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Agricultural Workforce Development Program

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. In its first five years, the AWDP has supported 130 internships at 107 different Colorado agricultural businesses.

 

Business applications are CLOSED

2024 Business applications that were received during the application period will go through a competitive review process, and approval will be contingent on available funding. Applications that were not selected in the first round will be considered on a rolling basis, if funds remain. Applicants will be notified in February. 

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

 

Internship opportunities are OPEN.

Intern applications are now open for 2024.

Individuals 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. 

Watch this informational session from December 11, 2023 about the Agricultural Workforce Development Program (AWDP) where we discuss the details around the financial incentives that are provided to farms, ranches, and agricultural businesses to hire interns for hands-on training in ag!