Wolfe’s Neck Center’s Organic Dairy Research and Training program was the first of its kind in the nation. This innovative program serves as a testing ground for new management technologies and techniques, while also training the next generation of farmers in rotational grazing and regenerative agricultural systems.
Our organic dairy features a herd of Jersey and Holstein cows, with about 30 milking cows at any given time.
The Wolfe’s Neck Center’s Training Program is part of the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship, a National Apprenticeship under the U.S. Department of Labor-Employment and Training Administration. It consists of 4,000 hours of training over a period of two years. Of these hours, 3,712 hours are focused on employment and mentoring under an approved Master Dairy Grazier.
Using the platform of dairy farming, the goal of our apprenticeship program is to prepare food systems leaders to take the mindset, skills, and experience they have gained here at Wolfe’s Neck Center to be successful. The unique team atmosphere allows for peer-to-peer mentoring, as well as opportunities for professional development. This program was launched in partnership with Stonyfield.
We need to be able to test theories of change for agriculture to become a solution to the climate crisis. Wolfe’s Neck Center offers a great setting to test new technologies, techniques, and ideas due to our combination of a quasi-academic atmosphere and working farm. Learn more about our current research below.
Annabelle grew up right next door in Cumberland, Maine, and attended Wolfe’s Neck Center Farm Camp growing up. Her mom had owned an organic gelato company and lugging bags of milk around the Common Ground Fair marked Annabelle’s first exposure to the intricacies of the organic dairy industry. She started her last semester of college at a farm in India where she learned about adaptive agriculture and relationships with and between education, social spaces, and ecosystems.
Annabelle graduated from Colby College in 2023 with a B.A. in English with a concentration in Creative Writing and a Philosophy minor. Two weeks afterward, she joined the dairy team! Deciding where to land after graduating was largely influenced by her fond memories of visiting local farms in her childhood, as well as the generative nature of outdoor and physical work. She feels lucky to be contributing to the Wolfe’s Neck Center community that she benefitted from and hopes to foster that interest in others while she’s here. When she’s not at the barn, she can likely be found backpacking, at a concert, or on a walk with her cat, Wybie.
Cooper recently made the move from South Boston to Freeport, Maine to persue a career in sustainable farming operations.
He has always wanted to start a business that helps others live their best lives. With the Wolfe’s Neck Center’s Dairy Apprenticeship Program, he hopes to join the legacy of Organic Farmers in Maine!
In his free time, Cooper loves to fish, cook, and hike.
I fell in love with grazing, and working with beef cows at the previous farm where I worked, Free Union Grass Farm in central Virginia. During my last season there, I bought a Jersey milk cow and sold raw milk as a side project. I learned that dairy cows and the management practices that comes along with milking cows was totally different than beef, and wanted to further my education in dairy by doing an internship. I made a trip to Wolfe’s Neck, and immediately fell in love with the landscape. It wasn’t too long after that initial visit when I actually moved and started working here.
After completing the Organic Dairy Apprenticeship in 2019, I became Wolfe’s Neck’s Journeyperson, managing all non-dairy livestock on the farm.
I love playing guitar/watching live music, cooking, eating good food, drinking milk, and snowboarding.
Graduated November 2018
After graduating from college I started an apprenticeship at Aldermere Farm in Rockport Maine. After completing that program, I was looking for another apprenticeship and found Wolfe’s Neck Farm.
I take care of all the animals at Wolfe’s Neck Center.
When I’m not at Wolfe’s Neck, I spend a lot of time traveling home to Missouri, hanging out at the Banter house with the other apprentices, and exploring Freeport.
Growing up in Ansonia, Connecticut I did not have much of a farm background. During high school, I volunteered and worked at a horse farm, and it was during this time that I decided I wanted to pursue an agricultural degree in college. While attending UCONN, I majored in Sustainable Farm and Ranch Management and became involved with the school farm. I worked with the beef cattle, sheep and chickens, but I truly enjoyed working with the dairy cows. While school was in session I was also able to milk at night and I came to realize that dairy farming was the route I wanted to follow. After graduating from UCONN I was in search of an opportunity to learn as much as I could about dairy farming and all things farming in general. When I visited Wolfe’s Neck Center I was not only captivated by the beautiful area, but I was excited to learn about the sustainable farming philosophy of the organization and grazing dairy operation. I chose to become a part of the Wolfe’s Neck team because I want to gather all the knowledge I can about managing a sustainable grass-fed dairy farm while also learning about other livestock, mechanics, and the business side of owning and operating a farm. I can’t wait to help Wolfe’s Neck Center succeed and grow.
