Molitor is the the new Dairy Grazing Association/Sustainable Farming Association Central Minnesota education coordinator. She’ll help to recruit, educate and support apprentice dairy farmers, and to promote sustainable grass-based dairy farms in Benton, Sherburne, Crow Wing, Morrison, Douglas, Kandiyohi, McLeod and Todd counties.
«I’m just really excited to be starting this,» says Molitor who will continue to work as herd manager of her home dairy farm near St. Cloud, Minn.
She will work with both apprentice dairy farmers and experienced producers known as «master graziers.»
The Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship combines work-based training with instruction in the federally recognized occupation of «dairy grazier,» or a farmer who uses managed grazing.
The Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota supports the development and enhancement of sustainable farming systems through farmer-to-farmer networking, innovation, demonstration and education.
Kent Solberg, SFA’s livestock and grazing specialist, is a master grazier and has worked with DGA on many projects. He remains in his existing position.
The Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship is holding three «pasture walks» this summer and fall:
• June 28 — Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship Summer Pasture Walk, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Haugen Springside Farm, 12620 Deer Rd., Canton, Minn.
• July 25 — Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship Summer Pasture Walk, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Wagner Organic Dairy, Brandon, Minn.
• Oct. 30 — Great River Graziers/DGA Fall Pasture Walk, time TBA, Haugen Springside Farm, 12620 Deer Rd, Canton, Minn.
For more information on the pasture walks or to contact Molitor: email at hannah@sfa-mn.org or call 320.310.5252.
For more information on the Sustainable Farming Association, go to https://www.sfa-mn.org.
For more information on the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship, go to https://www.dga-national.org.
By: Jonathan Knutson
Source: Agweek
Link: https://www.agweek.com/business/agriculture/4463737-new-generation-dairy-farmers