People & Partnerships

Patrick Hatfield received a BS in range management from Montana State University (MSU) in 1983, an MS in range science from New Mexico State University in 1985, and a PhD in animal science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1988.  Upon completion of his PhD, Patrick started his career as a research scientist at the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station.  After eight years at the sheep station, Patrick moved to MSU where he continued his research along with teaching five classes and advising students.  In addition to sheep nutrition and production research, Patrick’s research uses a team approach, incorporating expertise from agronomy, soil science, entomology, weed ecology, agricultural economics, and community development.  All specialists focus on the profitable and environmentally sound incorporation of sheep into crop production systems.   Since joining MSU in 1997, Patrick secured more than $7.5 million dollars in extramural competitive funding.  Patrick’s publications include more than 70 peer reviewed journal articles.  In addition to research and teaching, Patrick developed a free, online sheep ration program that has over 2000 active accounts in more than 60 countries.  Patrick has served as major advisor or committee member on 25 graduate committees.   Patrick served as Western Section American Society Animal Science (WSASAS) President in 2003 and was honored with the WSASAS distinguished service award in 2013.  In 2013 Patrick was asked to serve as interim department head and in 2015 he became the permanent head of the Animal and Range Sciences Department.  He and his wife, Nancy, have two children.  Jillian is an animal science graduate from MSU and Sam recently finished service in the U.S. Marine Corps and is a student in business at MSU. For more information on Patrick's research and teaching program go to:

I am an assistant professor of Food and Nutrition and Sustainable Food Systems. I am excited to work at a land-grant university, which supports synergism between a research, teaching, and outreach appointment. My goal is to inspire future food system and nutrition leaders through informed and current research in teaching; facilitate research to solve complex problems in communities related to nutrition and food systems; and provide service to strengthen the educational institution and local community via my teaching and research areas. I teach courses that explore community nutrition, culinary methods and management, and research methods. I rely on problem solving and reflection through current events and practical, hands-on experience to promote systems thinking with my students. My expertise lies in behavioral and social sciences focused on food, nutrition, and human development. As a whole my research investigates how socioecological factors in diverse food environments influence the evolution of nutrition behaviors across the lifespan in three applied areas: (1) school food environment, (2) consumer food environment, and (3) food assistance programs. I co-lead, with Dr. Selena Ahmed, the Food and Health Lab, which provides collaborative space and research facilities for studies addressing society’s most pressing issues of feeding communities with nutritious foods while maintaining the health of our environment. Improving community food security is a central tenant of all of my outreach efforts. For more information see:  http://www.montana.edu/hhd/facultyandstaff/cbyker.html