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What can we do for you?

Most of our students participate in the School for Beginning Dairy and Livestock Farmers by taking the Grass-Based Dairying Specialty as part of their education through the Farm and Industry Short Course (PDF) program.

If you only wish to participate in the Grass-Based Dairy Seminar as well as our internship opportinities, we do offer a certificate option. And for off-campus students who cannot make it to Madison for class, all seminar sessions are available on CD-ROM.

The School also includes a variety of networking events throughout the year like computer training, seminars, conferences, internet exchanges pasture walks and farm tours, where you'll interact with other students, farmers and graduates of the program.

Classroom Activities

The cornerstone of the School is the Grass-Based Dairy Seminar, which runs from mid-November through March and is separated into three terms. The class meets on a weekly basis to allow students to participate in an internship, other courses, or even outside jobs during the rest of the week.

The course is designed to familiarize you with the development and management of a grass-based dairy farm business, and we do it by bringing in experienced grazers and outstanding UW faculty members who discuss with you a wide variety of topics including: general dairy economics, the principles of managed grazing, milking center design, farm selection, winter housing strategies, herd health, and how to develop your own dairy business plan.

Internships

Getting hands on experience at a working farm is an especially rewarding part of the program. We offer the opportunity to participate in two, four and six-month internships on several Wisconsin grass-based dairy farms. While working there you'll learn about the ins and outs of running a farm - in the first person. Internships begin in the spring and run through the end of July.

You'll benefit by working on the farms of experienced grazers who possess a strong desire to see young farmers succeed. These veterans will serve as your teachers and mentors, passing on their knowledge and experience in grass-based dairying directly to you.

You can custom design your internship by choosing to work on several farms at once. There is even the opportunity to gain experience abroad. Two students even completed their internships in New Zealand.

While participating in an internship is optional, it is both recommended as well as a popular choice. "Because many of the students were not raised on farms, we feel the internship is vital to get the students on farms to see exactly what they as a farm owner will have to experience from day to day," say SBDF mentors Dan and Ruth Vosberg.