From Blue Hen to ‘powerhouse’ in Delaware agriculture

Garey, who graduated from UD in 1998 with a bachelor of science degree in agriculture with an applied animal science concentration as well as a biology minor, actually began her time at UD as a nursing major. 

As she started doing clinical rotations in the spring of her sophomore year, she realized nursing people was not quite her calling. 

“Animals were easier to work with,” Garey said, “and more appreciative of care.”

Once she switched to the animal science department, Garey never looked back. 

Garey quickly picked up a part-time fall and winter gig with Webb Farm walking the pastures to record beef cattle that were coming into heat. She also did after hours lambing checks, where she checked for ewes in labor or giving birth. By summer, she rotated around Webb’s units, working full time taking care of the various animals from dairy cattle to poultry. 

During her animal science senior seminar with Professor Paul Mackley, Garey had to present a number of educational presentations to the class. One of her presentations was about a typical day on a dairy farm. After the presentation, she said, Mackley pulled her aside, calling her a “natural teacher.” He encouraged her to apply for the statewide animal science agent position. 

“I never thought I would get it,” Garey said. “I was a senior and I didn't have my degree yet.” 

As soon as she graduated in May 1998, Garey began her job as statewide animal science agent with Extension. She has spent her entire career at UD. Today, Garey wears many hats: Kent County director for Cooperative Extension (a job title she picked up in 2020 after taking on the additional administrative responsibility), animal science agent, and the state 4-H youth development animal science program coordinator. 

Based in Dover, Garey works with 4-H and FFA youth around the state on livestock projects for the Delaware State Fair. She visits farms to help Delaware farmers troubleshoot issues, such as problems with pastures, weeds or parasites. She also helps farmers get up to speed on the latest trends, certification requirements  and regulations in animal health for larger animals like horses, cattle and pigs.

“It’s a constant juggle to rebalance and reprioritize,” Garey said. “The next phone call or email that comes in could totally change my plan for the day depending on what people need.” 

In good company

CANR Executive in Residence and former Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Ed Kee praised Garey for her dedication to her career. In particular, he noted Garey’s dedication to working with children and teens who don’t live on a farm, helping them understand agriculture.

“She bridges the gap between the farm world and urban and suburban areas for children,” Kee said, “to get that education or that knowledge base.” 

Kee first met Garey in 1999 when Garey began her UD career. He was immediately impressed that though she didn’t come from an agricultural background, “she had the knowledge base to be successful as an extension agent,” Kee said. “And that knowledge base grew.”

Kee also called attention to Garey’s abilities as an educator. Garey handles judging 4-H animal competitions “smoothly, fairly and effectively,” Kee said, and she has become “well respected” across the state. 

“With her knowledge base, she’s able to convey what people need to know about raising different species of livestock,” Kee said. “She has done that. It has been an outstanding service to agriculture, not only in our state, but outside of our state.”  

Kee continued, “She’s a powerhouse. But she’s never overbearing.”

Kee noted Garey’s career in education and exposing people to agriculture is “critically important,” particularly as the number of farmers, farms and farm acreage continue to decline in Delaware. In 2023, Delaware had about 530,000 farm acres, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. About 50 years ago, Kee said, the state had 700,000 farm acres. 

“Our population is growing,” Kee said. “So for Susan to be able to convey new technologies, new practices that improve the efficiency and increase the output of the farms, That has two effects. It financially helps the farm be stronger. Also, it just helps feed our country.”

Broadening agricultural knowledge

Garey has even been able to take her agricultural knowledge outside of the state. In 2019, Garey was named a Nuffield International Farming Scholar. The program fosters an international network of farmers and agricultural professionals and develops agricultural leaders. 

“Nuffield is about building personal capacity around agricultural issues, your knowledge in agriculture,” Garey said. 

For her Nuffield scholarship, Garey studied sustainable livestock production and looked at more sustainable ways to integrate mixed species grazing into cropping systems.

Garey has also broadened her own knowledge and UD students’ understanding of agriculture through co-leading UD’s winter study abroad program in New Zealand, teaching eager students about sustainable agriculture. 

“It definitely gives you a more global view,” said Garey, about the program. “We tend to be very insular in the United States.”

Garey said she has been especially proud to watch her study abroad students grow and develop in such a short period of time.

As Garey looks ahead to the future, she reflected on what agriculture needs. One of today’s biggest challenges, she said, is the consumer disconnect when it comes to understanding food production and how meat products make it to the dinner plate. That’s why people, she said, are agriculture’s “biggest resource.”

“We're really fortunate in the U.S. that we enjoy such cheap, safe food,” Garey said. “I can say that based on having traveled to and eaten and purchased food in a number of different countries at this point. We by far enjoy that more than any other place in the world. But people are agriculture’s biggest asset and resource, so we want to inspire that next generation to want to continue in those careers.”