Wanted: aspiring dairy farmers and Dairy Master Graziers to stem the tide of retiring
dairy farmers in New York State.
Cornell Small Dairy Support Specialist Fay Benson is recruiting participants
for the New York edition of the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship Program, the
groundbreaking, nationally-recognized apprenticeship program for the
agricultural industry.
Modeled after apprenticeship programs such as those for developing a highly
skilled level of experience for new plumbers and electricians, the Dairy
Grazing Apprenticeship, or DGA, is recognized by the federal Department of Labor.
The two-year DGA requires 4,000 hours of instruction, including 277 hours of
online classes, and on-the-job training on farms approved for good agricultural
practices and safety measures. The federally-registered apprentices are paid on
an established wage scale to work on an existing grazing dairy farm while they
gain knowledge, skills, and early experience. The wage increases over time as
skill level grows.
The NY apprentices and Master Graziers will work with Benson as the New York
DGA Education Coordinator and a 'job book' containing several hundred dairy
industry topics to prepare the apprentice to successfully own, operate, or
manage a grazing dairy farm business.
Apprentice candidates must be at least 18 years old; have a high school diploma
or equivalent, e.g., GED or composite ACT score of at least 18; be physically
able to do the work a farm requires; and have reliable transportation.
A Master Grazier must have at least five years experience with managed grazing
or certified organic dairying an an interest in mentoring someone interested in
dairy career entry.
Master Graziers often find their own apprenticeship candidates. In some cases,
once the training is complete an apprentice stays on as a dedicated farm
employee, becomes a farm partner, or eventually transitions into farm
ownership.
Successful completion of the DGA provides the apprentice with a journeyman
certificate recognized for college-level credit by the New York Department of
Labor. The journeyperson experience may help secure a beginning farmer loan
with FSA or a bank.
The Cornell Dairy Farm Business Summary has shown that dairies that use grazing
are more profitable than non-grazing dairies of similar size. Grazing is a way
to lower fee costs while maintaining animal health and agricultural
stewardship.
The Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship program that began in Wisconsin in 2009 is now
approved in nine states: Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New
York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
Those interested in becoming an apprentice or serving as a Dairy Master Grazier
may apply online at www.dga-national.org; for assistance, contact Abbie Teeter
at ajt248@cornell.edu, 607-391-2660 ext 412. Once registered, the apprentices
and Dairy Master Graziers can search the entries across the 9-state region to
initiate discussion of a possible apprenticeship opportunity.
To learn more about the New York Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship, contact Fay
Benson at 607-391-2660, afb3@cornell.edu. Benson is project manager for the NY
Organic Dairy Program, an educator with the Cornell University South Central NY
Regional Team, coordinator of the NY Soil Health Trailer, and a member of the
New York Crop Insurance Education Team.