Q&A with NDFS faculty member Daren Cornforth

1. Where did you grow up? Montrose, Colorado
2. What Universities did you get your degree(s) from and why did you choose to go there? I received my BS and MS in Animal Science from Colorado State University (Ft. Collins, CO) and PhD from Michigan State University (E. Lansing, Michigan). I went to CSU because of my background and interest in agriculture. I had been on the campus several times for state 4-H events, and I liked it. Also, my dad was a CSU Animal Science alum, and that influenced me.
3. What got you interested in Ag? I grew up on a small farm, and participated in 4-H events and the county fair from age 9-18 (4-H lifer). The only other major I considered was natural resources. I worked for the Colorado State Forest Service during the summers of my freshman – junior years.
4. What do you want to achieve while here at Utah State University? It is satisfying to see students in my classes complete their degree and go on to find a job and succeed in their profession or business. It is also gratifying to have one’s research published and thereby make a contribution towards acquiring new knowledge and improve food safety, or development of new products and processes. I hope to continue to do both in years to come.
5. What are some of your hobbies? Horse feeding (which I do more of than actual riding). I like to get outside on weekends, hiking/riding in summer, and snowshoeing in winter. I like big game hunting in the fall, and shed antler collecting the rest of the year.
6. What is your favorite food? Hot chili in winter, BBQ steak or shish kabob spicy chicken in summer, sweet potatoes baked in brown sugar, cinnamon toast, grill cheese sandwiches, fresh bread, chocolate cake, caramel pecan sweet rolls; and everything tastes better when I’m hungry after mowing the lawn, or returning from a hike. So, food science is a good fit for me.
7. Who has had the biggest influence in your life? Hard to pick one. My dad, who taught me to work, and took me hiking and hunting. My mom, who made me finish my homework and encouraged me to do my best in school and hobbies. My granddad Booth who encouraged all his grandkids to go to college, and be smart (frugal) with money. And my PhD advisor, Dr. Al Pearson at Michigan State University. He was a USU-ADVS alum, and it was he who helped me complete my degree and informed me of a job opening at USU in 1978. I have been at USU ever since, and feel very fortunate to have spent my career here.
8. Where is your favorite vacation spot? Again, hard to pick one. Fishing, hiking, camping in western Wyoming in late summer fall in the Gray’s River area near Afton, or Yellowstone in September. Also, camping/exploring in southern Idaho around Franklin in October. And close to home, Blacksmith fork and Logan canyon in winter and spring.
9. What is your favorite season? Late winter and spring, to view wintering wildlife, and then to see things green up.
10. Do you have a favorite quote, if so what is it? “Do something worthwhile every day” (by me to my kids). This was the basic message of my parents to me, stated in my own words. And in addition to work, something worthwhile can includes fun things, hobbies, reading, watching TV (always something stimulating and educational on the history or discovery channel), or attending events where one can get out and interact with others.