Animal Care Evaluators and Trainers

FARM Animal Care evaluators are certified individuals who conduct second-party evaluations on behalf of FARM Animal Care participants. Certified individuals can be full-time, part-time or contractors through FARM Animal Care Program participants. Evaluators work alongside dairy producers to identify strengths and outline areas for improvement related to animal care.

FARM Animal Care Evaluator Trainers are individuals who are certified to not only complete second-party evaluations, but administer training for second-party evaluators.

To be qualified to complete evaluator or trainer training, trainees must meet the prerequisites detailed below in addition to completing and passing certification on an annual basis.

Please note: FARM does not employ evaluators. Individuals wishing to becoming certified evaluators should first secure employment or a contract with a FARM program participant.

Animal Care Evaluator Expectations

      • Follow all safety guidelines and use proper biosecurity protocols set forth by the FARM Animal Care Program, as well as the individual farmer
      • Maintain and safeguard the confidentiality of the dairy facility’s information
      • Properly communicate evaluation expectations to farmers
      • Assist the dairy facility in completing any corrective action plans
      • Coordinate scheduling between farmer and third-party verifier
      • Evaluators should attend third-party verifications if possible
      • Be polite and courteous
      • Follow up and resolve necessary action plans created during Third-Party Verification

      • Follow all safety guidelines and use proper biosecurity protocols set forth by the FARM Animal Care Program, as well as the individual farmer
      • Maintain and safeguard the confidentiality of the dairy facility’s information
      • Properly communicate evaluation expectations to farmers
      • Assist the dairy facility in completing any corrective action plans
      • Coordinate scheduling between farmer and third-party verifier
      • Evaluators should attend third-party verifications if possible
      • Be polite and courteous
      • Follow up and resolve necessary action plans created during Third-Party Verification
      • Facilitate evaluator trainings as instructed by program staff
        • Trainers are expected to conduct a total of 10 2nd party evaluations or shadow evaluations annually
      • Conduct shadow evaluations as appropriate
      • Follow all safety guidelines and use proper biosecurity protocols set forth by the FARM Animal Care Program, as well as the individual farmer
      • Maintain and safeguard the confidentiality of the dairy facility’s information
      • Properly communicate evaluation expectations to farmers
      • Assist the dairy facility in completing any corrective action plans
      • Coordinate scheduling between farmer and third-party verifier
      • Evaluators should attend third-party verifications if possible
      • Be polite and courteous
      • Follow up and resolve necessary action plans created during third-party verification

Animal Care Evaluator Training

Applicants must apply for initial approval for Animal Care Version 4.0 training regardless if they have been certified in pervious FARM Animal Care versions. Once an individual has completed an initial application for Version 4.0, they must reapply for annual recertification.

  • Experience
    • Evaluators must have at least a combination of five years of education and/or on-dairy farm industry experience. Education experience can include animal science, dairy science or other relevant curriculum.
    • Evaluators Trainers must have at least a combination of eight years of education and/or on-dairy farm industry experience. Education experience can include animal science, dairy science or other relevant curriculum.
      Credentials must be verified through a resume, CV, summary of experience or similar document with three dairy farm or industry references reviewed and approved by FARM staff
  • Individuals must be able to perform basic email, internet, and mobile tablet and computer functions.
  • Individuals must be capable of easily communicating with FARM Program staff on a regular basis via email and/or phone.
  • Evaluators must implement the program with the highest level of integrity.
  • Physical Requirements:
    • Sit, stand, and bend
    • Verbally communicate; and hear.
    • Walk and stand for up to 8 hours per day
    • May occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
    • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Applicants who meet prerequisites must apply for approval to train.

Have you ever completed a FARM Version 4.0 Training?

There are two applications, one for first-time Animal Care Version 4.0 Evaluators/Trainers and one for recertifying Animal Care Version 4.0 Evaluators/Trainers. Use the guide below to select the appropriate application.

