Project Overview
Dairy
Grazing Apprenticeship (DGA) is National Apprenticeship under the U.S.
Department of Labor. The first formal Apprenticeship for farming in the nation,
the two-year 4000 hour program combines paid on-farm training with related
instruction to facilitate the transfer of knowledge, skills, and farms to the
next generation. This BFRDP-EET project aims to establish DGA as a standard
career pathway for economically and environmentally sustainable commodity-scale
dairy producers.
Originating
in Wisconsin in 2010, DGA has steadily expanded in response to significant
interest from dairy farmers, as well as universities and community based
organizations. The project allows DGA and its partners to strengthen the
program and improve capacity to deliver high quality comprehensive work-based
training by meeting the following objectives:
1)
Providing training and support to DGA Masters (train the trainer) to improve
Apprentice learning experience. 2) Provide continuing training and resources to
DGA graduates to facilitate their transition to farm ownership. 3) Develop and
receive accreditation for DGA's own related instruction curriculum that is more
fully integrated with the experiential learning aspects of the Apprenticeship,
ensuring consistent quality and access nationwide.
Other
collaborators: Cornell University Extension, the Pennsylvania
Association for Sustainable Agriculture, Wolfe’s Neck Farm in Maine, University of Maine Extension, University of Vermont Extension, Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota.
Federal
funds allocated to NGO/CBO/SAEOs: 85%.
Budget
toward veterans and underserved audiences: Among current 33 DGA Apprentices:
seven female (21%), two veterans (6%), and twelve farm workers (36%).
Previous BFRDP projects for PD Joseph Tomandl, III:
2010 Development Grant #2010-49400-21902, 2011 Standard Grant #
2011-49400-30540; 2014 Standard Grant # 2015-70017-22879
Number of Participants: 470
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