Dairy Farm Application for the Dairy Herd Manager Apprenticeship

We will accept dairy farms and employees on a rolling admission basis. Submit an application below.

Purpose of the Dairy Herd Manager Apprenticeship:

To provide existing employees on dairy farms the opportunity to receive related technical training and on-the job learning as a Dairy Herd Manager.
To create opportunities for employees to gain practical knowledge, information, and skills about progressive dairy operations stretching beyond their familiar past dairy experiences.
To provide an employee with a position on the farm that is financially lucrative and competitive with industry standards.
To allow for existing dairy producers to develop beginner-level employees into well-qualified candidates to serve in herd management roles.
To provide real-farm perspective into what skillsets individuals need to develop to become qualified Dairy Herd Managers on mid- to large-sized dairy farm operations.

Expectations of the Farm:

Farms must be:

A progressive, well-managed, dairy business with a positive outlook on the industry and an employee demonstrating interest in enhancing his or her management ability.
Willing to expose the employee to all aspects of a successful, progressive dairy operation including financial information and management team meetings with adequate training and consultation in order to achieve learning objectives.
Able to pay the employee a minimum starting wage of $11.00 per hour with a progressive wage over 18 months that ends with $16.00 per hour and in adherence with all federal and state employment requirements.
Requested time-off, hours of work, and additional details of the trial program will be determined in collaboration with the farm and employee.
Able to provide a safe working environment and conduct a safety and animal care overview upon the start of the apprenticeship with the CDE Workforce Development Manager.

Farms are expected to:

Participate in an informational session with the Center for Dairy Excellence.
Participate in 1 on 1 call with the CDE Workforce Development Manager.
Participate in periodic reviews with the employee and provide written review feedback.
Allow employee to participate in: Possible trainings which may happen during work hours and industry events such as PA Dairy Summit which occur during work hours and extended time. Please note that farms are not required to pay employees for this time off the farm.

Feel free to contact Michelle Shearer at mshearer@centerfordairyexcellence.org or 570-768-8316 with additional questions.

Dairy Farm Application for the Dairy Herd Manager Apprenticeship

Name
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Dairy Farm Name*
Farm Owner/Contact*
Email*
Cell Phone Number*
Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code
County*
Designated Supervisor*
Supervisor Phone Number*
Supervisor Email*
Dairy Farm Information
Please describe your farm including the barn type, herd size, goals, mission, plans for the future, etc.*
Are you willing to share your cost of production with your employee and include this as part of their learning experience?*
- Yes
- No
Do you have a profit team? Or a management team? Explain as needed. If none, just enter N/A*
Provide an industry person who would be willing to be contacted as a reference. Please include the person's first and last name, farm/or business they are associated with, their email address, and their cell number.*
Do you carry Workman's Compensation Insurance on your employees?*
- Yes
- No
Do you place your employees on your commercial vehicle insurance policy?*
- Yes
- No
Signature & Confirmation
Please check below if you have reviewed the Farm Expectations and agree to adhere to these guidelines.*
- Yes, I have reviewed the Dairy Farm Expectations and agree to adhere to these guidelines..
Please check below if you confirm this application is completed honestly and accurately. By checking, you are electronically signing your application.*
- I confirm that I completed this application honestly and accurately. I acknowledge this is my electronic signature.
If selected, the farm agrees to aid the employee in the fulfillment of all the program requirements of the Dairy Herd Manager Apprenticeship. If the program requirements are not met, The Center for Dairy Excellence reserves the right to dissolve the experience with advance notice to both parties.
CAPTCHA

Dairy Farm Application for the Dairy Herd Manager Apprenticeship

Dairy Farm Information

Signature & Confirmation