DFA Young Leader Development Program (Overseas Exchanges)

Purpose

The purpose of the DFA Young Dairy Leader Development Program is to promote the international farming community by:

1. Enhancing the image of dairy farming by encouraging young people to use the opportunities that are available to improve and expand their farming knowledge and skills.

2. Expanding the spirit of co-operation among DFA members.

3. Encouraging young farmers to broaden their view (including overseas) to observe how other farmers conduct their farming operations.

4. Giving young farmers the opportunity to be directly involved in day-to-day operations in different cultures, under different management styles, in different work environments.

5. Giving host farmers the opportunity to pass on experiences to the wider farming community.

6. Enriching the lives of young farmers and host farmers by technical and social interchange.

Outline

1. Applications for outgoing exchangees will be collected initially. Discussions with overseas partners will then be held to make suitable arrangements.

Choice will be:

2. A maximum of two exchange visits will be organized to Australia.

3. If insufficient suitable candidates apply, the DFA Board of Directors reserves the right to decrease the number of exchangees or suspend the program.

4. Applicants may reapply, but generally only one overseas visit will be allowed per person.

5. Applicants who have been involved in the DFA Young Cooperator Program will be given preference in the selection of exchangees.

6. Responsibility for the program will rest with the Public Relations and Governmental Affairs Committee of the DFA Board of Directors, in consultation with the Corporate Board.

7. Management of the program will be by a Young Dairy Leader Development sub-committee of the DFA Board of Directors. Subcommittee Members are:

The subcommittee would be responsible for:

a. Receiving applications for exchangees and host families.
b. Selecting participants (both exchangees and host families).
c. Organizing the local DFA Field Staff contact people.
d. Approving expenditure in line with these guidelines.
e. Recommending and implementing changes in the guidelines as appropriate.

Guidelines: Exchangee

• Preferably between the ages of 18 and 30, male or female.
• Available to individuals only. Exchangees may be married but spouses will not be placed. Where possible visits will be made by two exchangees into the same general locality at a time.
• Length of visit:

  Australia
  - Minimum period to be 8 weeks/maximum 12 weeks.
  - Period to be divided between 6 and 10 weeks on any one farm in an area.

• DFA will arrange and provide all travel costs and arrangements to and from the host farm. Travel will be on Economy Class on recognized International carriers.
• Payment will not be expected, although the host family will be expected to provide full room and board of a reasonable standard at no charge.
• The Overseas Cooperative will be asked to appoint a representative to coordinate the visits. This person will act as a local contact for the exchangee.
• Feedback on the exchange program will be sought from the Young Dairy Leader Development Subcommittee.
• The exchangee upon return will be required to report back to their DFA District Member meeting, and provide a written report of their experience to their Area Council and to the Public Relations and Governmental Affairs Committee of the Corporate Board.
• The exchangee should always remember that he or she is a guest and a representative of both DFA and the United States, and must conduct himself/herself accordingly.
• Applicants must provide letters of reference from their local DFA Field Representative or Supervisor and at least two other persons of their choice.
• Exchangees must show proof of personal insurance coverage.
• Applicants will need to obtain a passport. DFA will reimburse the cost of the passport.

Application Deadline / Address

• Exchangee applications must be post marked by October 1.
• Send all applications to:

Dairy Farmers of America
Attention: Ron Grusenmeyer
10220 N. Ambassador Drive
Kansas City, Missouri, 64153.

Guidelines for DFA Host Families within the United States

• Treat the young farmer as a normal member of the workforce, but it is desirable to pass on as much knowledge as can be absorbed. At all times it must be remembered that the young farmer is there to learn, and not merely serve as a cheap farm labor source.
• The exchangee would be on a host farm for a minimum of four weeks and a maximum of six weeks.
• Host family will provide full board and lodging of a reasonable standard.
• Cooperation is sought in helping the exchangee attend local agricultural related meetings, discussion groups, local dairy plants and any other areas of interest during the visit.
• Where possible, the host should seek out nearby progressive farmers to exchange ideas with the young farmer.
• The local DFA Field Supervisor will provide local support in arranging for transportation, etc. and will answer any questions and help resolve any difficulties, should they arise.
• Look after the young farmers interests as if he/she was a family member.
• It would be preferable (but not essential) for the host family to have one or more young persons working on the farm, within the ages of 16 to 30.
• Any on-going association after the exchange is solely at the discretion of the parties, i.e. the young farmer and the host family.
• Feedback shall be requested from the host family on the exchange program.

Guidelines for Host Families Overseas

• These will need to be negotiated with the overseas partner, but it would be anticipated that similar arrangements to those for United States would be developed.

For more information and applications for becomming and exchange or host family, contact Ron Grusenmeyer at rgrusenmeyer@dfamilk.com or your DFA Area office.

YC Program Brochure (pdf)