Joanne Powell

Joanne Powell serves as Co-Chair of the Department of Animal Science and Instructor at Delaware Valley University. She holds an M.S. in Professional Agriculture from Iowa State University and a B.S. in Animal Science from Delaware Valley University. Her research focuses on cattle (dairy and beef), poultry, meat goats, value-added agricultural marketing, and agritourism, with a strong emphasis on hands-on experiential learning. She previously worked at Merck in animal health research and later as a farm manager at Rutgers University before returning to DelVal.

Education:

• M.S., Professional Agriculture, Iowa State University
• B.S., Animal Science, Delaware Valley University

Research interests include livestock production systems, direct marketing strategies for farm products, and innovative social media outreach to enhance agricultural literacy. She actively promotes student engagement through internships, clubs, and certifications like the Pennsylvania Poultry Technician License. Her teaching methods integrate safety training, livestock handling, and farm management analysis, with practical labs such as operating boiler bird facilities and hosting livestock judging events.

Professional highlights include co-authoring studies on anthelmintic compounds from natural sources (published 2007-2010) and contributing to agricultural journalism through blogs and columns. She advocates for networking and student exploration beyond academics, emphasizing adaptability in career paths, as seen in success stories like a former student thriving in horticultural machinery operations.

Labs/Teams: Oversee the Animal Science Department’s teaching and research operations, including the university’s livestock facilities and agritourism initiatives.