Jessica Mitchell, Ph.D.

Jessica Mitchell is a Dairy Extension Educator based in Somerset County. Growing up on a small cow-calf operation in Belmont County, Ohio, caring for livestock was one of her first passions. This passion inspired her to pursue graduate school and study dairy cattle behavior and welfare within the Department of Animal Sciences at The Ohio State University, where she earned her B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees.

Following graduate school, Jessica remained at Ohio State as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal Sciences. She later joined the USDA-ARS Livestock Behavior Research Unit, where her research program examined how early-life management practices – such as housing, transport, and weaning – affect calf behavior, health, and productivity.

Jessica joined Penn State Extension in September 2025, where her work centers on calf health and welfare. Her other areas of interest include cow comfort and quality assurance.