By Katie Spring, Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center
The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) is excited to announce the launch of the Dairy Workforce Impact Fund, a new initiative designed to address critical workforce challenges in the region’s dairy industry. With $1.215 million in funding, the initiative aims to strengthen the workforce pipeline, improve career advancement opportunities, increase worker retention, and reduce barriers to participation in the dairy sector across 11 Northeast states.
NE-DBIC will pilot the Fund for two years. Designed to spark, grow, share, and invest in workforce solutions, the Fund will provide grants and resources to support both farm and processing businesses across the Northeast. This initiative addresses critical challenges, including a shortage of entry-level workers and limited career pathways in the dairy sector.
The Dairy Workforce Impact Fund focuses on four Key Priorities:
- Strengthening the Pipeline: Expanding the number of new workers entering the dairy industry
- Building Skills and Career Opportunities: Elevating training programs that increase career advancement
- Increasing Worker Retention: Fostering workplace cultures that improve employee satisfaction
- Reducing Barriers: Removing obstacles for employees and new industry entrants, especially through training and development
This investment will be dispersed in one round of directed funds and two rounds of competitive grants. Directed funds will go to programs focused on strengthening Registered Apprenticeship programming, increasing access to supervisor skill-building opportunities, and growing the pipeline of new workers across the Northeast region. These programs are:
- Center for Dairy Excellence’s Dairy Herd Manager Apprenticeship
- Cornell’s Agricultural Supervisory Leadership (ASL) Program
- Pilot Anne Saxelby Legacy Fund (ASLF) Immersive Alumni Apprenticeship Program
The first competitive round of funding is expected to open in early 2025. Grants will be open to applicants in 11 Northeast states, including Vermont. For more information on the Dairy Workforce Impact Fund, visit https://nedairyinnovation.com/resources/dairy-workforce-program/