We’re thrilled you’re interested in our school! You’re chances of acceptance are excellent so long as you have a strong desire to become a dairy or livestock farmer and a serious interest in management-intensive grazing. Below are the different ways you can apply:
Pasture-Based Dairy and Livestock Seminar (On Campus)
To take the Pasture-Based Dairy and Livestock Seminar on campus, most students register through the Farm and Industry Short Course (FISC). FISC students can enroll in the Pasture-Based Dairy and Livestock Seminar when registering for classes and also have the option of completing the Pasture-Based Dairy or Livestock Specialty Certificate. You can find all the information you need about program costs and how to apply at the Farm and Industry Short Course website. Also, see the scholarship assistance section below to learn more about scholarship opportunities that may be available to you.
Current University of Wisconsin students also have the option of taking the Pasture-Based Dairy and Livestock Seminar for credit. If you would like to pursue this option, please contact us to learn more
Pasture-Based Dairy and Livestock Seminar (Distance Education)
To take our Grass-Based Dairy and Livestock Seminar at one of the distance education sites, you will need to complete an Application to WSBDF and contact the site facilitator for additional information and requirements. At some locations you may be able to take the seminar for credit, and your site facilitator can assist with this. A list of distance education sites and contact information for site facilitators can be found by clicking here.
Pasture-Based Dairy and Livestock Seminar (Online)
For students who want to take the Pasture-Based Dairy and Livestock Seminar at any time from the comfort and convenience of their own home, we also offer the course on online. The online course includes all of the lectures, discussions, handouts, homework, and business planning materials from the in-person Pasture-Based Dairy and Livestock Seminar, and it offers students the opportunity to interact with the instructors and get personalized input and feedback on their business plans. Click here to see an outline of the online course materials. If interested, you can register using the link below:
The online course could also be an option for schools, farming organizations, and other groups for whom the training could be beneficial. Please contact us if you are interested in discussing possible group rates.
Scholarship Assistance
Finding the money to pay for school can be a daunting task. That’s why WSBDF searches high and low for scholarship opportunities to offer our students. Our current list of available scholarships is available here.
To apply for scholarship assistance, we will need the following three things from you by April 1st:
- A completed Application to WSBDF
- Transcripts from the school you most recently attended
- Three letters of reference that discuss your qualifications and interest in grass-based dairying
Gather all these materials and mail them to:
Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy and Livestock Farmers
CIAS
1535 Observatory Drive
Madison, WI 53706
Questions?
If you have any questions about the school or the application process, please don’t hesitate to send a message on our Contact Us page, or contact program director Dick Cates or Outreach Specialist Nadia Alber at (608) 265-6437. If you prefer, you can reach Dick by email at rlcates@wisc.edu or Nadia at nalber@wisc.edu.
