The Ontario government is investing a sizable amount in dairy farming education across the province. The $300,000 investment, announced last week, will be running through University of Guelph’s Ridgetown Campus’ Dairy Herdsperson Apprenticeship (DHA) program.

The program will be broadening to offer a hybrid, distance education model, according to a news release from the province, and will provide training in animal health, herd maintenance and more.

Director of Ridgetown Campus Brett Sheperd says he was beyond excited by the announcement.

Sheperd didn't struggle to find fitting words to describe just how important dairy farmers are for the Canadian economy.

"Essential. Literally, figuratively - in every way. I believe it was the minister, at the announcement, who said they're every day heroes," Sheperd said.

"That stuck with me because I thought that is 100 per cent the truth," he added.

Sheperd says while securing the investment was thrilling, the work is only beginning.

"We feel deeply committed and dedicated to deliver because we know that this is a really, really important and needed initiative for farmers across the province," Sheperd stated.

"We are fully behind the province's work in investing in skilled jobs," he wrapped up.

The skills development fund application was Ridgetown's first.

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