Wolfe's Neck Farm Organic Dairy Farmer Training Program

Wolfe’s Neck Farm is launching an Organic Dairy Program in Partnership with The Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship. The program will be used as a platform for pasture and forage-based research, experimentation, demonstration and training, with a specific focus on training the next generation of viable and profitable organic dairy farmers. Wolfe’s Neck Farm has an ambitious vision and the Organic Dairy Program will play a critical role in helping realize that vision. This program is the first of its kind in the nation, and is being launched with a major grant from the Danone Ecosystem Fund and Stonyfield.

The mission of this project is to increase the production of organic milk in the Northeast while improving the sustainability and profitability of organic dairy farms and fostering the next generation of organic dairy farmers. Conventional dairy is in decline in the Northeast and the average age of dairy farmers in Maine is approaching 60. Few young people are entering organic dairy, and nationwide there is a shortage of organic milk. We will address these challenges by partnering with new, transitioning, and existing organic dairy farmers to improve their practices and ensure long term sustainability and production in this region.

The WNF Organic Dairy operation will be pasture-based, low-grain/grass-based and will feature innovative approaches for new farmers to reduce the initial capital investment, reduce financial risks and build a viable operation.

For more information, please visit our website at http://wolfesneckfarm.org/organic-dairy-farmer-research-training-program