May 01 2019

The Changing Face of the Family Farm: How Farmers are Staying Viable

Meagan Farrell, an Apprentice with her father Master Dairy Grazier, Bert Paris, faces challenges to industry with a passion for dairy farming as a way of life and a profession.

April 30 2019

Dairying for the Future: Soil Conservation and Economic Viability

Managed-grazing dairies conserve soil and support rural communities by offering opportunities for farms to be transferred from one generation to the next.

April 03 2019

Veterans, Dairy Work for Dreams

DGA is a veteran friendly organization that is helping heroes continue a life of integrity, honorable work, and service to our nation by providing a pathway into dairy farming.

February 13 2019

Farmlove: Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship

At the Corse Farm Dairy in Whitingham, Vermont, Master Dairy Graziers see double rainbow of promise for the future of family farming.

February 11 2019

Many Paths to Starting a Dairy

A discussion panel, including DGA Journey Dairy Graziers, shares insights and experiences getting started in today’s dairy industry economy at the GrassWorks Grazing Conference.

January 29 2019

First Three Organic Dairy Apprenticeship Program Graduates

Graduates of Organic Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship Program in 2018 remain connected to their Wolfe’s Neck Center roots.

January 06 2019

Wolfe’s Neck Farm Teaches Maine’s Next Generation of Dairy Farmers

Ben Jensen, left, and Matt DeGrandpre are partnering with DGA to train beginning dairy farmers in the new facility at Wolfe’s Neck when it opens this spring.

December 04 2018

DGA Receives Grant to Recruit and Support Veterans

DGA is one of six organizations awarded a 2017 USDA AgVets grant to establish and enhance farming and ranching opportunities for military veterans.

November 02 2018

Meet the Vermont DGA Program

Mary Ellen Franklin, pictured with VT Ag Secretary Anson Tebbetts, recently came on board to serve as DGA Education Coordinator for Vermont Masters and Apprentices.

October 20 2018

Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship: Q&A with Gay Rodgers & Jess Matthews

Master Grazier Gay Rodgers and Apprentice Jess Matthews from Hameau Farm in Belleville, talk with PASA about their experience participating in Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship.

September 28 2018

Dairying in Harmony with Nature

DGA graduate, John Richmond, and his wife Chelsea, who milk and graze their dairy cows near Colfax, WI, hosted a pasture walk in August.

September 10 2018

Three Graziers Share Challenges to Getting Started

Three young graziers talked about their experiences starting out in dairy farming at the 2018 Grassworks Conference held annually in Wisconsin.

July 05 2018

Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship Offers Opportunities

Master Dairy Graziers in Missouri are looking for motivated individuals to train to become managers and dairy farm business owners. It's great place to work and learn. Find out more about DGA in the Show-Me State!

June 12 2018

Hannah Molitor Joins SFA to Coordinate DGA & Boost Grass-Fed Dairy Farms in Minnesota

DGA is pleased to partner with the Sustainable Farming Association and to welcome Hannah Molitor as Education Coordinator in central Minnesota.

April 23 2018

Greening pastures: Mary C Anderson earns Gaylord Nelson Earth Green Award

DGA Education Coordinator and Director of River Country RC &D, Mary C. Anderson, has been honor with the Gaylord Nelson Green Earth Award for her dedication to managed grazing and family scale agriculture.

April 20 2018

The Grass Master's Apprentice

An innovative farming system requires innovative training. Ryan Heinen built skills and knowledge in managed grazing dairy production under Master Dairy Graziers, Nate and Angie Walter, in west-central Minnesota.

December 20 2017

Farmers Learn Business, Farm Life from Mentors through DGA

Scott Mericka, Master Dairy Grazier and co-owner of Grass Dairy and Uplands Cheese Company, and his Apprentice Matt Nielsen talk about the challenges and rewards of becoming a dairy farmer.

December 14 2017

From GIs to Graziers: Midwest Servicemen Farm Together through Mentor Program

Master Dairy Grazier, Andy Bures, is a military veteran who is committed to helping other veterans get started in dairy farming through Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship.