I have never completed Animal Care V4.0 Training

Complete the application for first-time applicants

I have previously completed an Animal Care V4.0 Training

Complete the application for recertification

When completing the application, applicants must include the name and email of their Evaluator Trainer or note they are participating in a FARM-led training. If you need help locating a trainer, please use our map of independent evaluators and trainers or email dairyfarm@nmpf.org for assistance.

Before approval to complete an animal care evaluator training, all first-time version 4 or later evaluator applicants must complete an phone interview conducted by FARM staff. FARM staff will utilize this rubric to complete the interview. Once an application has been approved, FARM will reach out to applicants to schedule a phone interview.

Certification will be based on an assessment of:

  1. Performance on pre-training work
  2. Completion of in-classroom/virtual training
  3. Completion of on-farm practicum
  4. Completion of database practicum
  5. Performance on training tests
  6. Approval by FARM Program staff

Evaluator Trainers

Evaluator Trainers are required to attend a 2.5 day initial training in-person hosted by FARM. FARM hosts four trainings annually. At the completion of the training, trainers but pass a written multiple choice exam.  View the FARM events calendar for upcoming training dates.

Evaluators

Evaluator are required to attend a 2 day initial training in-person hosted by FARM. FARM hosts four trainings annually. At the completion of the training, trainers but pass a written multiple choice exam.  View the FARM events calendar for upcoming training dates.

Evaluators and Trainers must re-certify on an annual basis in-person or via live webinar conducted by a FARM- Evaluator Trainer or at a FARM-hosted training and must be shadowed by an Evaluator Trainer a minimum of once per year.

Recertification

Evaluators and trainers must complete and pass annual recertification courses after completing an initial training in the current version of FARM. Recertifying evaluators and trainers must submit a shortened application but are not required to re-interview to be eligible to retrain.

Evaluator Trainers

Evaluator Trainers are required to attend an in-person recertification course hosted by FARM annually (every 365 days) and pass a written multiple choice exam. training in-person hosted by FARM. FARM hosts four trainings annually. At the completion of the training, trainers but pass a written multiple choice exam.  View the FARM events calendar for upcoming training dates.

Evaluators

Evaluator are required to attend a recertification course annually (every 365 days) and pass a written multiple choice exam. This training can be conducted in-person or virtually live hosted by FARM or a certified evaluator trainer. FARM hosts four trainings annually. At the completion of the training, trainers but pass a written multiple choice exam.  View the FARM events calendar for upcoming training dates.
Apply to Recertify as a Version 4 Animal Care Evaluator or Trainer

Shadow Evaluations

Evaluators and Trainers are required to participate in an annual shadow evaluation for review, personal development and calibration of evaluating techniques.

  • Evaluators are shadowed by a certified trainer.
  • Trainers are shadowed by FARM via a contracted vendor.

NOTE: The shadow evaluation requirement has been lifted in 2020 and 2021.

Animal Care Evaluator Training Resources

Material
Last Updated
Type

Attending a Trainer-Hosted Training Fact Sheet

Mar 01, 2021

PDF

English

Trainer-Hosted Training Fact Sheet

Mar 01, 2021

PDF

English

Animal Care Evaluator and Trainers FAQ

 

Training

The FARM Program will identify which prerequisite the applicant fails to meet. When the applicant has met the prerequisites, they may reapply using the evaluator/evaluator trainer application.

The FARM Program will allow another interview conducted by a FARM Animal Care Task Force member. If the interviewee does not meet the expectations in the follow-up interview, they must wait three months to reinterview with the FARM Program. While waiting, the applicant should continue studying the FARM Program website and related resources.

Trainees may retake the certification exam and observation quiz one time. Testing is proctored by a certified evaluator trainer. If the trainee fails to achieve a cumulative score of 80% after two attempts, they must reattend an in-person training.

Trainees may retake the certification exam and observation quiz one time. Testing is proctored by a certified evaluator trainer. If the trainee fails to achieve a cumulative score of 80% after two attempts, they must reattend an in-person training.

 

Database

If an evaluator forgets their password, they should select the “Forgot your password?” link under the log-in button. After resetting your password, you will receive an email with instructions for creating a new password. Please email daiyfarm@nmpf.org if you do not receive this email.