Written by Natasha Stewart
At Wolfe’s Neck Center, regenerative agriculture is a long-term investment in people, land and the future of farming. One of the most impactful ways we bring that commitment to life is through our partnership with the Dairy Grazing Alliance, serving as a facilitator for the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship (DGA), a nationally recognized, hands-on training program preparing the next generation of pasture-based dairy farmers.
For more than eight years, Wolfe’s Neck Center has partnered with the Dairy Grazing Alliance to deliver the DGA on our campus and across the Northeast. As the only agricultural apprenticeship program accredited by the U.S. Department of Labor, the program provides a rigorous and structured pathway into dairy farming by combining paid, on-farm experience with formal instruction. Through this partnership, we connect apprentices with mentor farmers, support regional coordination and help build a strong, lasting network within the dairy industry.
The Apprenticeship Experience
Since welcoming dairy cows to campus in 2015, Wolfe’s Neck Center has hosted up to four apprentices at a time, all living and working on-site. These apprentices gain more than just technical skills. They develop the confidence and decision-making ability needed to manage a successful dairy operation.
Working alongside experienced graziers, apprentices complete more than 3,700 hours of paid, mentored training. Their days are rooted in the rhythms of the farm, with hands-on experience in:
- Managed grazing and pasture planning
- Herd health and animal care
- Equipment operation and farm infrastructure
- Basic veterinary skills
- Daily farm routines and long-term planning
Just as important as the technical knowledge is the emphasis on mentorship, teamwork and professional growth. Apprentices are learning how to farm while also learning how to think like farmers.
Building Connections Across the Northeast
While the on-farm experience is foundational, the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship is equally about connection.
Through regional coordination efforts led by Kate Turcotte, Senior Manager of Farmer Education at Wolfe’s Neck Center and DGA Northeast Regional Coordinator, apprentices and mentor farmers across the Northeast are supported through a structured network designed to foster communication, growth and long-term success. Turcotte helps match apprentices with mentor farms in the Northeast and supports those relationships throughout the apprenticeship.
From the initial application process, where aspiring farmers share their goals, experience and interests, to the careful vetting of mentor farms by the National Apprenticeship Training Committee, the process is highly intentional. Each farm must meet rigorous standards and demonstrate a commitment to both regenerative practices and mentorship.
Once matched with the help of Turcotte, apprentices and mentors participate in regular check-ins with her to track progress, set goals and reflect on their experiences. These conversations, both one-on-one and in group settings, are a core part of the apprenticeship. They ensure that learning extends beyond daily tasks to include critical thinking, problem-solving and personal development.
In a profession that can often feel isolating, these connections are essential. They create space for shared learning, peer support and the exchange of ideas across different farming styles and landscapes.
Expanding Opportunity with Growing Graziers
In 2025, Wolfe’s Neck Center expanded this work with the launch of Growing Graziers, a nine-month hybrid educational program designed to complement the national apprenticeship.
Supported by the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center, Growing Graziers brings together farmers and aspiring farmers from across the region through a mix of in-person gatherings, virtual sessions and peer-to-peer learning opportunities.
Growing Graziers helps the DGA cohort meet their required related instruction hours through conferences, pasture walks and workshops. It also creates an entry point for individuals who are not yet enrolled in the full apprenticeship but are eager to enter the dairy industry.
At its core, the program is about connection. It recognizes that there is no single path to becoming a dairy farmer, and that learning is strengthened when people come together to share experiences and challenges.
Supporting Career Pathways in Agriculture
Programs like the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship and Growing Graziers play a critical role in the future of agriculture. As the farming population ages, creating clear, supported pathways into the industry is more important than ever.
At Wolfe’s Neck Center, this work is about more than training individuals. It is about strengthening the entire agricultural system. By connecting aspiring farmers with experienced mentors, building regional networks and providing access to education and resources, we are helping to ensure that pasture-based dairy farming continues to thrive.
Apprentice Spotlight: Cooper Gilblin
Cooper Gilblin, a recent graduate of the DGA program at Wolfe’s Neck Center, is now the founder of Giblin Cattle Company, where he is putting his knowledge of regenerative agriculture into practice with his own herd of cows and sheep.
While his apprenticeship has officially concluded, Cooper remains an active part of the Dairy Grazing Alliance network. Through continued engagement with mentors, farmers and peers across the region, he is building on the skills he developed during his time on campus and strengthening his place within the grazing community.
His experience reflects one of the most valuable aspects of the program. Graduation is not the end of the journey, but the beginning of a long-term connection to a network of farmers committed to advancing pasture-based dairy.
Get Involved
Whether you’re looking to start your journey in dairy farming or take the next step in your career, the DGA offers a pathway grounded in mentorship, hands-on learning and a deep respect for the land.
To learn more or get connected, send an email to Kate Turcotte at [email protected].
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Wolfe’s Neck Center for Agriculture & the Environment is a farm-based research and education nonprofit empowering farmers and the public to create a more resilient regional food system in the Northeast. Based on over 600 conserved acres on the coast of Maine, we advance agriculture that works for farmers, communities and the environment through public education and experience, farmer training and market development and agricultural research and innovation.
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