The Global Cow, Ltd.

The Global Cow Program

FOR INTERNATIONALS: this is a great opportunity for international young agricultural students to learn about American dairying through actual on-the-job-experience.

FOR AMERICAN DAIRY FARMERS: this is a good way to learn about other cultures and dairying in other countries through an exchange program... while also getting some additional help on the farm while they learn.

The Global Cow Program brings interested young people between 20 and 30 years of age into the United States to learn about American dairying. You can see the most current updates on the program–including who has just come in, photos from orientations, farm visits, and interns at their farms--from our monthly newsletter. (LINK)  This program exists for three main reasons:

• To impart the skills and knowledge necessary for success with highly specialized dairy cattle.
• To encourage participants to meet with American dairy industry leaders; building bridges for future contacts and potential trade.
• To foster good relations and cultural exchange which we hope will assist both the foreign and American participants in the future.

The program was first started by the Holstein Association USA, about 40 years ago. For 17 years, it was sponsored by California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) in San Luis Obispo, California. In January of 2011, Experience International assumed the official sponsoring organization role, and oversees the program. Global Cow, Ltd., is the administrative contact.

The Global Cow Program uses the J-1 visa. This visa is specifically for the purposes of learning–and then returning back home to apply the those skills. Participants are NOT encouraged to try to stay longer in the United States by changing visa status. The foreign exchange visitors are normally required to return home to their country of origin for at least two years before coming back to the United States.

There are two options for working with this program: interns and trainees. Interns are students or graduates within the last 12 months. They have agricultural background, with some experience in dairy. Interns have some basic skills; this is often their first job. Trainees are graduates with one year of experience, or professionals with at least five years of experience with no degrees. There is also a difference in pay, as interns begin at $6.55 per hour for 60 days, and then increase to $7 per hour. Trainees begin at $7 per hour, and increase to $7.50.