The Chinese dairy industry has expanded rapidly as the growing middle class demands higher protein diets. However, because there were not many dairy farms in China’s traditional agricultural system, few farmers and farm managers have the knowledge and experience to run dairy farms using modern, science-based practices. To improve dairy science knowledge, Nestlé opened a comprehensive, collaborative, science-based Dairy Farming Institute (DFI) in 2014 that includes farms, laboratories, classrooms, living quarters, offices, and cafeteria in Shuangcheng, Heilongjiang Province, in northeastern China. The University of Wisconsin-Madison was chosen to lead DFI course development. Faculty, staff and affiliates of the UW-Madison work on all elements of curriculum design, program planning, establishment of learning objectives and core competencies, and evaluation of training programs and trainers. Courses are developed by teams of UW subject matter experts, industry partners and DFI trainers, and include instruction at basic, intermediate, and advanced levels for farm workers, supervisors and managers, and for dairy professionals such as veterinarians and nutritionists. Courses developed are practical, hands-on, and science-based with a goal of consistency in content, evaluation, and excellence in course delivery. Courses are offered many times and the trainers delivering the lectures, and leading the group case study work and hands-on activities in the barns or laboratories may be different from one course to the next. Therefore, materials must include clear instructions for future trainers and train the trainer sessions are provided before every new course. New trainers are evaluated, suggestions and advice are provided, and those who receive favorable evaluations continue to teach the DFI courses, making the program sustainable. Participating DFI partners include Alltech, Alta Genetics, Avery Weigh-Tronix, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eastrock, Elanco, Foester Technik, GEA, Goke/Storti, IFCN, Land O’Lakes, SCR, Zoetis, and Northeast Agricultural University in Harbin.