Agricultural Workforce Development Program
The Agricultural Workforce Development Program (AWDP) provides financial incentives to Colorado farms, ranches, and other agricultural businesses to hire interns and provide them with the hands-on training needed to begin a career in agriculture.
Eligible businesses may apply for up to 3 internships per year. Awarded businesses may be reimbursed for 50% of the actual cost to employ each intern, up to $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.
2025-2026 Schedule
- Application Opens - October 1, 2025
- Informational Webinar - October 8, 2025 at 11 am MDT (Register)
- Application Closes - October 31, 2025 at 5 pm MDT
- Review Period - November - early December 2025
- Notices Sent to Applicants - mid-December 2025
- Agreement Process with Awardees - December 2025
- Earliest Start Date for Internships - January 1, 2026*
- Latest End Date for Internships - December 31, 2026
CDA may deviate from this anticipated schedule as needed and without notice.
*Awarded businesses cannot be reimbursed for internship costs incurred before the effective date of the agreement with the State.
How to Apply
Businesses may submit up to 3 applications online via AccessGov during the open application period.
CDA will review all applications, and notify awarded businesses within 60 days of the close of the application period.
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 intern's place of work;
- Adhere to all applicable labor and/or occupational safety laws and regulations, unless otherwise exempted; and
- Be compliant with all federal, state, and local laws.
Eligible businesses may apply for up to 3 internships each year.
Awards
Awarded businesses may be reimbursed for 50% of the actual cost to employ an intern, up to $5,000 per intern.
The actual cost of an internship includes:
- Wages paid to the intern;
- Workers compensation insurance for the intern; and
- Incidental costs directly related to the internship (including tuition reimbursement).
Awarded businesses may also be reimbursed for fixed overhead expenses, up to 10% of the actual cost to employ each intern.
75% or more of the total amount reimbursed must be paid to the intern as wages.
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. Interns must not displace any current employees of the businesses.
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.
Resources
Agricultural Workforce Development Program Rules
Labor Standards and Statistics (Minimum Wage, Youth Labor Laws, etc.)
History
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. The program was created by the passage of Senate Bill 18-042 with the intent of building a talent pipeline and career pathway to align education, training, and work-based learning.
During the 2023 session of the Colorado General Assembly, the program was extended through July 2029 by House Bill 23-1094. The permitted duration of internships was also lengthened from 6 months to 1 year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to file a Schedule F to qualify? (Schedule F reports farm and ranch income.)
- No, a Schedule F is not required.
Where does forestry fit in? Will 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 timeframe for an internship?
- Internships may start no earlier than January 1 and end no later than December 31 in the same calendar year. Internships may be no more than 1 year in length.
Can I pay my 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 I be reimbursed for providing my intern 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, interns may not have worked for your business previously.
When will I receive payment?
- You will be reimbursed in one lump sum upon the completion of the internship. You must fill out a final survey and submit the intern's timesheets and paystubs in order to be reimbursed.
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.