Managed Grazing Innovation Center provides high quality education on managed grazing production systems,
farm business management, and conservation stewardship in an online format.
Earn a Managed Grazing Dairy Certificate
Students will gain an understanding ofthe life cycle feeding and nutrition needs for grazing dairy cattle. They will acquire an understanding of nutrition requirements and providing optimal diets at each point in the life cycle of milking cows, replacements and breeding bulls. They will learn to develop a whole herd feed and forage needs and plan.
This course provides students with an understanding of producing quality milk. Students will be introduced to parts of a milking system and components, milking procedures, udder anatomy, mastitis and somatic cell count.
This course introduces students to business planning techniques, record-keeping practices and tools that can help chart progress toward personal and business goals. Students will also develop basic farm business financial statements. DGA is an approved vendor for Farm Services Agency (FSA) Financial Management Training Program.
Functional soil is the foundation of a grazing dairy system. Students will develop an understanding of soil health and how organic matter, micro-organisms, and nutrient cycling build a healthy soil. They will learn about soil testing, nutrient needs and water resources and management.
Students will gain an understanding of the life cycle health and wellness needs grazing dairy cattle. They will learn animal health procedures and techniques needed for the dairy farm, create a whole herd health plan, and gain a critical understanding and recognition of disease concerns and prevention at each point in the life cycle of milking cows, replacements and breeding bulls.
Students will be introduced to the various aspects of designing and managing a dairy grazing system for optimal animal and pasture performance. They will develop a grazing plan that meets both the summer and winter feeding needs.
Managed Grazing Innovation Center (MGIC) is an online school that is open to everyone and does not require participation in the Apprenticeship. Classes are intended to enhance the knowledge base of students, and are designed for planning purposes as well as for practical application on working farms. Students may take individual classes and/or complete all six within five years to earn a Managed Grazing Dairy Certificate. MGIC classes are one credit (36 hours) and cost $250 each.
MGIC was developed with funding support from a 2017 Educational Enhancement Team grant from USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture's Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program and a 2021 grant from OPPE-USDA Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers (The 2501 Program).
FALL Semester 2023
September 11 · Fall registration opens
September 25 · Classes begin
December 15 · End of Fall Term
SPRING Semester 2024
January 2 · Spring registration opens
January 24 · Classes begin
April 5 · End of Spring Term
SUMMER Session 2024
June 24 · Summer registration opens
July 8 · Classes begin
August 16 · End of Summer Term
FALL Semester 2024
September 9 · Fall registration opens
September 23 · Classes begin
December 13 · End of Fall Term
VETERANS qualify for MGIC tuition reimbursement with funding support from a USDA AgVets Grant.
If you already have a DGA account, you can Sign In to enroll in MGIC classes.
If you are new to DGA, please Create an Account in the DGA website first.
Questions? Contact mgic@dga-national.org
“I'm really enjoying the assignments. Thanks so much for making them practical to apply to day to day dairy work!”
- Leo Arnold
Dairy Cattle Health and Wellness
“The courses connected directly to what I was doing on the farm and really helped me understand the 'why' for our protocol and procedures.”
- RoseAnn Keesling
Dairy Nutrition, Feeds, and Feeding
Milk Quality
“I've observed how different grazing practices appear to impact soil structure and the regrowth rate of pasture. But drilling down to what soil health really means on a molecular and micro-biological level has added a whole new layer of complexity.”
- Kate Sabino
Soil and Water Resources Management
“I am glad to have taken this course; I look forward to taking other courses in the near future.”
- Michael Monthey
Dairy Cattle Nutrition, Feeds, and Feeding
Paola Bacigalupo-Sanguesa earned her veterinary medicine degree in Chile and a master's degree from Colorado State University. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University, with a focus on milking efficiency. She serves as an Extension Educator at Michigan State University, where she assists dairy producers with issues related to milk quality, parlor and milking efficiency, and employee education. With over 10 years of experience working with dairy cattle, she has worked with farms of all sizes and systems, including grazing farms.
Samantha Gehrett is a Dairy Educator with Penn State Extension and is housed in Carlisle, PA. Her primary focus is to help dairy producers with business management needs that help farms reach long-term goals and objectives. She brings experience in Accounting, Taxation, Transition/Succession Planning, and Biosecurity. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband or hiking with her dogs.
I am currently the instructor for the Soil and Water Resources class offered through MGIC. My agricultural journey started in my early 20's when I unexpectedly landed in an apprenticeship on a grass-based dairy in southern Wisconsin. I fell in love with dairying, grazing, and all things farming, and from there pursued additional training through the Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy Farmers (at UW-Madison). I hold bachelor's degrees in biology and agriculture, and a master's degree in agronomy from the University of Nebraska, where I studied nutrient cycling in grazed ecosystems using a drone and geospatial analysis. I have also worked as a research associate for Montana State University assisting with field crop and forage research in northwestern Montana. I am passionate about all things soil- and forage-related and continually fascinated by the synergistic relationship between plants, soil and livestock and the potential for ecosystem restoration using well-managed grazing. Currently, my husband and I operate Roving Ram Ranch, LLC, a sheep operation near Kalispell, Montana. We focus on producing grass-finished lamb and high quality fleeces while providing targeted and regenerative grazing services to landowners in our area. We also breed and raise livestock guardian dogs.
Students develop an understanding of the life cycle health and wellness needs for grazing dairy cattle. Students develop skills in animal health procedures and techniques needed for the dairy farm and then create a whole herd health plan. Additionally, students gain a critical understanding and recognition of disease concerns and prevention at each point in the life cycle of milking cows, replacements and breeding bulls.
Through completing all assignments and course requirements, students will be able to:
1. Identify diseases throughout dairy cattle life stages
2. Identify strategies for transitional cow health
3. Apply dairy herd management principles
4. Describe health management strategies for calves
Hello, my name is Linda, and I am a Holistic Management International Professional Certified Educator. My passion lies in regenerative agriculture and holistic management practices, and I have over 15 years of experience in ranching and agriculture. My extensive experience has taught me valuable knowledge on cultivating land, raising livestock, and understanding the intricate connections within ecosystems. I believe in implementing sustainable and regenerative practices that benefit the environment and our communities. One of my greatest joys is sharing my insights and experiences with others who share my passion for regenerative agriculture. I offer dynamic presentations and engaging training sessions to empower individuals and communities to make informed decisions that benefit their livelihoods and the planet. I am committed to equipping my audience with the tools they need to foster healthier, more resilient landscapes. My philosophy revolves around the Holistic Management Framework, which considers the ecological, economic, and social aspects of land management. Using this holistic framework, I help individuals and organizations make ecologically sustainable, financially viable, and socially responsible decisions. Together, we strive to create a harmonious balance between human activities and the natural world. In addition to presentations and training, I provide personalized coaching to individuals and groups who want to deepen their knowledge of sustainable practices. Whether you're an experienced rancher looking to refine your methods or a beginner who wants to embrace sustainable agriculture, my coaching services are tailored to meet your needs and goals. Together, we will navigate the complex world of holistic land management and work towards creating a brighter, greener future. Join me on an enlightening journey of discovery as we delve into the vast potential of regenerative agriculture, cultivate a profound connection with the land, and chart a course toward a more robust and prosperous future. Together, let us sow the seeds of positive change and marvel as they blossom into a landscape of abundance and harmony.
