Training objectives Stevenson and O Harrow identified recruitment and training of new dairy farmers as a key challenge facing Wisconsin, and an area where New Zealand s example would be instructive. They identified four training and recruitment objectives. Identify strategies for recruiting beginning dairy farmers from non-farm as well as farm backgrounds. In Wisconsin in that year, less than five percent came from non-farm backgrounds. Attracting people from a variety of backgrounds can strengthen successful entry, energy level, and openness to new ideas in the dairy industry.
Students come from farm and non-farm backgrounds.
These students need a strong combination of dairy information, grazing knowledge, and management skills, says Cates. And while most students have dairy farm experience, few have farm management experience. Both men and women attend the program. Students come from Wisconsin as well as outside the state. While recruiting diverse students has been successful, student numbers have been lower than hoped.