DAIRY GRAZING APPRENTICESHIP INC
Programs
Program 1 [2020]
DAIRY GRAZING APPRENTICESHIP (DGA) IS A 501(C)3 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION AND AN ACCREDITED FORMAL APPRENTICESHIP IN "MANAGED GRAZING" DAIRY PRODUCTION. THE APPRENTICESHIP CONSISTS OF 4000 HOURS OVER TWO YEARS AND COMBINES ON-FARM EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING UNDER AN APPROVED MENTOR DAIRY GRAZIER WITH RELATED INSTRUCTION, WHICH INCLUDES FORMAL COURSEWORK THROUGH ACCREDITED EDUCATION PROVIDERS, DISCUSSION GROUPS, PASTURE WALKS, AND FARMING CONFERENCES. DGA DEVELOPED THE CURRICULUM AND WORK-BASED COMPETENCIES THAT ARE REGISTERED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR FOR THE OCCUPATION OF DAIRY GRAZIER. ENTRANTS BECOME APPRENTICES, JOURNEY DAIRY GRAZIER, AND EVENTUALLY MENTORS THEMSELVES ON A CAREER PATH THAT HAS BEEN USED IN THE TRADES FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY. THE ORGANIZATION CONDUCTS OUTREACH AND RECRUITS POTENTIAL MENTORS AND APPRENTICES, ASSESSES AND APPROVES MENTOR (EMPLOYER) FARM SITES, COORDINATES RELATED INSTRUCTION COMPONENTS, MONITORS THE MENTORING RELATIONSHIP, TRACKS APPRENTICE PROGRESS THROUGH ON-THE-JOB TRAINING AND RELATED INSTRUCTION HOURS AND REQUIREMENTS, AND PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL, TECHNICAL, AND BUSINESS PLANNING SUPPORT SERVICES TO APPRENTICESHIP PARTICIPANTS.IN 2020, DGA BROUGHT ON NEW MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING COMMITTEE (NATC) TO BETTER REPRESENT THE 15 STATES AND EIGHT PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE NOW INCLUDE. DGA WELCOMED ADAM WARTHESON, WHO ALSO SERVES AS THE DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT & INDUSTRY AFFAIRS FOR ORGANIC VALLEY/CROPP, TO THE BOARD AND MENTOR DAIRY GRAZIERS BRIAN MOYER OF PENNSYLVANIA AND JANICE BROWN OF NEW YORK TO THE NATC, WHICH MET MONTHLY (VIA VIDEO CONFERENCE) DURING THE GRANT PERIOD TO APPROVE NEW MENTORS, APPRENTICE GRADUATIONS, AND CURRICULUM CHANGES. DGA WORKS WITH THESE OVERSIGHT BODIES TO REINFORCE A SHARED UNDERSTANDING OF DGA PRACTICES AND PROTOCOLS AND TO SOLICIT GUIDANCE ON EMERGING PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES.IN MARCH OF 2020, DGA HIRED A NEW APPRENTICESHIP DIRECTOR ANGIE SULLIVAN TO OVERSEE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS OF THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM. SULLIVAN HAS 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND HAS WORKED IN A VARIETY OF ROLES THAT ALLOW HER TO LOOK AT FARMING AND MANAGING FROM ALL SIDES OF THE EQUATION. IN HER PREVIOUS POSITION AS WISCONSIN FARM CENTER SUPERVISOR AT DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TRADE AND CONSUMER PROTECTION (DATCP), SHE AND HER STAFF PROVIDED FINANCIAL VIABILITY AND FARM TRANSITION SERVICES.MANAGED GRAZING INNOVATION CENTER"SOIL AND WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND "MANAGED GRAZING SYSTEMS FOR DAIRY CATTLE" ARE CURRENTLY RUNNING DURING FALL SEMESTER 2020 AT MANAGED GRAZING INNOVATION CENTER (MGIC). BOTH CLASSES INTEGRATE CLIMATE CURRICULUM ON SOIL CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES TO HELP CONTROL EROSION, WHILE ALSO IMPROVING SOIL HEALTH AND FORAGE PRODUCTIVITY. APPRENTICES ARE INTRODUCED TO THE USE OF SOIL-BUILDING, CARBON-SEQUESTERING CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY OF FORAGE PRODUCTION AND CONTROLLING RUNOFF AND EROSION. PRACTICES DISCUSSED INCLUDE REDUCING