Medford, WI
Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship (DGA) is pleased to announce that Angie Sullivan has joined its core administrative staff as Apprenticeship Director. Sullivan will be overseeing daily operations and coordinating with DGA’s administrative partners to deliver the innovative work-based training program to Master Dairy Graziers and Apprentices in 15 states.
“As the DGA network grows, we need someone who is an excellent communicator and who understands farming from every angle to best serve our participants,” says Joseph Tomandl, III. “We’re very excited to bring Angie onto the team.”
With 20 years of experience in sustainable agriculture, Sullivan has a wide range of skills. In her previous position as Supervisor of the Wisconsin Farm Center at the Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), she and her staff assisted Wisconsin farmers through an 800 helpline. Services included farm financial viability, farm transition, mediation, dairy cow diagnostics and a counseling voucher program for struggling farmers. She was also the organic and grazing specialist where she managed the Wisconsin Organic Advisory Council and the Organic Certification Cost Share Reimbursement Program as well as assisting producers interested in transitioning to organic production and/or rotational grazing.
Prior to working for the state, she served as an organic outreach specialist at Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service (MOSES), and operated her own organic vegetable, flower, and small livestock farm in Northwestern Wisconsin. She continues to work as an organic inspector and contracts with certification agencies as an independent contractor.
“I am excited for this opportunity with DGA,” says Sullivan. “I’ve spent my career working with farmers and know that it can be a challenge to find well-trained committed people to manage a farm or take over when it’s time to retire. No other program provides the comprehensive training, experience, and advancement opportunities that next-generation dairy farmers need to succeed.”
Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship is a National Apprenticeship registered with the U.S. Department of Labor-Employment and Training Administration. The two-year program combines 3700 hours of on-farm employment and training under an approved Master Dairy Grazier with 300 hours of related instruction, including classes delivered online through DGA's Managed Grazing Innovation Center. Graduates are certified Journey Dairy Graziers and may advance into management, equity earning, and farm transfer.
DGA has been developed with support from USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) and Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans (AgVets) and other funding partners, industry sponsors, and individuals.
Contact:
Joseph Tomandl, III, DGA Executive Director,
joe@dga-national.org
715-560-0389
Angie Sullivan, DGA Apprenticeship Director,
angie@dga-national.org
715-553-0364