But Wisconsin does not have a standard organizational structure for training and employing dairy farmers. Apprenticeship and sharemilk-ing opportunities are scarce. Most grazing farms are simply not large enough yet to employ someone year-round, says Cates. Such students may work on an expanding conventional dairy, even if their goal is to develop their own grass-based dairy. Dairy graziers have been eager to speak at the grazing seminar and serve as mentors.
Students report that they have learned a lot from the internships.
Student recruitment and post-graduation employment are weaker areas. The school is clearly unique in how it defines and fills a niche that other educational programs have missed. One of the successes of the school is that it has attracted interest from people who want to give something back to Wisconsin agriculture. Many different levels of support are available to those who wish to make a financial contribution to the school. Cates notes, Interest in this opportunity to invest in the future of grass-based dairying in Wisconsin is strong, and is crucial to the future success of the program.