TILLAGE, UTILIZING PLANT RESIDUES, ADDING ORGANIC MATTER, UTILIZING COVER CROPS, AND ROTATING PERENNIAL CROPS. APPRENTICES FOCUS ON REGENERATIVE GRAZING PRACTICES THAT IMPROVE FORAGE BIODIVERSITY AND SUSTAINABILITY AND SOIL CONSERVATION IN CHANGING CONDITIONS. SOME SPECIFIC TOPICS: SOIL EROSION SOIL HEALTH AND WATER FILTRATION IMPACT OF CROPPING ON SOIL EROSION IMPACT OF GRAZING ON SOIL EROSION SOIL CONSERVATION METHODS SOIL COMPACTIONMGIC BEGAN PROVIDING RELATED INSTRUCTION FOR ALL DGA APPRENTICES AND INTERNS IN SPRING SEMESTER 2019 AND THAT FALL SEMESTER OPENED TO APPRENTICE CANDIDATES WHO HAD APPLIED ON THE DGA WEBSITE. SPRING SEMESTER 2020 MGIC THE MGIC LANDING PAGE (HTTPS://WWW.DGA-NATIONAL.ORG/MGIC) AND REGISTRATION PROCESS WENT LIVE AND CLASSES WERE OFFERED TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. ALL CLASSES DURING SPRING AND FALL ARE 12 WEEKS (36 HOURS; 1 CREDIT); SUMMER SESSION PROVIDES CONDENSED 6 WEEK VERSIONS OF MILK QUALITY AND DAIRY NUTRITION AS WELL AS THE HOLISTIC MANAGEMENT COURSE TO PROVIDE EXTRA FLEXIBILITY FOR APPRENTICES WITH BUSY SPRING SCHEDULES.FALL 2020 ENROLLMENTSMANAGED GRAZING SYSTEMS FOR DAIRY CATTLE - 10DAIRY CATTLE HEALTH AND WELLNESS - 14SOIL AND WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT - 12FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT 3SUMMER 2020 ENROLLMENTSDAIRY CATTLE NUTRITION, FEEDS, AND FEEDING - 11MILK QUALITY - 10HOLISTIC FARMING AND SYSTEMS APPROACH - 9SPRING 2020 ENROLLMENTSDAIRY CATTLE NUTRITION, FEEDS, AND FEEDING - 13MILK QUALITY - 10FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT - 13COUSE EVALUATIONS REVEAL THAT, ACROSS ALL CLASSES, 88% OF STUDENTS RATED THEIR PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE AS LOW OR AVERAGE AND AFTER THE CLASS 84% RATED THEIR KNOWLEDGE AS HIGH OR VERY HIGH. 100% OF STUDENTS RATED BOTH THE PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION AND THE AMOUNT OF TIME REQUIRED AS JUST RIGHT. DGA IS WORKING TO INTEGRATE MORE INTERACTIVE AND SYNCHRONOUS ACTIVITIES INTO THE CLASSES BUT, IN GENERAL, BUSY APPRENTICES WHO ARE EMPLOYED AND LEARNING ON WORKING DAIRY FARMS APPRECIATE AND VALUE THE FLEXIBILITY, ACCESSIBILITY, AND PRACTICAL CONTENT OF CLASSES OFFERED THROUGH THE ONLINE.STAKEHOLDER SYMPOSIUM IN MICHIGANBECAUSE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, THE ANNUAL MENTOR SUMMIT WAS CANCELLED. TO KEEP MENTOR DAIRY GRAZIER ENGAGED AND BUILD COMMUNITY AMONG STAKEHOLDER, DGA INITIATED VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLES. EVEN BEFORE THE LOCKDOWN MEASURES THAT BEGAN IN MARCH, THESE EVENTS WERE BECOMING INCREASINGLY POPULAR. THE RELEVANT TOPICS ALONG WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE WITH PEERS HAVE DRAWN NOT ONLY MENTORS BUT ALSO JOURNEY DAIRY GRAZIERS AND APPRENTICES. 2020 VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLES DECEMBER 2020 - "TRANSITIONING FARM OWNERSHIP & MANAGEMENT: WHAT ARE THE STEPS?" NOVEMBER 2020 - "THE PATH AFTER APPRENTICESHIP: TWO EXAMPLES OF ENTRY INTO THE DAIRY INDUSTRY" OCTOBER 2020 - "ONCE A DAY MILKING (OAD): WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU FOREGO (THE 2ND MILKING)" AUGUST 2020 - "ALL GRASS-FED DAIRY: WHAT MAKES IT WORK & HOW TO OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES" JULY 2020 - "TOOLS OF THE TRADE: PASTURE WATER SYSTEMS" JUNE 2020 - "TOOLS OF THE TRADE: FENCING & MANAGED GRAZING" MAY 2020 - "TO CUT (COSTS) OR NOT TO CUT" APRIL 2020 - "CALF HEALTH: RUMEN