The Agricultural Workforce Development Program (AWDP) provides financial incentives to farms, ranches, and agricultural businesses to hire interns and provide them with hands-on training needed to begin a career in agriculture. Qualified businesses may be reimbursed for up to 50 percent of the actual cost of hiring an intern, not to exceed $5,000 per internship.
The AWDP is the result of legislation introduced during the 2018 session of the Colorado General Assembly by the Young and Beginning Farmers Interim Study Committee. Since its establishment, the AWDP has supported 169 internships at nearly 150 different Colorado agricultural businesses.
Business applications are CLOSED.
Business applications submitted by 5pm on Friday, November 1, 2024 are under review.
Applications received will undergo a review process. Applicants will be notified of their application status by December 9, 2024.
Please visit this page to find out the latest information about the program. If you would like to receive updates, please sign up for the CDA AWDP newsletter.
Candidates interested in participating in the AWDP as an intern should contact the business hosting the internship first and go through their hiring process. Once an applicant has secured a position with a participating business, they will need to complete an intern application. If you are interested in an internship opportunity and would like to learn of businesses seeking an intern, please email us at: cda_awd@state.co.us.
Intern applications will be reviewed to determine eligibility, and approval will be contingent on available funding. The agricultural business hosting the internship will be responsible for all communications with the intern.
Are you compliant?
Applicants should be compliant with the local, state, and federal rules and regulations to be considered.
If you’re unsure or would like more information, please visit the Division of Inspection and Consumer Services (ICS) web page or use one of the links below.
- Produce Safety
- Commodity Handlers
- Eggs
- Farm Products Dealers
- Produce
- Livestock
- Hay
- Hemp
- Milk
- Commodity Handlers
- Feed
- Fertilizer
- Fruit and Veg
- Measurement Standards
- Meat
- ICS Current Fee Schedule
Anticipated Schedule
CDA anticipates following the timeline below but may deviate from the schedule as needed without notice.
- Application Period - Oct. 1, 2024 – Nov. 1, 2024
- AWDP Information Session/Q&A - Oct. 8, 2024 at 1:30PM MST
- Application Review Period - Nov. 4, 2024 – Nov. 25, 2024
- Recommendations Presented to Ag Commissioner - Nov. 26, 2024 – Dec. 6, 2024
- Notices Sent to Applicants - Dec. 9, 2024
- Agreement Process with Awardees - Dec. 10, 2024 – Dec. 31, 2024
- Interns Applications Accepted - Dec. 10, 2024 – Nov. 30, 2025
- Internships Can Being (*Contingent on Agreement Effective Date) - *01/02/2025
- Internships must end by - Dec. 31, 2025
AWDP Information Session
Application Questions
View all the application questions before applying.
Click below to see all the application questions so you can prepare your answers before submitting your application materials.
See application questions Ver preguntas de la aplicación
Additional Documents
You will be asked to provide an itemized breakdown of the estimated costs for the internship as well as a job description for your position. You can view samples of both below.
Additional Information
Agricultural Workforce Development Program Rules
Labor Standards and Statistics (Minimum Wage, Youth Labor Laws, Etc.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we have to file a Schedule F to qualify? (Schedule F reports farm and ranch income)
- No, you do not.
The application says priority will be given to internships focusing on production agriculture. Where does forestry fit in? Would priority be given to loggers, or to mill owners?
- The rule says that preference shall be provided to businesses engaged in the production of agricultural crops, livestock, dairy, timber or greenhouse and nursery products. Priority will be given to the foresters who are planting and caring for the trees and the loggers who are harvesting the timber.
What is the time frame for an internship?
- Funding for the program was authorized on a state fiscal year basis. When the program started, internships could not exceed six months. During the 2023 Colorado General Assembly, the Agricultural Workforce Development Program was extended through July of 2029. During this session the program internship period was extended to 1 year.
Can we pay the intern a stipend?
- No, the intern must be an employee, and FICA and Medicare must be paid. The intern may not be a contractor with a 1099 payment system as internships are not consistent with the IRS requirements for determining a contractor relationship.
Can we reimburse the intern for room and board?
- In order for living expenses to qualify for reimbursement, back-up documentation must be provided itemizing the expenses incurred. You may not be reimbursed for room and board which is normally provided to interns at no cost to them.
Can I “convert” an existing employee, intern, or contractor into an intern for this program.
- No.
When does my reimbursement payment come?
- All internships will be reimbursed following completion of the entire internship in one lump sum.
Contact Us
Ag Workforce Development Program
305 Interlocken Pkwy
Broomfield, CO 80021
(303) 869-9086
Joanne Hernandez, Program Manager
The Colorado Department of Agriculture is committed to ensuring that all individuals have access to its services, programs, activities, education, employment, and applications.
If you need an accommodation or assistance with any documents on this page, please contact us at cda_a11y@state.co.us or 303-869-9000.