Brookings Main Campus
Innovate with dairy products.
Dairy products are vital components of nutritious diets around the world. Dairy manufacturing focuses on the processing of high quality, safe and diverse dairy products. Graduates will develop a working knowledge of the chemical, physical and microbiological properties of select dairy foods. They will also be exposed to dairy/food process engineering principles and facilities management, leading to numerous exciting and diverse job opportunities all around the country.
The state-of-the-art Davis Dairy Plant provides hands-on experience through laboratory and employment opportunities along with commercial internship experiences. Graduates will become leaders in the dairy processing industry.
Scholarships Awarded Annually
Starting Salaries
Hands on learning opportunities
The Davis Dairy Plant is connected to the Alfred Dairy Science Hall on the SDSU campus, and allows students to gain hands-on experience in farm-to-table dairy processing. The Davis Dairy Plant employs part time student workers, and processes approximately one million pounds of milk each year.
Is it for you?
This program will be a good fit if you:
- Are interested in opportunities for personal growth.
- Have an interest in creating new foods in the market.
- Enjoy intellectual challenges within food manufacturing, safety and overall quality.
- Have a desire to lead and collaborate with others in an exciting life-long career.
- Find the psychology, marketing, and perception of food by consumers fascinating.
Career Opportunities
- Ingredient marketing and communications specialist
- Sensory science specialist
- State or federal inspector/auditor
- Quality assurance/control supervisor or manager
- Research and development specialist
- Food regulation and policy advisor
- Food or flavor chemist or researcher
- Food manufacturing plant manager
- Dairy microbiologist or lab technician
- Dairy manufacturing engineer
Recent Employers
- Valley Queen Cheese
- Wells Blue Bunny
- Schreiber Foods
- AMPI
- IFF - International Flavors and Fragrances
- Prairie Farms, Inc
- Lactalis
- Bel Brands, USA
- Fairlife, LLC
- Agropur, Inc.
Internship Opportunities
- Midwest Dairy
- Wells Blue Bunny
- Stensland Dairy
- Prairie Farms
- AMPI
- Valley Queen Cheese
- Grain Millers Inc
- Agropur, Inc.
- Schreiber Foods
- Great Lakes Cheese
Suggested Certificates
Suggested Dual Majors
- Dairy Production (B.S.)
- Agricultural Education, Communication and Leadership (B.S.) - Agricultural Education Specialization
- Agricultural Education, Communication and Leadership (B.S.) - Communication Specialization
- Agricultural Education, Communication and Leadership (B.S.) - Leadership Specialization
- Food Science (B.S.)
- Chemistry (B.S.)
- Mechanical Engineering (B.S.)
- Microbiology (B.S.)
- Biology (B.S.)
- Electrical Engineering (B.S.)
Suggested Minors
Undecided or still deciding on a major and future career?
If you are uncertain about your major and have questions about career planning, you are not alone. Choosing a major or career can be a very difficult decision. The exploratory studies program may be a good fit if you are unsure of your major and career focus. Entering the university in the exploratory studies program will help you gain confidence and valuable insights on majors and minors available at SDSU and future career choices.
In addition, FOCUS 2 Career, a self-guided assessment, education and career planning program, will help you reflect on your values, interests, personality traits and skills to provide valuable insight as you explore major and career choices. SDSU students may access FOCUS 2 Career by using their student email and password. After completing FOCUS 2 Career, you may find it helpful to discuss your results with a career coach in the Office of Career Development.