December 11 2017

My Name on the Milk Sign

Mike Taddy, a Major in the U.S. Air Force recently stationed in the Middle East, muses on his aspirations to become a dairy farmer, the parallels between farming and military service, and the opportunities provided by DGA.

December 11 2017

A Lane to Opportunity Like None Other

Executive Director, Joe Tomandl, III, who milks and grazes 330 cows on two organic dairy farms near Medford, WI he talks with Dairy Star about DGA's efforts to address farm loss and revitalize rural communities.

November 03 2017

Organic, Grazing Preserves Family Farm

Managed grazing and organic certification helped the Scott and Lucy Adank save their farm. Now the next generation–son Ryan, 21–is preparing for his career in dairying, having recently completed a formal Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship at his home farm.

October 22 2017

Community Rallies for Maine Farmer After He Gets a Concussion

As an injured Maine dairy farmer recovers from a frightening accident, Apprentices Josh Harlan and Haden Gooch of Wolfe's Neck Farm pitch in to make sure the work gets done.

October 17 2017

Guiding Next-Gen Dairy Graziers is a Win-Win for New York Masters

Kim Shaklee and his wife, Janice Brown, of Birds All Dairy Farm create a winning scenario for themselves and their workers through the DGA program.

October 17 2017

A Dairy Road Diverges: Grazing Model Offers Alternative to Industrial Farming

In an article featured as part of an in-depth series on the impact of dairy farming in Wisconsin, Joe Tomandl, III discusses why grazing-based dairy makes the industry stronger while benefiting rural communities.

October 03 2017

Stay the Course: Six Generations of Stewardship on the Corse Family Farm

The Corse family has long been committed to conservation stewardship on their organic dairy farm in Whitingham, VT, and are ensuring their legacy through DGA.

September 25 2017

Apprenticeship Aims to Keep Family Farm

Matthew Keesling, recently retired from the U.S. Army, is doing an Apprenticeship on Bures Organic Dairy Farm in Deerbrook, WI.

September 22 2017

DGA Master Dairy Graziers Receive Award from Horizon Organic

Annual HOPE and National Quality Award recipients, Joe and Tom Molitor of St. Cloud, MN, were recognized during Farm Aid festivities.

September 09 2017

Laura Paine Awarded SARE Professional Development Grant

Congratulations to DGA Program Director, Laura Paine! Her SARE project to develop DGA Masters as professional trainers is the 2017 Paula Ford Professional Development Program Proposal of the Year.

September 06 2017

Master Grazier Brian Moyer and Apprentice Joseph Moyer Approach Milestone

Son nears halfway point in Apprenticeship program with his father, educational support provided by DGA's administrative partner, Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture.

August 28 2017

Dairy Grazing Their Way: A Panel Shares Management Strategies

DGA Master Dairy Graziers from different parts of the country presented on their farm’s challenges and opportunities at the 2017 Grazing Conference in Wisconsin Dells. Progressive Dairyman has the story.

July 20 2017

Master, Apprentice Share Honest Work

Kelsey Vance is learning about dairy-grazing practices and business from Don Boland, who grazes about 175 cows on a family farm near Gays Mills, WI.

July 10 2017

Smooth Transition: Graduating Apprentice Prepares to Take Over Farm

After two years of working with Master Charles Flodquist, DGA graduate John Richmond will start buying the cows on January 1st.

June 22 2017

23 Million for Conservation Innovation Projects

DGA will train beginning farmers in managed grazing and conduct pasture walks in the Great Lakes Region as one of 33 projects selected for funding through NRCS Conservation Innovation Grants program.

June 21 2017

Opportunity on a Diversified Farm in New York

The Fellowship Community, an intergenerational community, is seeking a dairyman to work with a team of coworkers and volunteers on a small farm located in Chestnut Ridge.

June 13 2017

New Dairy Farmers Go Against The Grain

As experienced dairy farmers age and retire they are passing on their knowledge to the next generation, and an innovative apprenticeship program is formalizing the process.

