Brady Campbell is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal Sciences here at CFAES Wooster Campus where he serves as the State Small Ruminant Extension Specialist. Brady has a unique appointment structure of 80% Extension and 20% Research. Brady is deeply rooted in agriculture, specifically livestock production. He and his wife add to the 4th generation of sheep and swine producers in Brady’s family who are located in southeastern Ohio. Brady is a three-time graduate of OSU, receiving all degrees; B.S. (2015), M.S. (2017), and Ph.D. (2021), in the Department of Animal Sciences. Brady joined OSU in his faculty role on September 15, 2021. Within his Extension and research programs, Brady has two main focal areas; the first of which revolves around energy generation systems, specifically vegetation management within utility-scale solar sites. As the global population continues to grow, the demand for multi-use land management strategies to support the sustainability of our food production system is critical. The second area focuses on the needs for increased efficiency of small ruminant production systems through outreach and research. Topics of interest to improve operation efficiency include management systems and marketing practices as well as animal nutrition and health.
Title and Department: Assistant Professor, Department of Animal Sciences
Describe your work: Improving the efficiency and sustainability of sheep and goat production through Extension education and applied research that can be readily implemented on-farm in real-time.
How has OSU/your career impacted your life? OSU is my home. I completed all three degrees here. The opportunities and experiences that I have been exposed to are priceless. It’s been a great place to begin my career, and I look to many years ahead.
Tell us about your family/pets: My wife and I have been married for 3 years. We have an indoor cat (Fig), a couple of barn cats, more chickens than a household of two should ever have, and of course – sheep! We have his and her flocks: I raise Texel sheep whereas Haley raises Finn sheep.
What is your hometown? Waterford, Ohio
What is something you would like to learn? To be the best shepherd I can be. I continuously learn each day how to better manage my own flock and in turn can use those lessons learned to better support my fellow shepherds and producers in the field.
What is your favorite restaurant or food? My wife’s kitchen. She’s an excellent cook! We enjoy raising, harvesting, and preserving our own food. It doesn't get any fresher than that.
What is a talent or superpower you wish you had? I wish I could turn back time to meet with loved ones that have passed away to thank them one more time for all that they have done for me.
Where is your favorite place to vacation? Scotland! My wife and I have been a few times leading the global education program – Scotland’s Ruminants. Afterall, with the last name of Campbell and raising sheep, it feels like my second home.