Mike Westendorf, Professor of Animal Sciences, has retired after 31 years at the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences.
Dr. Mike Westendorf, Animal Sciences Extension Specialist and Professor, retired on January 1, 2025, after 31 years at the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences.
Dr. Westendorf grew up on a small dairy farm in Idaho before studying animal science at the University of Idaho as an undergraduate, then earning his PhD at the University of Kentucky in Animal Science and Ruminant Nutrition. It was in graduate school where he met his wife, Daphne, who is from the east coast, which eventually brought him to New Jersey. He came to Rutgers in 1993 as an Assistant Extension Specialist after a stint in Washington, D.C. working as a Congressional Science Fellow.
In addition to his work with Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Westendorf has researched food and byproduct residues as animal feeds, and animal waste management and utilization. His career has allowed him to work directly with farmers across New Jersey, developing technical support programs and finding productive and innovative ways to manage their farms. Dr. Westendorf also had a teaching appointment where he taught upper-level courses in animal production and management.
“Farmers are the salt of the earth,” said Westendorf. “I’ve always had a background in agriculture myself, coming from a farm and studying animal science all the way through my career. I’m interested in providing solutions for the issues that farmers deal with. That’s what gravitated me to extension services and to work directly with farmers.”
Much of his work has been in collaboration with faculty and staff at Rutgers Cooperative Extension, the State Department of Agriculture, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the NJ Farm Bureau.
“The thing I enjoyed most of all was working directly with farmers and students. I’ve taught courses since I arrived at Rutgers and I’ve made many visits to farms with students,” said Westendorf. “I enjoyed being able to interact with students and further their education and ability to think and learn about agriculture.”
In his retirement, Westendorf plans to do what he’s always enjoyed – reading and writing – primarily his family history, and regional travel to New England and other locations on the east coast.
His advice for future students, animal science or otherwise: “First, get a variety of experiences other than purely academic. Second, find something you enjoy and can commit yourself to. This will broaden your horizon and increase your effectiveness in everything you do.”