DEVELOPMENT AND MORE" MARCH 2020 - "TO BUILD OR NOT TO BUILD" FEBRUARY 2020 - "TO CROSS OR NOT TO CROSS" JANUARY 2020 - "RENOVATING PASTURES: TO PLOW OR NOT TO PLOW" IN ADDITION, DGA CREATED A MENTOR DAIRY GRAZIER DISCUSSION GROUP ON FACEBOOK, MODERATED BY A MATTHEW BOMGARDNER, A MENTOR IN PENNSYLVANIA WHO INTRODUCES PERTINENT PRODUCTION, CONSERVATION, MARKET, AND FINANCIAL TOPICS AND SHARE RESOURCES TO INITIATE CONVERSATIONS AMONG MENTORS ACROSS THE 15 STATE NETWORK. IT HAS ONLY RECENTLY BEEN LAUNCHED BUT IS INTENDED PROVIDE A SPACE FOR PEER-TO-PEER LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT. DGA'S EDUCATION COORDINATOR TRAINING MEETING WAS HELD VIRTUALLY, BRINGING TOGETHER FIVE DGA STAFF MEMBERS AND 18 EDUCATION COORDINATORS AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF FROM PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS FOR A TWO DAY EVENT THAT COVERED MANAGEMENT PROTOCOLS, NEW FEATURES ON THE DGA WEBSITE, AND CURRICULUM CHANGES FOR RELATED INSTRUCTION THROUGH MGIC AS WELL AS A VIRTUAL PASTURE WALK CONDUCTED BY APPRENTICES AND A CHEESE TASTING THAT SAMPLES ARTISAN CHEESE PRODUCED BY MENTOR DAIRY GRAZIERS FROM ACROSS THE NETWORK.NEXT STAGE OF THE NEW DAIRY CONCEPTTHE "NEW DAIRY CONCEPT" IS A MODEL FOR A DAIRY GRAZING DEVELOPMENT CAMPUS WITH DGA AT ITS CORE (HTTPS://NEW-DAIRY-CONCEPT.DGA-NATIONAL.ORG/). THE MODEL INVOLVES A BUSINESS INCUBATOR AND TRAINING COMPLEX THAT CONSISTS OF 15-20 200-COW FARMS IN A 20-MILE RADIUS COMBINING THE EFFICIENCIES OF LARGE CONVENTIONAL SYSTEMS WITH A BUSINESS STRUCTURE BUILT UPON MANAGED-GRAZING FARMS THAT HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BE INDEPENDENTLY OWNED. STRATEGIC IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS MODEL WOULD LEAD TO A REDUCED ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT, RURAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, AND RENEWED DAIRY MARKETS.A LAUNCH PROJECT FOR A BETA FARM IS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY IN CENTRAL WISCONSIN AS DGA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JOSEPH TOMANDL, III, WHO ALREADY OWNS TWO FARMS IN PROXIMITY TO ONE ANOTHER IS PREPARING TO PURCHASE A THIRD FARM. HE HAS CREATED A NEW COMPANY CALLED REGENERATIVE DAIRY DEVELOPMENT, LLC, HAS IDENTIFIED A PROPERTY AND IS IN THE PROCESS OF SECURING BLENDED CAPITAL INVESTMENT NEEDED FOR PURCHASE AND UPGRADES. THE PLAN IS THAT THE BETA PROJECT WILL PROVIDE DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING GROUND FOR INNOVATIVE FINANCE, THE NEW LAND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, AND YET-TO-BE-CREATED ECOSYSTEM SERVICES THAT WILL IMPROVE MANAGED GRAZING DAIRY FARM PROFITABILITY AND PROTECT ECOSYSTEMS.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJan 1, 2020 – Dec 31, 2020Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$377.3KDairy Grazing Alliance
IN FALL 2024, DAIRY GRAZING APPRENTICESHIP BECAME DAIRY GRAZING ALLIANCE. THE APPRENTICESHIP IS HOUSED INSIDE THE ALLIANCE. DAIRY GRAZING ALLIANCE BRINGS TOGETHER STAKEHOLDERS FROM ACROSS THE DAIRY INDUSTRY WHO ARE DEDICATED TO GROWING ALL PARTS OF THE DAIRY GRAZING SECTOR. THE ALLIANCE IS FOCUSED ON THREE PRIMARY PILLARS: 1) ENHANCING THE ECONOMIC VIABILITY OF MANAGED GRAZING FARMS2) PROVIDING PRODUCERS WITH RESOURCES, EDUCATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE3) CONVENING DAIRY GRAZING STAKEHOLDERS TO BUILD AN EFFECTIVE MOVEMENT TO HELP GROW THE SECTORTHE ALLIANCE'S WORK WILL