May 22 2017

Couple Finds Place In Dairy Grazing Industry

Dairy graziers, Clay and Sue McQuiddy, give back by becoming Masters for Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship and sharing their knowledge.

May 17 2017

Support Beginning Farmers at Ride-To-Farm Bike Ride on June 3rd

DGA Executive Director, Joe Tomandl, III will kick off the annual Ride-to-Farm event Saturday, June 3, 2017, where cyclists ride through rolling hills of Green County to support the next generation of dairy and livestock farmers.

May 01 2017

Pennsylvania Internship Opportunity

Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA), in partnership with the Center for Dairy Excellence, is offering a 10-week paid summer internship on a DGA-approved farm in south central Pennsylvania.

April 20 2017

Cornell Dairy Supporter Promotes Grazing Apprenticeship

As DGA Education Coordinator in New York, Fay Benson is out recruiting dairy grazing farmers to become Masters.

February 27 2017

Aspiring Dairy Farmers and Current Graziers Wanted for New York Dairy Grazing Apprentice Program

DGA Education Coordinator and Cornell Small Dairy Support Specialist, Fay Benson, is recruiting potential new Masters and Apprentice Candidates to participate in DGA New York.

February 26 2017

Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship Snowballing

Executive Director Joe Tomandl, III sits down with Brownfield Ag News at this year's Organic Farming Conference to talk about the development and rapid growth of Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship. Take a listen!

February 16 2017

2017 Jerold Berg Grazing Advocate Award

Master Dairy Graziers, Greg and Wendy Galbraith of Aniwa, WI, were honored with the 2017 Jerold Berg Grazing Advocate Award at this year's GrassWorks Grazing Conference. Congratulations!

February 11 2017

Apprentice Program Opens Path for Aspiring Graziers

DGA Executive Director, Joe Tomandl, III presents at the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA) Farming for the Future Conference on Feb. 3 at The Penn Stater. See article in Lancaster Farming.

February 07 2017

Maine Dairy and Forage Expert Tapped as Keynote Speaker at Vermont Organic Dairy Producers Conference

Rick Kersbergen, DGA Education Coordinator and Extension Agent at University of Maine, will discuss dairy nutrition in his keynote and Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship in a second talk at the March 9 conference at Vermont Technical College in Randolph Center.

November 30 2016

So You Want to Start a Grazing Dairy

New Hay and Forage Grower article looks at how Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship is creating a pathway to farm ownership for aspiring dairy farmers.

November 29 2016

Dairy Grazing Apprenticeships Are Great For Beginning and Established Farmers

Nice article on Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship in On Pasture explores the benefits of a structured Apprenticeship for passing on farming knowledge.

November 21 2016

25th Annual GrassWorks Grazing Conference

The GrassWorks Grazing Conference is February 2-4, 2017 at Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells. This year's conference will feature a full dairy track with DGA participant panels and workshops on a range of topics, including start-up farming, farm profitability, no-grain dairy, and grazing genetics.

November 15 2016

Teaching Others To Graze Dairy Cattle

Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship is helping to strengthen the dairy industry by diversifying management systems and bringing on new farmers. Read article from Farm Progress.

November 14 2016

Joe Tomandl Finds Success With Grazing

Joe and Christy Tomandl oversee the milking of 330 cows on two farms near Medford. Check out this article from Farm Progress on their entrepreneurial strategy for growth and sustainability.

October 24 2016

Apprenticeship Program Educates in Dairy

A. Fay Benson, our Education Coordinator in New York, helps spread the word about Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship at Empire Farm Days in Seneca Falls, NY.

October 04 2016

Apprenticeship Program for Dairy Farmers is Growing

Executive Director, Joseph Tomandl, III, sits down with Brownfield Ag News at World Dairy Expo to talk about DGA. Give a listen!

October 01 2016

Passing A Life's Work To A New Generation

September issue of Graze Magazine features an article on how Apprenticeship has opened new opportunities for Master, Chuck Flodquist, and Apprentice, John Richmond.

