National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA)

11/21/2025

👋 Hi! I’m Darrin Karcher, Extension Poultry Scientist at Purdue University.

🎓 I grew up in Ohio where my family owned a mail-order hatchery. I attended the Ohio State University for my B.S. in Agricultural Education, went to University of Wisconsin for an Animal Science M.S. focused on Poultry Genetics and concluded by training at Purdue University earning my Animal Science Ph.D. studying Poultry Growth and Development.

❤️ My wife, Elizabeth, and I have 5 kids (Johanna, Adelyn, Emma, Alexander and Gabriel) which keep us busy with theater, softball, baseball and golf. In my free time, I love to consume podcasts, audiobooks and comic books. All of which are best tackled with a neat bourbon.

🐣 I love working with the poultry industries. Every interaction challenges me and them on how we continue to do better as we strive to produce animal protein in an evolving world.

11/07/2025

👋 Hi! I’m Amber DeWitt, Venture Associate at Fulcrum Global Capital.

🎓 I'm the youngest of 4 girls and I was raised on a diversified beef cattle and row crop farm in central Missouri. I'm a proud Kansas State graduate, with two degrees in agricultural economics.

🐖 The animal agriculture industry is near and dear to my heart. I love how the industry honors traditional aspects of farming and also embraces technology.

💎 I would recommend the NIAA leadership program to anyone with a commitment to the industry. This program brings together leaders from all parts of the industry and there is instant camaraderie among the cohort members. Learning with and from friends is the best kind of learning and this program is the perfect place for that.

10/30/2025

👋 Hi! I’m Pierce Bennett, the Industry Relations Specialist for Michigan Farm Bureau.

🐑 I grew up on a small farm in Ohio and have participated in the sheep industry throughout my life. I earned my undergraduate degree in animal science and industry from Kansas State University, and participated on the wool and meats judging teams. I spend my spare time chasing trout and grouse in Michigan, helping on friends and family’s farms, and listening to a good audiobook before bed.

🥩 The livestock industry is a tight-knit group with a deep bond, and I love talking about livestock with like-minded folks. I am passionate about helping farmers and ranchers be successful with their livestock, and that drives me to be my best every day.

💎 NIAA is the convener of great minds, allowing for open and honest discussion on the important topics our industry faces. I am thankful for the opportunity to participate with the NIAA and have gained so many wonderful relationships through the years because of my membership. I couldn’t recommend this organization enough!

10/27/2025

Hauling livestock across state lines soon? Visit Interstate Livestock to know exactly what kind of documentation you need! https://www.interstatelivestock.com/

10/23/2025

The Advanced Training for Animal Agriculture Leaders application and nomination period is open. Apply for this experiential learning program that is uniquely designed for each Cohort. Learn more about the program here. >> https://www.animalagriculture.org/leadership-program/

Dr. Kumar was part of the 3rd Cohort of NIAA's leadership training program.

10/20/2025

Are you curious about becoming an NIAA member?
Membership comes with a number of benefits - register for events at discounted rates, influence industry direction, access exclusive content, and more. Learn more here. >> https://www.animalagriculture.org/membership/

10/14/2025

NIAA has released the White Paper from the Lameness Across Species Roundtable! The Lameness Across Species was hosted by NIAA's Animal Disease Issues & Emergency Management Council to address lameness challenges in all animal agriculture species. The White Paper is complementary to members and event attendees. Check out the White Paper here. >> https://ow.ly/LXV650X0zgK

10/13/2025

Last chance! Join us tomorrow for an engaging webinar introducing the Public Health & Animal Agriculture Communications Guide. This resource was developed by NIAA and CDC and is designed to strengthen how we speak about the complex intersections between public health, food systems, and animal agriculture. Learn more and register, here. >> https://ow.ly/UyoX50X4zya

10/08/2025

Join us October 14 for an engaging webinar introducing the Public Health & Animal Agriculture Communications Guide. This resource was developed by NIAA and CDC and is designed to strengthen how we speak about the complex intersections between public health, food systems, and animal agriculture. Learn more and register, here. >> https://ow.ly/ljnZ50X4zuc

10/07/2025

NIAA's Antibiotics Council will host a webinar featuring a presentation from Dr. Scott Weissman followed by a panel discussion with Dr. Peter Rabinowitz and Dr. Paul Pottinger. This session aims to foster dialogue between sectors and highlight how One Health-informed strategies can accelerate progress in responsible antimicrobial use and resistance mitigation in animal agriculture. Learn more and register here. >>
https://ow.ly/pZz450X4yTf

10/06/2025

Last chance! Join NIAA on tomorrow at 2 p.m. central. as Dr. Michelle Kromm presents the Reagan-Udall Foundation for the FDA's report on Transforming Animal Health in the U.S. for the 21st Century. Learn more and register here. >> https://animalagriculture.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/animalagriculture/event.jsp?event=744&

10/03/2025

👋 Hi! I’m Sarah Metzler, Senior Director of Organizational Communication for Cattlemen’s Beef Board | Beef Checkoff.

🤠 I have led producer communications for the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and the Beef Checkoff since 2018, a role that uses my experience in communications, public relations, marketing, writing, community outreach, and team building every day. I’ve had a career that spans not only agriculture but also private industry, city and county government, media, the performing and visual arts, education, and the nonprofit sector. Before I came to CBB, I had my own marketing and communications consulting company.

🌾 Coming from a family of fifth-generation wheat and milo farmers and cattle ranchers, I was born and raised in my younger years in Yuma, Colorado, and spent 10 years of my childhood in Alaska’s agricultural region. I decided to come back to Colorado in 1998 after graduating from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. I now live with my husband Bob in Littleton, Colorado, with our four teenagers. Outside of work, I love tending my gardens, hunting for treasures in vintage bookstores, restoring old furniture, savoring the best of Scotch whisky, and pursuing any project that gets my hands dirty.

🥰 It seems cliché to say, but I love the people in agriculture. Be it a small farmer on a generational plot, a billion-dollar feed company, a professor of ag economics, or a country fair volunteer, there is just something about those who choose to make their life in the ag sector.

💎 NIAA’s Leadership program is unique because it focuses on advanced leaders – those that are not fresh out of school or new in their roles. Cohort 4 encompassed such a variety of ages, experience, industry, academia – what an opportunity to sit in a room of smart, accomplished leaders in their fields and learn from one another.