice cream, South Dakota State University’s Department of Dairy and Food Science is serving up something brand new: a direct pathway to a booming career.
Beginning this August, the university is launching a two-year Associate of Science degree in Dairy Technology. Designed to meet the massive demand of a rapidly growing regional industry, the program gives students a fast track into high-paying, rewarding careers.
South Dakota’s dairy sector is one of the fastest-growing in the nation, boasting an annual growth rate of more than 8% over the last four years. This rapid expansion has created an urgent need for qualified professionals.
Over the last 10 years, South Dakota’s dairy industry has transitioned from a steady agricultural sector into one of the most explosive economic engines in the state. Driven by pro-agriculture state policies, massive regional investments, and an influx of producers relocating from states like California, South Dakota has solidified its reputation as America’s fastest-growing dairy hub.
The dairy industry now generates approximately $7.2 billion annually for South Dakota’s economy. To put this in perspective, the total economic impact (production and processing combined) was valued at roughly $2.4 billion a decade ago.
“Dairy Month celebrates dairy’s important role in our economy and society, and this new degree program can help to strengthen the dairy industry in our state and region,” said Londa Nwadike, David A. Thompson Endowed Department Head of Dairy and Food Science. “There are many rewarding, well-paying careers available… and getting a degree can help open doors for students.”
The new Dairy Technology program is built around two distinct tracks, allowing students to tailor their education to their specific interests. Both tracks pair traditional classroom learning with immersive, hands-on experience in Brookings-based facilities.
- Dairy Products Track: Focuses on the science and art of manufacturing delicious, nutritious dairy foods. Students will gain real-world experience working directly inside the Davis Dairy Plant.
- Dairy Production Track: Focuses on modern dairy cattle management and milk production. Students will get hands-on experience assisting with cutting-edge research projects at the SDSU Dairy Research and Training Facility.
Built with direct feedback from local industry leaders and current dairy workers looking to upskill, the curriculum is designed to be highly flexible.
The associate degrees are completely stackable. This means graduates can immediately enter the workforce after two years, or seamlessly transition into a four-year bachelor’s degree program without losing any time.
| Two-Year Associate Track | Seamless Four-Year Bachelor’s Transition |
| Dairy Products | B.S. in Dairy Manufacturing |
| Dairy Production | B.S. in Dairy Production |
Note: The department also offers a four-year degree in Food Science for students looking to expand their expertise into food products beyond the dairy aisle.
The first cohort of Dairy Technology students will hit the ground running this August.
Interested students can apply through the standard SDSU undergraduate application portal. For more information about the program, curriculum, or application process, prospective students can reach out to department recruiter Cheyenne Edmundson or visit the Department of Dairy and Food Science website.
