Meet alumna Jackie Mudd: From dairy farm roots to global dairy leadership

From her roots on a dairy farm to serving as the 2022 National Jersey Queen and completing the Fred Stout Experience, alumna Jackie Mudd is paving her way as a rising leader in the dairy industry.

Growing up on a small northern Indiana dairy farm, Mudd’s family milked around 50 mostly Holstein cows. Active in both 4-H and FFA, she developed a deep passion for dairy through showing cattle and competing in dairy judging.

“My love for dairy was evident from an early age, but those organizations fueled the flames,” Mudd said.

As a Purdue undergraduate, Mudd immersed herself in opportunities that strengthened her skills and broadened her network. She was involved in the Dairy Challenge Team, Dairy Judging Team, Dairy Club and the Sigma Alpha sorority.

Through Dairy Challenge, students analyze dairy operations and present recommendations to producers. Mudd said the experience opened her eyes to different production scales and management styles.

“I came from a small farm, so it was really cool to see the thought process behind larger operations and making them more efficient,” Mudd said. “Being invited onto those farms and getting to look at their records was such a unique experience. It made me think about how I could bring some of those ideas back to our farm to make it more efficient.”

Mudd also competed on the Dairy Judging Team, which evaluates dairy cows and heifers at intercollegiate contests. During her time on the team, Purdue won first overall at the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE).

“Dairy judging made me realize how much I enjoy helping younger exhibitors at county fairs,” Mudd said. “It gave me confidence in my own abilities and reminded me how much I love working with kids and being part of 4-H.”

In addition to her other collegiate experiences, Mudd served as president and showmanship chair for the dairy club, and she says those leadership roles, along with her involvement in Sigma Alpha, helped her form lifelong friendships and industry connections.

Her passion for the breed led her to be crowned 2022 National Jersey Queen, representing and promoting Jersey cattle and the benefits of Jersey milk across the country.

Two mentors, James Krotz, coordinator of career services and alumni relations, and Jackie Boerman, associate professor of animal sciences, were particularly influential during Mudd’s time at Purdue.

“James was always supportive and willing to run with any idea I had, and Dr. Boerman was someone I could always lean on for advice, especially while leading the dairy club,” Mudd said. “She was always there and always willing to listen.”

Mudd graduated in May 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in animal sciences, with a concentration in animal production and industry. She advises current students to take advantage of every opportunity that comes their way.

“This is your time to learn and grow,” Mudd said. “Take advantage of the opportunities while you can because you won’t always have this time in the future.”

After graduation, Mudd attended the U.S. Dairy Education and Training Consortium in Clovis, New Mexico. The consortium is a six-week program combining classroom instruction and hands-on experience on local dairy farms.

“It really opened my eyes to a different way of dairy farming,” Mudd said. “The climate and facilities in New Mexico are so different from Indiana. It showed me that there isn’t just one right way to farm — it’s about finding what works best for your operation.”

In September, Mudd represented the U.S. at the Young Breeders School in Belgium, where participants from around the world honed their skills in showmanship, animal presentation, marketing and judging.

“It was incredible to meet people from all over the world who share the same passion,” Mudd said. “Being under one roof with that much enthusiasm for the dairy industry was an amazing experience.”

Most recently, Mudd began her Fred Stout Experience with the American Jersey Cattle Association, completing an on-farm internship at Kilgus Farmstead and Country Store in Fairbury, Illinois. There, she’s gaining firsthand experience in creamery operations, from making gelato and bottling milk to giving farm tours and helping plan the store’s grand reopening.

“I’m learning something new every day,” Mudd said. “Whether it’s in the creamery, with the cows or in the storefront, I want to understand every part of the process.”

Her experiences have inspired her to pursue her ultimate goal of owning her own creamery.

“The dairy industry has provided me with so many opportunities,” Mudd said. “There’s no single way to be successful in dairy farming. It’s about finding your niche and doing what works for you.”

According to Krotz, Mudd’s drive and passion set her apart.

"When Jackie first told me her post-graduation plans, I was awestruck. I always knew she was brimming with potential and always took advantage of every possible opportunity to advance her career in the dairy industry, but I was floored by her ambition to purchase a dairy and start her own creamery at age 22!” Krotz said. “She possesses that ‘it factor’ that's hard to define but will make her a very successful businesswoman in animal agriculture. I plan to visit every time I'm in northeast Indiana!"