Posts by awalter
DGA Update: The Pasture Productivity Pail
I attended a field day last week about the Pasture Productivity Pail (PPP). This pail contains a set of tools used to make informed decisions on pasture management and improvement. It is modeled after and complements the NRCS Soil Health Bucket. The PPP provides additional information on many above-ground factors that influence pasture productivity. It…
Read MoreDGA Update: Take the lead in protecting water
SFA has partnered with NRCS to promote the MN Ag Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP). This program is supported by the Natural Resource Conservation Service’s Resource Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). There are currently 1,085 farms certified in the MAWQCP making up 780,000 acres. The MAWQCP is a voluntary opportunity for farmers and agricultural landowners to…
Read MoreDGA Update: Study Says Water Quality Certified Farms Show Higher Profits
A new study by the Minnesota State Agricultural Centers of Excellence shows that farmers enrolled in the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) had higher profits than non-certified farms. The MAWQCP is a voluntary program for farmers and landowners that protects the state’s water resources by putting farmers in touch with local conservation district experts…
Read MoreDGA Update: Thousands in apprentice stipends available
I want to let you know about some programs that DGA has to offer for their Master Graziers and apprentice candidates. Did you know that if you are an Organic Valley farmer, you can qualify for a stipend to get an apprentice on your dairy farm? Organic Valley has partnered with DGA to offer their…
Read MoreDGA Update: Congratulations, Graduate!
The Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship has a new graduate in MN! Jack Schouweiler has completed the program. It’s so exciting to help someone through the apprenticeship and see them graduate. I am excited to see what the future holds for Jack. Watching someone else’s dream come true is the most amazing gift I have received…
Read MoreDGA Update: Develop, Improve Skills With Our New Borrower Training Program
The Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship has some exciting news to share! DGA has been approved as a national vendor for FSA’s Borrower Training Program. Farm Service Agency, which requires financial management training for its beginning farmer loan agreements, has approved DGA to provide that training nationwide. FSA works with local and national vendors to help borrowers…
Read MoreDGA Update: Data Show Resilient Dairy Farms Typically Smaller, High-Quality & Well-Planned
Recently I attended the Women in Ag Conference in Willmar, where I attended several sessions on farm topics. There was one that really hit home with me. It was called, “Building Resilient Dairy Farms.” Agricultural resilience is about equipping farmers to absorb and recover from shocks and stresses to their agricultural production and livelihoods. Right…
Read MoreDGA Update: MDA Report Illustrates Issues Facing Emerging Farmers
The demographic of farmers is changing as more women and minority groups are getting involved in agriculture. The Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture has been busy making a plan to help these emerging farmers; Patrice Bailey, MDA assistant commissioner, started by hosting six listening sessions around the state to discover how we can help advance the…
Read MoreDGA Update: Grazing Innovation Center Now Open to the Public
Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship has its own course offering that has been traditionally for apprentices going through the DGA program, the Managed Grazing Innovation Center. It is also now available to Masters, Interns, and the public for the first time! The MGIC currently has seven different offerings. In the fall, you can take Dairy Cattle Health…
Read MoreDGA Update: Hiring Support Another Benefit Provided to Master Graziers
Farmers are busy people who often don’t have extra time in their day. If you are a Master Grazier in the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship program, DGA will advertise a job opening for you! This is one of the many advantages of being involved with DGA as a Master Grazier. DGA wants to help you find…
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