Dairy operations are at the heart of producing milk, cheese, ice cream, and butter for consumers. At Ridgewater, students gain the skills to manage all aspects of a dairy operation, including chores, documentation and strategies to maximize quality milk production.
Students choose from three primary areas:
- Owner-operator
- Employed manager
- Agri-business/retail
- 72 credit degree and diploma
- Paid internships
- Start in fall or spring
Program Delivery
- Willmar campus
- In-person labs
- M–F (8 am–3 pm)
- Paid internships required
- Fall and spring start
Program Cost*
Tuition/Fees
- AAS Degree: $15,207
- Diploma: $15,207
Additional costs
- Books: ~$1,000-$1,100
- Special fees: $1,300
- A Microsoft® Windows 11 laptop computer is required for all students enrolled in Ag programs. Tablets, Chromebooks, and Mac/Apple devices are not supported by D2L Brightspace, the system-wide online learning management system.
Program Highlights
Visit Us Online or In Person
Careers & Jobs
- Dairy Farmer
- Dairy Assistant Herd Hand
- Dairy Farm Manager
- Dairy Sales and Service
- Consultant
- Equipment Repair
Faculty
Lyndsay Ampe
Agriculture Instructor
Jon Barka
Agriculture Instructor
Randy Barka
Agriculture Instructor
Wade Gustafson
Agriculture Instructor
Erik Hoff
Agriculture Instructor
Thomas Lorang
Agriculture Instructor
Nate Lungren
Agriculture Instructor
Russ Peterson
Agriculture Instructor
Kari Slinden
Agriculture Instructor
Curt Yoose
Agriculture Instructor
Kim Tensen
Faculty Administrative Assistant
Sophia Berg
Meat Cutting Instructor
Grace Zeidler
Lab Assistant