September 29 2016

DGA Expanding Into New States

DGA seeks innovative partners and interested farmers as Apprenticeship goes national, with the potential to become part of the mainstream educational landscape.

September 15 2016

Interview With Wisconsin Farmer Andy Bures

Andrew P. Bures Farm in Deerbrook, WI, is the featured farm in September E-Newsletter of the Northeast Organic Producer's Alliance (NOPDA).

August 23 2016

Conscientious Consumers Support Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship Through Whole Foods Market® Minnesota’s One Dime at a Time Program

Individuals can have an impact on the future of agriculture by supporting new farmer education in sustainable farming methods.

August 17 2016

Wolfe's Neck Farm Secures USDA Funding To Expand Organic Dairy Farmer Training Program

DGA partner Wolfe's Neck Farm in Maine have been awarded a USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Program grant to expand organic dairy program throughout New England.

July 25 2016

An Apprentice: His Master, Their Cows

John Richmond and Chuck Flodquist were matched up by the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship program in late 2014. Flodquist has been training Richmond as his successor on his 200-cow dairy near Colfax, Wisconsin.

July 12 2016

Small Wisconsin Dairy Hopes to Milk New Trend: A1 Free

A new trend could mean new opportunities and increased demand for managed grazing dairy farmers: milk that contains only the A2 type of beta-casein protein, rather than the A1 protein commonly found in regular milk.

July 08 2016

Opportunity for Skilled Employment on Dairy Farm in Fremont, Wisconsin

Join the team on Otto Family Farm! We are offering an opportunity for a Journey Dairy Grazier or other skilled individual to put his or her managed-grazing knowledge, skills, and experience to work—build your dairy career while helping this family farm transition to a grazing-based system.

April 18 2016

Cornell University Partners with DGA to Train New Farmers in New York

Cornell Small Farms Program is leading the development of Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship in New York. As a majority of farmers reaches retirement age, this top-producing dairy state faces many of the same challenges as Wisconsin and other states in bringing on beginning dairy farmers.

March 18 2016

Initial Sign Up For USDA Conservation Stewardship Program Due March 31st

Farmers and ranchers interested in enrolling in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) this year have until March 31 to submit their initial applications to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

March 16 2016

Local Farmers Recognized Among Nations Top 100 Leaders

DGA Executive Director, Joe Tomandl, III, is among the Farm Credit 100 Fresh Perspectives honorees who are inspiring examples of leaders creating a brighter, more vibrant future for rural America.

March 01 2016

Makings of a Dairy Farmer

Staff and Apprentices at Wolfe’s Neck Farm’s dairy operation in Freeport, Maine, come from varied backgrounds, but they have a similar goal in mind–to make the Organic Dairy Farmer Research and Training Program a success.

January 26 2016

Innovative Grazing Apprenticeship Program Attracts Young Farmers

DGA is pleased to be a new member of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), which does such valuable work in agriculture policy. This NSAC blog post on DGA features interviews with Apprentices, Reed Fitton and Kyle Serwe, and Master Dairy Grazier, Donald Boland.

December 22 2015

Auction On Long Time Organic Grazing Dairy

January 8th, 2016 10:00 AM, Krusen Grass Farms LLC, Altfrid and Sue Krusenbaum, W3255 County Rd. D, Elkhorn, WI 53121.

December 18 2015

Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship Sponsors Dairy Track at 2016 Grazing Conference

Ready for a mid-winter getaway? Join DGA for the 24th annual GrassWorks Grazing Conference on January 14-16 at Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells.

November 16 2015

NRCS Launches New Conservation Effort to Aid Monarch Butterflies

NRCS will provide technical and financial assistance to help producers and conservation partners make pollinator and butterfly-friendly improvements to farms.

November 12 2015

Grow Wisconsin Dairy Producer Grant

The Grow Wisconsin Dairy Grant is a flexible, customizable grant available to producers to retain farms, facilitate operational changes and improve profitability. Deadline for applications is December 18, 2015.

