Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship

Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship is making dairy farming a reality
for a new generation.

A program of the Dairy Grazing Alliance, the Apprenticeship supports the transfer of farming wisdom from one generation to the next. It is a paid Apprenticeship that is registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. It’s the first formal agricultural Apprenticeship in the nation.

200+
Mentors in
16 States

Challenge

The average age of U.S. farmers is 59, which means our nation's farmers are aging out of the profession. Oftentimes, there is no clear succession plan for existing farms, and new farmers are not entering the profession at rates that offset the loss of retiring producers. The rapid consolidation and capital requirements of the dairy industry, coupled with markets designed for large-scale production, make it difficult for new farmers to enter the business. Consequently, farm loss – estimated at 5 to 10 percent annually – persists across rural communities.

Solution

The Apprenticeship provides a guided pathway to independent dairy farm ownership, developing grazing careers, and strengthening the economic and environmental well-being of rural communities and the dairy industry.

Since its founding in 2010, the Apprenticeship has provided more than 750,000 hours of on-farm training and related coursework in managed grazing dairy production to hundreds of aspiring farmers located in 16 states nationwide. These include Iowa, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Wisconsin.

How Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship Works

Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship partners with established grazing dairy farmers, universities, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders to deliver high-quality, work-based training in managed grazing dairy production.

Apprentices are committed to working side-by-side with graziers on their farm for two years to learn the craft and work of grass-based dairying. This formal, intensive hands-on training is complimented by classroom study, peer-to-peer networking, and workshops. It provides the needed preparation for new farmers to be successful in their own farming operations.