If you have questions or want to learn more about the program, contact Steve Kelm at 715-425-3704 or fisc@uwrf.edu.
Pursue Your Passion for Wisconsin's Iconic Dairy Industry
The Farm and Industry Short Course provides world-class, hands-on training targeting what you need to know to step into the dairy industry. Courses emphasize animal management, including animal health and welfare, nutrition, reproductive physiology and milk quality, and also include an introduction to basic business management and accounting. In the future, an advanced short course will dive deeper into herd management and the entirety of farm management. These are credit-bearing courses that can be used at UWRF or elsewhere if you decide to pursue a bachelor's degree in the future.
Program Overview
- The program will run from Oct. 27, 2024 to March 14, 2025.
- Classes taught by world-class UWRF faculty in collaboration with UW-Madison and UW-Platteville.
- Students live in UWRF residence halls.
- Access the same student privileges as four-year students.
- Earn college credits that can be used at UWRF or transferred.
- Create lifelong friendships, professional networks and mentor relationships.
Fall Section:
- Dairy Cattle Handling & Cowside Techniques (1 credit)
- Dairy Herd Records I – DairyComp (1 credit)
- Dairy Reproduction Basics (1 credit)
- Dairy Nutrition Basics and Feed Analysis (1 credit)
- Mastitis and Milk Quality (1 credit)
- Genetic evaluations and Selection (1 credit)
- Introduction to Farm Accounting and Management (2 credits)
Spring Section:
- Dairy Farm Business Planning (1 credit)
- Dairy Herd Records II – DHI & DART (1 credit)
- Special Topics: Dairy Farm and Industry Tours (1 credit)
- Dairy Nutrition II (1 credit)
- Fresh Cow Management (1 credit)
- Calf Care & Beef-on-Dairy (1 credit)
- Row Crop Production Fundamentals (1 credit)
- Introduction to Forage Production (1 credit)
Students also have the opportunity to participate in:
- Ag Forward Program
- Artificial Insemination Training
- DPW Mentorship program and PDPW Business Conference
- Special seminars with topics ranging from dairy reproduction to cover crops and agronomy
- Campus activities, including trips or events sponsored by the UWRF Dairy Club
| Approximate expenses for Farm and Industry Short Course (based on 2023-2024 values, costs likely to vary in 2024-2025) | |
|---|---|
Tuition and Fees (WI resident)* Required cost. Potential to earn up to eight academic credits/semester. | $3,160 |
Housing: Double Room Residing in a campus residence hall is required unless an exception is approved by UWRF Residence Life. | $1,300 |
Meal Plan Required cost when staying in residence hall. | $500 |
Parking Recommended. | $275 |
| Total charges per semester | $5,235 |
| Total charges for year (16 weeks) | $10,470 |
* Tuition/Fees will vary depending on residency status. Please visit Student Billing for more information.
Application Information
Ready to apply? This step-by-step video walks you through the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click "Apply Now" button at the top of this page. You can also view the short video posted to help explain the process.
A high school diploma or equivalent. Students do not have to be from a farm.
- If you're enrolled in high school when you apply, then we can work with your unofficial transcript.
- If you've already graduated high school when you apply, we'll need your final official transcript.
Follow your high school's procedure for sending your official final high school transcript. Transcripts must indicate your graduation day, month and year, include all course grades and your final GPA. Electronic transcripts are preferred and must be sent through an official transcript service to admissions@uwrf.edu. Mailed transcripts can be sent to UWRF Admissions, 410 S. 3rd St., River Falls, WI 54022. To be considered official, the transcript must come directly from your school.
The first year is very dairy farm-focused. There will be some education in agronomy, business and other areas but dairy is the key focus. Students who are interested in dairy ownership, dairy herd management or are working with a herd will be best served by this program.
As we launch the FISC program at UW-River Falls, we are focusing on dairy. We may expand the offerings in the future.