Kim Cassida

Dr. Kim Cassida is an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in Forages & Cover Crops at Michigan State University’s Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, within the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources. Her work focuses on sustainable agroecosystems through forage and cover crops, emphasizing alfalfa and grass management for livestock systems. She holds a Ph.D. in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of Maine, an M.S. in Nutrition from Penn State, and a B.S. in Animal Science from the University of Maine.

Research interests include integrated crop-livestock systems, soil-plant interactions, and perennial pasture management. Her extension programs address practical challenges like alfalfa autotoxicity, frost seeding, and drought-resistant forage strategies. She led a $946K grant to study alfalfa autotoxicity mechanisms and collaborates with farmers through the Forage Connection initiative.

Recent articles highlight trends in forage sustainability, crop rotation solutions, and climate-resilient agricultural practices. Her outreach emphasizes bridging research and farmer needs via courses, field days, and emergency forage solutions.