Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy and Livestock Farmers (WSBDF)
The Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy & Livestock Farmers (WSBDF) provides classroom and field experience, mentoring and farm internships to young people interested in a career in management-intensive grazing of livestock. The focus is on pasture-based dairy and livestock because of its lower input costs. The school is part of the Farm & Industry Short Course program and the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems at UW-Madison. A distance education option allows students to enroll and participate via live interactive webcast and audio feed at eight other locations. The WSBDF is an official vendor for the USDA FSA Beginning Farmer Loan Program and is part of the core curriculum for the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship Program.
Outcomes
More than 450 graduates have earned their certificate in pasture-based dairy and livestock since the program began in 1995. According to a first- ten year survey, more than three-quarters of all graduates are farming, and half of these started their own dairy or livestock enterprise or businesses. Of those who are farming but not farm owners, many continue to plan to own their own farm businesses. Of those who are not farming at the moment, most continue to plan to farm in the future.
Focus Areas
Project Leader
Richard Cates
Director
- Department/Unit
- Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems
- School or College
- College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
Counties 15 total
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Project Sites 9 total
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