GROW ALL PARTS OF THE VALUE CHAIN. THIS MEANS BUILDING MARKETS, CONDUCTING RESEARCH AND PROVIDING THE TECHNICAL SUPPORT NEEDED TO INCREASE PROFITABILITY FOR PRODUCERS WHO PRACTICE MANAGED GRAZING.DAIRY GRAZING APPRENTICESHIP (DGA) IS A 501(C)(3) NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION AND AN ACCREDITED FORMAL APPRENTICESHIP IN "MANAGED GRAZING" DAIRY PRODUCTION. THE APPRENTICESHIP CONSISTS OF 4,000 HOURS OVER TWO YEARS AND COMBINES ON-FARM EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING UNDER AN APPROVED MASTER DAIRY GRAZIER WITH RELATED INSTRUCTION, WHICH INCLUDES FORMAL COURSEWORK THROUGH ACCREDITED EDUCATION PROVIDERS, DISCUSSION GROUPS, PASTURE WALKS, AND FARMING CONFERENCES. DGA DEVELOPED THE CURRICULUM AND WORK-BASED COMPETENCIES THAT ARE REGISTERED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR FOR THE OCCUPATION OF DAIRY GRAZIER. ENTRANTS BECOME APPRENTICES, JOURNEY DAIRY GRAZIERS, AND EVENTUALLY MASTERS THEMSELVES ON A CAREER PATH THAT HAS BEEN USED IN THE TRADES FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY. THE ORGANIZATION CONDUCTS OUTREACH AND RECRUITS POTENTIAL MASTERS AND APPRENTICES, ASSESSES AND APPROVES MASTER (EMPLOYER) FARM SITES, COORDINATES RELATED INSTRUCTION COMPONENTS, MONITORS THE MENTORING RELATIONSHIP, TRACKS APPRENTICE PROGRESS THROUGH ON-THE-JOB TRAINING AND RELATED INSTRUCTION HOURS AND REQUIREMENTS, AND PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL, TECHNICAL, AND BUSINESS PLANNING SUPPORT SERVICES TO APPRENTICESHIP PARTICIPANTS. GENERAL ADMINISTRATIONAS DGA HAS CONTINUED TO EXPAND GEOGRAPHICALLY AND TO DEVELOP BOARD LEADERSHIP, PARTNER COORDINATION, AND PROGRAMMING THAT ENSURES THAT HIGH-QUALITY TRAINING IN MANAGED GRAZING DAIRY PRODUCTION IS DELIVERED IN A WAY THAT IS CONSISTENT, RELEVANT TO EVOLVING MARKET AND CLIMATE CONDITIONS, AND INCLUSIVE OF DIVERSE PARTICIPANTS. CLIMATE CURRICULUM FOR MANAGED GRAZING INNOVATION CENTERMANAGED GRAZING INNOVATION CENTER (MGIC) IS DGA'S ONLINE SCHOOL THAT PROVIDES CUSTOM COURSEWORK FOR APPRENTICES AND OTHERS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN LEARNING ABOUT MANAGED GRAZING PRODUCTION SYSTEMS, FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT, AND CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP. STUDENTS CAN TAKE CLASSES INDIVIDUALLY OR COMPLETE ALL SIX FOR THE MANAGED GRAZING DAIRY CERTIFICATE THAT IS REQUIRED FOR APPRENTICES. BECAUSE MANAGED GRAZING WORKS WITH NATURAL SYSTEMS, IT HAS LONG BEEN CONSIDERED A BEST PRACTICE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL OUTCOMES. PERENNIAL SYSTEMS ALSO ALLOW PRODUCERS TO WITHSTAND AND ADAPT TO CHANGES IN WEATHER PATTERNS THROUGH SUSTAINABLE PASTURE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES THAT SEQUESTER CARBON, BUILD HEALTHY SOILS, AND PROTECT WATER QUALITY HAVE ALREADY BEEN INTEGRATED INTO MGIC CLASSES, "SOIL AND WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND "MANAGED GRAZING SYSTEMS FOR DAIRY CATTLE," BOTH OF WHICH ARE REQUIRED FOR THE APPRENTICESHIP AND ARE OFFERED DURING FALL SEMESTER. FARMER-STAKEHOLDER SYMPOSIUMTHE DGA GRAZING SUMMIT IS A NATIONAL MANAGED GRAZING DAIRY GATHERING WHERE MENTORS AND PARTNERS COME TOGETHER NOT ONLY TO NETWORK, SOCIALIZE, AND LEARN BUT ALSO TO GAIN PERSPECTIVE ON NATIONAL LABOR TRENDS, MARKETS, AND TECHNOLOGIES FOR MANAGED GRAZING DAIRY FARMS.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$1.7M
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