Applications for the 2002-2003 session of the Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy Farmers on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus must be received by Oct. 1. Classes begin Nov. 11 and run through March 28, 2003.

Sponsored by the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, the WSBDF offers qualified students the chance to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison Farm and Industry Short Course, special training sessions, seminars in the management of grazing-based dairy farms, farm internships, mentoring by experienced graziers and UW faculty, classroom and field experience, and the potential for future support and training.

The class is followed by on-farm internships. Students who choose internships work and usually live on the farms of veteran Wisconsin graziers who serve as teachers and mentors. A variety of scholarships are available to help WSBDF students with tuition and internship expenses.

If you”d like to enroll in the Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy Farmers but can”t make it to Madison, consider attending over the internet through the school”s distance education option.

Through presentations and discussions, the seminar will familiarize students with the principles and practices of developing and managing a grass-based dairy farm business. Instructors include grass-based dairy farmers, UW-Madison scientists and UW-Extension specialists and county agents, and representatives of ag lending and other ag agencies. Fees are $300 for the first student and an additional $50 for each additional student at the same site. Registration deadline is Oct. 15.

On The Web:
WSBDF website
Application Information

The only program of its kind in the nation, the school is sponsored by the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems and the Farm and Industry Short Course, both within the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the UW-Madison. Additional support comes from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative, and the Pesticide Use and Risk Reduction Project. Grants from the Land O”Lakes Foundation and the Olds Seed Solutions Fund support general program activities.

The WSBDF depends to a large extent on private contributions to support student scholarships, internship stipends, and student conference/workshop attendance, and to compensate farmer-speakers for the grass-based dairy seminar. See sidebar for information about becoming a Friend of the WSBDF.