October 30 2015

Some Farm Kids Who Left Feel Call To Return To Their Roots

Growing up on the farm is a formative experience that sometimes draws people back even after years—and careers—away. Apprenticeship can provide that pathway to the dairy farming lifestyle.

October 12 2015

Marathon County Farmer Enters Organic Market With Split Strategy

Article in The Country Today about Joe Tomandl, III transitioning his home farm to certified organic. Managed grazing farms can produce high quality milk for every market!

September 29 2015

North Central Graziers Pasture Walk

Joe is having a Pasture Walk! It takes place Wednesday, October 7th 1-3:00 p.m. and focuses on transitioning grazing dairy farm to organic production. Guest speaker will be Dave Engel of Nature's International Certification Service (NICS).

September 24 2015

Organic Program Director at Wolfe's Neck Farm

Wolfe's Neck Farm, a DGA partner located in beautiful coastal Maine, is hiring an Organic Program Director to manage its educational farm and provide hands-on training for Apprentices.

August 04 2015

Apprenticeship in Grazing Benefits Beginning Farmer

Wiscosnin Dairy News interviews DGA Education Coordinator, Altfrid Krussenbaum, Journey Dairy Grazier, Kyle Serwe, and Master Dairy Grazier, Bill Guell. Looking good guys!

July 15 2015

USDA announces conservation incentives for working grass, range and pasture lands

Beginning September 1, 2015, graziers will be able to apply for financial assistance through Conservation Reserve Program for conserving natural resources while maintaining the areas as livestock grazing lands.

June 23 2015

DGA Welcomes Laura Paine as Program Director

DGA is pleased to welcome long-time grazing and organic advocate, Laura Paine, as Program Director. She joins the team at just the right time–with its new national status DGA is really taking off!

June 20 2015

Grazing Apprenticeship Program Helps to Expand Ag Industry

Great article in Wisconsin State Farmer about DGA graduate Kyle Serwe, his step-grandfather Bill Guell, and their partnership on Guell Dairy Farm.

June 13 2015

Haugens Host Pasture Tour

Today's grazing isn't like your grandfather's grazing. Walk along with innovative graziers, Bonnie and Vance Haugen and their son Olaf on their seasonal grazing based dairy.

April 07 2015

DGA Wins 2015 Rural Development Award

Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship has been recognized with a 2015 Top Rural Development Initiative Award from Wisconsin Rural Partners, Inc.

April 03 2015

USDA to provide $332 million to protect and restore agricultural working lands, grasslands and wetlands

USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service will accept ACEP applications to help productive farm and ranch lands remain in agriculture.

March 24 2015

Apprenticeships Offer Unique Employment Opportunities

DGA consists of on-farm employment and training that can lead to farm ownership. The program is actively recruiting Masters and Apprentices. Read this great piece in American Dairyman.

March 12 2015

UW-Madison helps train aspiring farmers enrolled in 'the MBA of dairy'

Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship partners with UW-Madison to provide a pathway for aspiring young farmers to develop grazing careers in dairy farming.

March 07 2015

Program Seeks to Train New Dairy Farmers

DGA's Minnesota Education Coordinator and Master Dairy Grazier, Bonnie Haugen, is reaching out to current and aspiring farmers across the state border.

March 02 2015

Apprenticeship Aims To Grow State's Next Generation Of Farmers

Joe Tomandl, III discusses the importance of new farmer training for Wisconsin's dairy industry on WPR's Central Time. Take a listen!

March 10 2014

Elkhorn Farmer Outlines Opportunities for New Farmers

Master Dairy Grazier and DGA Board of Directors Member, Altfrid Krusenbaum, talks to Wisconsin State Farmer about initiatives to help new dairy farmers get started.

January 30 2014

DGA on the Larry Meiller Show

Program Director Joe Tomandl, III had a great conversation about DGA with Larry Meiller on Wisconsin Public Radio. Take a listen!