In my spare time I enjoy playing sports, especially basketball. I also enjoy knitting, reading, exploring the outdoors and hanging out with friends.
Graduated May 2018
Unlike many dairy farmers it wasn’t until my senior year of high school that I was introduced to dairy farming when a classmate invited me to visit her family farm. The family took me under their wings and taught me all they could about dairy farming, including the financial hardships that all too commonly come with it. Quickly, I fell in love with not just the cows but the dairy farming way of life. These people were dedicated, worked hard, yet struggled financially, and this really bothered me. The following year I entered college at SUNY Cobleskill, choosing Agricultural Business Management as my major, hoping to find some answers and solutions to the financial problems which my friends and many small dairy farms face.Shortly after entering college I learned more about U.S. milk pricing and the various ways dairy farmers can differentiate themselves. My friends had been shipping milk conventionally for a pretty low pay price, yet were farming very closely to the required organic standards, which actually paid a much higher price. I presented this information to my friends, and then helped them successfully through the USDA organic grass-fed certification progress. Upon graduating with my Bachelors I joined the Dairy Grazing Apprentice Program looking not only to gain a broad based hands on farming experience, where I could be fully immersed in each aspect of the farm, but also to learn more about public education. I think it’s important for consumers to be able to see where there food is coming from and to experience farm life, much like I had just a few years ago. Wolfe’s Neck was the perfect place for me to continue not just with my own education, but with educating others as well!I’m one of the dairy team members, getting to not only keep our cows happy and healthy every day, but also being a key member in looking at how to keep our soils and land regenerative for a sustainable future.I love spending time with my family and 2 younger brothers who live in North Carolina! Most of my hobbies include anything that gives me a chance to be outside, hiking, paddle boarding, skiing and horseback riding. My more unique and prominent hobby would be MMA, I spend the majority of my free time training at a local gym. My favorite place to be, other than with cows of course, is in front of my favorite punching bag. The whole dairy team can tell you that if I’m not at the farm or gym, then there’s a pretty good chance I’m at my favorite chicken wing spot!
Graduated December 2018
I came to Wolfe’s Neck because I wanted to learn about the dairy industry. Another big appeal was that it was a public farm. I did not grow up on a farm, so now I get to teach and educate visitors about the farm and agriculture.
I feed and milk cows, hay, and snuggle baby animals.
When I’m not at Wolfe’s Neck I visit other farms and explore Maine.
Graduated February 2019
After graduating from high school I was thinking about going to school for something in the agriculture field and heard about Wolfe’s Neck Teen Ag program. After working on the farm for a summer I knew I was in the right field. I went to Kennebec Valley Community College to learn more about sustainable agriculture. While in college I worked at several farms, and traveled around shearing sheep. After graduating in 2016 I still wanted to continue to learn more sustainable practices. Wolfe’s Neck and the apprenticeship program seemed like a perfect fit so here I am.
Most days I milk cows and have fun.
When I am not at Wolfe’s Neck I am a kayaking, woodcarving, sheep-shearing shepherdess.
I grew up in New London, New Hampshire with a population of about 4,000 people. It’s in a rural area with many family farms, and I lived across the street from my cousins who operated and ran their own family farm. I spent a great amount of time there, which is where I became interested in farming.
After volunteering and working at various horse farms during high school, I decided that I wanted to work on a farm. I worked at Cascade Brook Farm for over a year in North Sutton, New Hampshire, where they raise 100% Grass Fed Black Angus Beef and Pasture Raised Berkshire Pork. They also have chickens and sell their eggs. Working on this farm, I learned the crucial aspects of farming.
It wasn’t until my boss found Wolfe’s Neck Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship program online and mentioned it to me that I became interested. During my visit here, I was not only blown away by the views but also by the healthy and well-kept livestock, friendly people and opportunities to learn. I had never been interested in dairy farming until I came to WNC. I look forward to learning about grazing and how to run a dairy farm. I am most excited to go to AI school and learn how to operate and take care of farm equipment. After graduating from this program, I hope to feel confident in running my own farm.
In my free time, I am usually taking and/or editing photos, listening to music, spending time with friends, exploring or traveling back to New Hampshire to see my family.
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