Step 1 · Requirements & obligations

Mentor requirements: five years of successful grazing experience, or Journey Dairy Grazier status with three years' experience. Your grazing system must include a minimum of 0.5 acre of managed pasture per milking cow; at least 30% dry matter intake (on average) during 120 days per year from grazed forage; and actively managed pasture (milking herd rotated at least once every 3 days) during the grazing season. You must be capable of training Apprentices in the core work processes required to operate a grazing dairy farm as identified in the DGA training guidelines.

The approval process involves an on-farm interview with your assigned Education Coordinator. Applications are reviewed and approved by the DGA National Apprentice Training Committee.

Mentor obligations: provide full-time employment and a safe work environment with compensation beginning at $8 or more per hour for 4,000 hours (or mutually agreed upon in-kind compensation); provide a $0.50/hour or more pay increase every six months as required by the Department of Labor; train an Apprentice in all competencies as laid out in the Job Book (or ask DGA staff for assistance if a particular competency cannot be provided on your farm); maintain Apprentice training records in the Job Book and online; participate in regularly scheduled Education Coordinator visits; allow the Apprentice sufficient time off to complete the related instruction within the two years of the program; allow and encourage participation in "Discussion Group" hours (pasture walks, seminars, workshops, conferences); consider hosting tours or pasture walks for the DGA cohort; and respond to communications from DGA staff in a timely manner.

Step 2 · Your contact information

DGA staff and your Education Coordinator will use this to reach you.

Step 3 · Your farm & experience

Step 4 · Profile settings