ORONO – The University of Maine Cooperative Extension will offer free training Dec. 4 in Orono to individuals who want to give a helping hand to Maine’s dairy farmers by becoming part of the Relief Milker System.

A relief milker is an individual who can step in to milk a dairy herd and thus give a farmer a break from chores that have to be done seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Cows in Maine need to be milked two or three times per day. Economic conditions and a lack of qualified labor contribute to exhausting working conditions, said Richard Kersbergen, an educator in the Cooperative Extension Waldo County office.

So far, about 50 people have attended three training sessions for relief milkers. They have learned the basics of milk production, and how to care for and milk cows on today’s modern dairy farms.

Many of the trainees have already established relationships with farmers throughout the state. They allow farmers to take time off and have backup during emergency situations, Kersbergen said.

Cooperative Extension is again offering this class at the Witter Teaching and Research Farm in Orono. It includes classroom activities and hands-on experience, and concludes with the class doing the evening milking at the university dairy farm.

Preregistration is required, and class size is limited. The relief milker network is in strong need of people in Waldo, Somerset, Kennebec, Franklin and Penobscot counties, as well as Knox and Lincoln counties. Students will be accepted on a first-come, first served basis.

Financial support is donated by Maine’s dairy processors including Agri-Mark, Oakhurst and Garelick farms. Individuals who want to register can call the UMaine livestock office at (800) 287-7170. Individuals who are interested in learning about careers in the dairy industry, as well as in helping Maine’s dairy farmers, are encouraged to participate.