Education: B.S., The Ohio State University; M.S., University of Wisconsin - Madison; Ph.D., Purdue University
Extension Activities:
Dr. Karcher has been charged with developing a strong poultry
extension program. His interactions with the industry revolve around organizing
educational programs in the Midwest with the Multi-State Poultry Health and
Management School, Multi-State Poultry Nutrition Conference, and Midwest
Poultry Federation education program. He
serves on the Board of Directors for the National Egg Quality School, Poultry
Health Management School and Midwest Poultry Federation. Dr.
Karcher has developed an Extension program that improves poultry production, regardless of scale, and is grounded
in science.
He has focused on engaging directly with
the small flock audience, many of whom have little to no connection to
Extension, in an effort to help them become successful and to have a positive
poultry interaction. Darrin’s interactions
with youth revolve around enhancing their knowledge of poultry, developing life
skills, and igniting an interest in commercial poultry job opportunities in the
future. He continues to seek grant dollars to establish a competitive
applied research program to address producers' concerns focusing on turkey
skeletal issues and laying hen management. His
research projects are focused on addressing industry concerns in meat birds and
laying hens. His program’s focus is poultry well-being coupled with food safety
and quality as impacted by management practices, physiology and nutrition.