Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship Welcomes New Grazing Specialist, Anna Dawley

Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship

MEDFORD, WI – Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship (DGA), an innovative 501c3 nonprofit that matches experienced dairy grazing farmers (mentors) with aspiring apprentices, is pleased to announce that Anna Dawley has joined the DGA staff as a Grazing Specialist. In this role, Dawley will oversee a new NRCS Wisconsin Cooperative Agreement focused on implementing PaddockTrac technology on 40 managed grazing dairy farms in southern Wisconsin over the next three years. PaddockTrac is a ruggedized, innovative technology that collects and measures forage biomass data using sonar. Intelligence gleaned from PaddockTrac’s data helps farmers improve grazing management.

“As the DGA network grows, we need someone who has experience working with grazing farms and who understands the intricacies of pasture management, as well as the significant potential of this innovative technology,” says Joseph Tomandl, III, Executive Director of DGA. “We’re very excited to bring Anna Dawley onto the team.”

Dawley grew up in Eastern Massachusetts and developed a love for farming and the outdoors while spending time at her grandparents’ small apple orchard in New Hampshire. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2019 with a degree in Environmental Sociology and Food Systems. For the past five years, she worked on a farm that utilized regenerative farming practices, including managed grazing, bale grazing, and planting cover crops. Although she started with no prior knowledge of managed grazing, cattle, or farming, she quickly moved into managing the herd and the pastures.

“I am so excited to be working with a group of people and producers who are as passionate about managed grazing as I am,” said Dawley. “I can’t wait to see the positive impact that PaddockTrac will have on pasture management. The future of managed grazing is bright, and I am thrilled to be a part of it.”

Dawley lives in Madison, WI with her wife and two cats. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, home improvement projects, and helping out at the farm.

Established in 2010, DGA partners with established grazing dairy farmers, universities, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders to deliver education, training, and technical assistance in 16 states to support the managed grazing dairy sector.