Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy and Livestock Farmers (WSBDF)

Emphasizing Business Planning and Pasture-Based Farm Management

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Scholarship Opportunities

To be considered for a scholarship, you need to have your application to the school and any necessary scholarship materials turned in by April 1st. If you would like more information about specific scholarship opportunities, please contact us.

Below is a list of our available scholarships:

Judd S. Alexander Foundation Scholarship

Established to support partial tuition costs for Marathon County Wisconsin residents to attend the FISC/WSBDF classroom program, or internships on grass based dairy farms.

Milton H. and Velma S. Button Scholarship

Established by Velma S. Button, who was born in 1899 and grew up on a dairy farm just outside of Madison. The scholarship was named after button and her late husband Milton, who was an agricultural specialist for the U.S. Department of State. The scholarship helps support partial tutition costs to attend the FISC/WSBDF classroom program, or internships on grass-based dairy farms.

Mike Cannell Scholarship

Established in honor of Mike Cannell, a Richland County dairy farmer who was an early champion of grass-based dairy farming and a leader in establishing programs and policies to support family famring, rural community revitalization, social justice and sustainable agriculture. Cannell died in 1996 in a machinery accident while helping a neighbor. The scholarship helps support partial tuition costs to attend the FISC/WSBDF classroom program, or internships on grass-based dairy farms.

Clarion A. and Henrietta (Clemens) Counsell Internship Endowment

Established by their son, Dr. Lee A. Counsell, DDS, MPH, FACD. The Counsell family dairy farm, near Neillsville, was one of the first in Clark County. The scholarship helps support internships on grass-based dairy farms.

Culver’s Restaurants Scholarship

Established by Culver Franchising Systems, Inc., Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin to support partial tuition costs to attend the FISC/WSBDF classroom program, or internships on grass-based dairy farms.

Family Dairies USA Scholarship

Established by the Family Dairies USA Board of Directors to support individuals interested in pursuing a career in dairy through partial tuition assistance to attend the FISC/WSBDF classroom program.

Lyle C. Molstad Memorial Scholarship

Established by his daughter, Marie Molstad of Sun Prarie. The scholarship supports partial tution costs for Wisconsin residents to attend the FISC/WSBDF classroom program or internships on Wisconsin grass-based dairy farms.

Organic Valley Farmer-Owned Scholarship

Established by Organic Valley Farmer-Owned to support individuals interested in pursuing a career in organic dairy and/or livestock farming. This scholarship provides partial tuition assistance to attend the FISC/WSBDF classroom program or internships on grass-based dairy farms.

Rural Opportunities Foundation WSBDF Scholarship

Established by the Rural Opportunities Foundation to support partial tuition assistance for Wisconsin residents to attend the FISC/WSBDF classroom program.

Support WSBDF:

Support WSBDF

The support of our many sponsors is what makes our work possible. Click the logo above to learn more about how you can support WSBDF.

Student Testimonials

“The most beneficial thing by far was…the network of people I met – classmates and mentors – that are actively farming…to learn from what they are doing and compare [these things] to what I’m doing.”

"The quality and depth of the presenters for the WSBDF has given our family a top notch how-to manual for entering into a grazing based business and life."

“The business plan put it all into reality. It gave me confidence."

"We came away with a barn-full of inspiration, and the solid ground-under-our-feet feeling of having been shown 'how it is' with all the beauty and the sweat right there."

“My fears were primarily financial. The WSBDF showed me that there were different institutions…to loan me money and that is what really got me started."

"I'm by nature a cynic who doesn't often run into programs, meetings, or groups that truly embody optimism and change, but WSBDF manages to accomplish that in a humble and practical way."

"I can sincerely say that the WSBDF course was everything I had hoped for, and then some. I met a lot of great people, learned an incredible amount, and came out of the experience feeling inspired"

“The School opened my eyes up to a different direction of farming that has worked out very well for me. WSBDF was very important in my decision to start a grass-based dairy farm.”

“The School made me think outside of the box…and look at the many ways to approach a farm business.”

“I really enjoyed all the speakers we had and all the real life experiences they were able to share.”

“I took the grazing courses [with WSBDF]…and this is the best crash course I’m ever going to get.”

“You have the opportunity to make lifelong friends; you have so many people there that have the same interests and the same drive.”

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Read more about

  • Pasture Management Course Now Available Online!
  • Now Available Online!
  • Learning from the Experts
  • A Business Planning Emphasis

Ride to Farm

Link to Ride to Farm Website

Each year the WSBDF hosts Ride to Farm, a 100K bike ride with rest stops at local farms. All proceeds from this amazing event support the WSBDF endowment. Click the Ride to Farm logo above to learn more.

Barn Dance

Barn Dance

The Partnering for Progress’s Barn Dance & Chautauqua celebrates Wisconsin’s working lands, and raises funds to support the important work of the nonprofit partner organizations, including WSBDF. And it's a lot of fun! Click on the image above to learn more!

WSBDF

Sponsored by the UW-Madison Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems and the Farm and Industry Short Course, both within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; and by Badgerland Financial, Culver’s Restaurants, Organic Valley, Wisconsin Cattleman’s Association, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, and Wisconsin Farmers Union; with additional support from the NIFA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program and individual and corporate contributions to the UW Foundation WSBDF Endowment Fund. A full list of each year's contributors is available in our newsletter, available through the link below:

2018 Newsletter

Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy and Livestock Farmers

The WSBDF office is located in the Soil Science Building on the University of Wisconsin-Madison Campus.

Mailing Address:

1535 Observatory Drive
Madison, WI 53706

Phone:

608-265-6437

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