Nathanael Mooney, Campus Carrier staff writer

Earlier this semester, Berry hired a new beef operations manager in the Agricultural Operations Department. Lynn Greeson is a Berry alumnus and has several plans for how to improve the department in this new role.

“I’m in the process of changing a lot of things,” Greeson said. “I’m going to try to expand the beef cow herd and I am working with the student enterprise organization to start a branded beef program that has Berry College branded beef that students can market privately.” 

Greeson is working closely with student enterprises to get their products into the greater Rome-Floyd community. Greeson also has a set plan for how he will expand the herd. 

“This year, we have calves being born now, and with this crop of cows we will keep them all and come breeding season, we will come back through and take out the ones that are undesirable for [breeding] and keep the rest for production,” Greeson said. 

He hopes to double the size of the herd from approximately 200 cattle to 400 over the next three years, although he is prepared to face challenges such as the inevitable loss of some calves. With these changes, Greeson wants to remain true to his purpose for being at Berry.

“My main purpose at this level is to give the students some practical, hands-on field experience,” Greeson said. “They are going to get some stuff out here with me they won’t necessarily get in the classroom.”

Greeson has 19 student workers in his crew and works alongside them to make sure the cattle is fed, the pasture and fencing is maintained and that any new cattle are tagged and tracked. 

“My crew does most of the feeding for animals,” Greeson said. “They all take the animals to the processing plant and pick the meat up. They pretty much do everything except the actual butchering part. We put a lot of it on the students.”

All types of students can work with an animal unit such as this one, but most commonly animal science majors seek out this work. Junior Carolyn Smith and sophomore Lydia Whitlock have both spent time working under Greeson. Whitlock speaks highly of Greeson.

“He respects our abilities and puts all of his trust in us,” Whitlock said. “If I’m not feeling confident about something, he has full confidence in me.” 

Good communication is a necessity when you work alongside animals, and Greeson has helped the students develop those skills. A big part of that communication is working through mistakes and challenges. Whitlock thinks these mistakes are an important part of the work experience.

“A lot of mistakes can happen at work,” Whitlock said. “I know I have learned a lot from any mistakes I have made in the past, and it made me more aware and taught me how to slow down and pay more attention to things that can be passed on.” 

Many of the student workers who work with Greeson are on board with his plans for expansion. Smith thinks highly of the idea of expanding the herd.

“I think it’d be really cool, because we definitely have the space for it,” Smith said. “It would provide more experiences for students to work with the cattle.”

According to Greeson, the department is always looking for more interested students. He encourages students to step out of their comfort zone.

“It’s outdoors, and it’s hard work, but it’s really rewarding,” Greeson said. This is the type of work where you can step back and actually see what you’ve done. That’s important to mental health a lot of times, so it’s very rewarding type work.”