"Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship" seeks more farm sites

GrassWorks, Inc. is actively seeking new educational farms to host enthusiastic next-generation graziers in its Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship program.

In addition to providing new farmers with comprehensive training, the Apprenticeship Program also emphasizes new models of investment and farm transfer for established dairy farmers.

Any grazier who wants to help shape the future of dairy by transferring his or her knowledge and who meets the criteria of five years of grazing experience can apply to become a Master Dairy Grazier.

GrassWorks has partnered with The Farm Center as well as the Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy Farmers and Ranchers at UW-Madison to expand and strengthen the program and has received a three-year grant from USDA-National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)'s Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP). On September 30th USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced program recipients, stating that $18 million has been designated to support programs that will help transition our nation's agriculture to the next generation of farmers. The GrassWorks Apprenticeship Program was among 36 projects that were awarded funding support.

To find out more about the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship, contact Joseph Tomandl, III: 715-560-0389 or cjtom@hughes.net. Applications for both Dairy Grazing Apprentices and Master Dairy Graziers can be found at www.grassworks.org.