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Call for applicants: Wis. School for Beginning Dairy Farmers

Howdy, all--

Thought this press release might interest you.  The School *is* open 
to applicants outside Wisconsin.

peace
michele

************************************************************
For immediate release:  6/20/97
Contact:  Dick Cates,   (608) 265-6437

School for Beginning Dairy Farmers calls for 1997-98 applicants 

MADISON--Young people interested in dairy farming have until Aug. 4
to apply for an innovative program, now in its third year, to help
them establish their own grass-based dairy farms in Wisconsin.   

The Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy Farmers offers 10 students
each year full scholarships to the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Farm and Industry Short Course, special training sessions, seminars
in the management of grazing-based dairy farms, farm internships,
mentoring by experienced graziers and UW faculty, classroom and field
experience, and the potential for future support and training. 

The only program of its kind in the nation, the school is sponsored
by several units of the UW- Madison's College of Agricultural and
Life Sciences in cooperation with GrassWorks, Inc., UW-Extension,
the Wisconsin Technical College System, and the Farm Link Service of
the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer
Protection. Additional support comes from the Mike Cannell
Scholarship Fund and private dairy industry sources. 

The school is being called a success by its students, planners, and
cooperating farmers.  Ten students comprising the 1997 class will be
recognized at graduation ceremonies on Aug. 7 in Madison. 

With this momentum, the school's coordinator is especially excited
about the call for applications for the 1997-98 year.

"We're looking for motivated, energetic, exceptional young people who
dream of starting their own grass-based dairy business," said school
coordinator Dick Cates.  

"This is a one-of-a-kind program that combines financial support,
classroom learning, farmer- and researcher-taught seminars,
internships, mentoring, and initial follow-up support to help launch
successful business plans.  From here, past students have followed a
variety of paths, including pursuing apprenticeships, sharemilking
arrangements, and actual business start-ups." 

People interested in learning more about the program and the
application process can talk with Wisconsin School for Beginning
Dairy Farmers representatives at 1997 Wisconsin Farm Progress Days
satellite farm, the Saxon Homestead Farm, July 22-24, 1997.  Buses
will leave frequently each day from Tent City.  Or contact the
school directly. 

Applications must be received by 5 p.m., Monday, Aug. 4. Application
packets are available by contacting Cates and the school by phone: 
(608) 262-5200 or (608) 265-6437; by fax: (608) 265- 3020; by mail: 
Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy Farmers, c/o CIAS, 146
Agriculture Hall, UW- Madison, Madison, WI  53706; or by e-mail:
rlcates@facstaff.wisc.edu 


Writer:  Michele Gale-Sinex, Center for Integrated Agricultural
Systems, (608) 262-8018 
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Michele Gale-Sinex, communications manager
Center for Integrated Ag Systems 
UW-Madison College of Ag and Life Sciences
Voice: (608) 262-8018   FAX: (608) 265-3020
http://www.wisc.edu/cias/
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
In the towers of steel, belief goes on
and on, in this heartland, in this heartland
soil.  --U2