The Colorado Department of Agriculture announced on Mar. 25 that its Ag Workforce Development Program (AWDP) awarded more than $333,000 in grants to support 71 internships at 63 businesses across 25 counties, marking a new record for the program.
The AWDP aims to address labor shortages in agriculture while offering aspiring farmers and ranchers opportunities for mentorship and hands-on experience. Since its launch in 2019, the program has invested nearly $1.25 million to support over 300 interns at more than 250 agricultural businesses statewide.
“Labor is a top concern for producers. At the same time, aspiring farmers and ranchers are looking for mentorship and on-the-job learning,” said Sam Hahn, CDA’s AWDP Program Manager. “The Ag Workforce Development Program solves both problems by providing an extra set of helping hands while also partially covering the cost of educational internships. This is a win-win program: businesses get paid, and interns get trained.”
In Huerfano County, Redwing Ranch will hire an intern focused on regenerative cattle operations that combine adaptive livestock management with ecological stewardship. Christy Wyckoff, owner and operator of Redwing Ranch, said: “The Ag Workforce Development Program provides critical financial support allowing us to invest directly in the next generation of regenerative practitioners, ensuring we have skilled, passionate people ready to manage our landscape while supporting our business goals for ecological and economic resilience in Colorado.”
At Boulder Valley Honey, owner Chris Borke highlighted that each intern receives comprehensive training across all aspects of beekeeping. Borke said: “The Ag Workforce Development Program helps us teach and train the next generation of beekeepers and has allowed us multiple opportunities to hire new apprentice beekeepers through the mentorship program. