Agricultural Workforce Development Program
The Agricultural Workforce Development Program (AWDP) provides financial incentives to Colorado farms, ranches, and agricultural businesses to hire interns and provide them with hands-on training needed to begin a career in agriculture.
Businesses may apply for up to 3 internships per year. Awarded businesses can be reimbursed for up to 50% of the actual cost to employ an intern but no more than $5,000 per intern.
Businesses benefit by receiving compensation for their efforts in training interns on the day-to-day operations of a farm, ranch, or agricultural business. Interns benefit by gaining at least 130 hours of on-the-job training and real-world work experience.
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.
Anticipated 2025 Schedule
CDA anticipates following the timeline below but may deviate from the schedule as needed without notice.
- Application Opens - October 1, 2025
- Application Closes - October 31, 2025 at 5 pm MT
- Review Period - November - early December 2025
- Notices Sent to Applicants - mid-December 2025
- Agreement Process with Awardees - December 2025
- Earliest Start Date for Internships (contingent on contracting) - January 1, 2026
- Latest End Date for Internships - December 31, 2026
Who can apply?
Colorado farms, ranches, and other agricultural businesses are eligible for this program. Preference is given to Colorado businesses engaged in the production of agricultural crops, livestock, dairy, timber, or greenhouse and nursery products.
To be eligible, a business must:
- Have business operations of an agricultural nature.
- Have a physical operation in the state of Colorado which would be considered the place of work for the intern.
- Adhere to all applicable labor and/or occupational safety laws and regulations, unless otherwise exempted.
- Be compliant with all federal, state, and local laws.
Are you compliant?
Businesses participating in AWDP must be compliant with local, state, and federal rules and regulations.
If you are unsure or would like more information, please visit the Division of Inspection and Consumer Services (ICS) webpage 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
Internship Requirements
To qualify, an internship must:
- Include an educational focus preparing the intern for a career in agriculture.
- Provide for an educational experience of at least 130 hours.
- Be no more than 1 year in duration.
- Pay the intern at least the State's prevailing minimum wage.
- Provide a supervisor for the intern.
- Provide workers' compensation insurance coverage for the intern.
Intern Eligibility
To be eligible, interns must be a student, a recent graduate (within 6 months post-graduation), or a beginning farmer or rancher (with 10 years of experience or less).
Interns may not be a current or past employee, or a relative of the owner or operator of the business.
Are you a prospective intern?
Only businesses can apply for funding through this program. If you are a prospective intern, we recommend that you contact an awarded business and go through their normal hiring process. You can also let awarded businesses know how to contact you with open internship opportunities by filling out this interest form.
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.
Where does forestry fit in? Would priority be given to loggers, or to mill owners?
- 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
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.