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 OPEN.
Business applications will be accepted between November 30, 2023 and January 5, 2024. You can apply using this link, or by selecting the "Business Application (OPEN)" button below.
Business applications 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.
Informational resources (i.e. Budget Breakdown Sample, Job Description Sample, Regulations, Etc.) can be found below. If you'd like to receive updates, please sign up for the CDA AWDP newsletter.
Join us! CDA will host an AWDP Information Session via Zoom. Register Here.
Date: December 11, 2023
Time: 2PM MST
Internship opportunities are CLOSED.
Intern applications are closed and will open in the Spring 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.
Application Materials
Upcoming Program Info Session
Date/Time: December 11, 2023 at 2PM MST
2024 AWDP Info Session will be held via Zoom
Post-Internship Documents
Business Evaluation (coming soon)
Intern Evaluation (coming soon)
Reimbursement Form (coming soon)
Additional Information
Agricultural Workforce Development Program Rules
Labor Standards and Statistics (Minimum Wage, Youth Labor Laws, Etc.)
Contact Us
(303) 869-9086
cda_awd@state.co.us