In April, the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship program, based in Wisconsin, launched a new web presence at www.dairygrazingapprenticeship.org. Progressive Dairyman recently caught up with DGA Communications Coordinator Bridget O'Meara to provide some information about the new site.

Q. Why was the website developed?
O'MEARA: Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship, an employment and training program in “managed grazing” dairy production, has launched a new independent website that is designed to grow with the program, serve the grazing community and ultimately strengthen Wisconsin’s dairy industry.

It features news items, program highlights, case studies and links to partners as well as information about apprenticeship and online applications for established dairy producers/employers (master dairy graziers) and aspiring farmers/managers (dairy grazing apprentices).

The new internal database is intended to improve outcomes for participants and increase program capacity as DGA expands throughout Wisconsin and the region.

Q. Who should use it?
O'MEARA: The website is an accessible, user-friendly resource for all current and aspiring dairy farmers who are interested in grazing, whether or not they are involved in the program. The internal database of apprentice candidates is accessible only to DGA Applicants and approved master dairy graziers who want to participate in the program.

Q. Is there a cost to use it?
O'MEARA: No. There is no fee to enter the site or program. However, this is not an internship program; masters/employers are responsible for fulfilling obligations to the program including paying an apprentice a starting wage of at least $8 to start (or in-kind compensation such as housing, fuel, equity in cattle, etc.).

Q. What are some unique features?
O'MEARA: The most appealing aspect of the website is the focus, clarity, and accessibility of its content and layout. It’s very easy to navigate. For participants, the internal database improves the search experience and makes it easier to find a successful match.

Approved masters can log into the system to search for potential apprentices by area seeking placement (such as central Wisconsin or southeastern Minnesota or "anywhere") or by keyword (such as “organic” or “herdsman”).

They can browse search results and simply click on a promising candidate to view the entire profile. Apprentice candidates are able to log back in to the site to view and edit their profile to keep it current.

Q. How does the program work?
O'MEARA: It is composed of 4,000 paid hours of training over two years (the equivalent of a full time job). 3,712 of those hours are on-the-farm experience under the guidance of an approved master dairy grazier.

The other 288 hours are paid related instruction, which include courses through the Wisconsin Technical College System and University of Wisconsin as well as pasture walks, farming conferences and peer-to-peer discussion groups.

Participants become dairy grazing apprentices, journey dairy graziers and finally master dairy graziers themselves on a career path that draws on existing support structure and places experienced farmers at the center of the educational process.

DGA provides apprentices and master financial planning services through Cadwallader Consulting, LLC, and is developing models of equity building, start-up and farm transfer.

Involvement as a master dairy grazier opens up many opportunities. The program allows experienced dairy graziers to share and transfer knowledge to the next generation.

An apprentice will be an asset to an existing operation during the two-year learning process and may go on to build equity for his or her own farm or manage a grazing dairy. Masters may eventually transfer the farm to this person who understands the operation better than anyone.

DGA provides financial planning support and alternative investment models such as equity building, start up and farm transfer. A master's investment in and connection to the next generation of skilled dairy graziers makes a difference in his or her own operation as well as in the life of someone who is willing and capable of owning and operating a grazing dairy. PD

Learn more about the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship program in this 2010 article from Progressive Dairyman.