Dairy Management
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
* Tuition/fees and additional costs are approximate and based on 2025-26 school year.
- 72 credit degree and diploma
- Paid internships
- Start in fall or spring
Program Delivery
Section titled “Program Delivery”- Willmar campus
- In-person labs
- M–F (8 am–3 pm)
- Paid internships required
- Fall and spring start
Program Cost*
Section titled “Program Cost*”Tuition/Fees
Section titled “Tuition/Fees”- AAS Degree – $16,080
- Diploma – $16,080
Additional costs
Section titled “Additional costs”- Book costs vary
- 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.
Careers & Jobs
Section titled “Careers & Jobs”- Dairy Farmer
- Dairy Assistant Herd Hand
- Dairy Farm Manager
- Dairy Sales and Service
- Consultant
- Equipment Repair