Medford, WI
Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship (DGA) is launching a new Grazing Farm Tour & Workshop Series in 2022. The events are part of a three-year project developed with USDA funding support through The 2501 Program to provide outreach, training, and resources to historically underserved beginning farmers, including Spanish speakers and veterans. Scheduled throughout the grazing season in Missouri, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Oregon, each event will feature information on managed grazing dairy production, DGA educational programming, and USDA resources in both Spanish and English
DGA’s Project Manager, Ashley Pierce, is thrilled to kick off the series on April 21st in Sarcoxie, Missouri. “We have several events lined up for the spring, summer, and fall of this year, all with unique dairy grazing content. There will be Spanish interpreters and USDA representatives on site as well as materials and outreach for our historically underserved and veteran attendees”
The events are open to the public and are designed to reach audiences with a range of experience levels in managed grazing dairy by covering introductory as well as advanced topics. Additionally, as part of The 2501 Program project, DGA is developing Spanish language webinars, training materials, and Apprenticeship curriculum to compliment the on-farm series.
For 100 years, the trades have used Apprenticeship to prepare certified skilled workers and ensure standardized training. A first for the agriculture sector, DGA’s two-year Apprenticeship in managed grazing dairy production combines on-farm employment and training with related coursework and networking opportunities. DGA is independent nonprofit organization that partners with community-based organizations and universities to provide educational services in multiple states. DGA is GI Bill® approved and is an approved vendor for Farm Service Agency's borrower training program required for FSA beginning farmer loan agreements.
“DGA offers amazing opportunities to aspiring farmers who want to be part of something bigger,” says DGA Apprenticeship Director, Angie Sullivan. “Managed grazing dairy is key to climate-smart agriculture and we’re excited to be reaching a more diverse and essential group to be part of the solution.”
Tentative 2022 Schedule for DGA’s Grazing Farm Tour & Workshop Series:
- April 21st - White Oaks 2, Sarcoxie, MO
- May, 10th - Grass Dairy & Uplands Cheese, Dodgeville, WI
- May 20th – Kellogg Biological Station Farm/Michigan State University, Hickory Corners, MI
- June 3rd – Pleasant Lake Dairy, Ann Arbor, MI
- June 21st – Miraposa 4, Granby, MO
- June 29th – Legacy Grass Dairy, Medford, WI
- September 9th – Ron & Susan Rusk Farm, Jonesville, MI
- September 29th – Terraced Acres Farm, Gay Mills, WI
- Oregon Dates - TBD
Event registration is required. To learn more and register, select a specific event from the DGA event calendar: https://www.dga-national.org/calendar
The 2501 Program (USDA Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers) is administered through the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE). Find out more: https://www.usda.gov/partnerships/socially-disadvantaged-farmers-and-ranchers
Contact:
Ashley Pierce, DGA Project Manager/Education Coordinator,
ashley@dga-national.org
518-265-2658
Angie Sullivan, DGA Apprenticeship Director,
angie@dga-national.org
715-553-0364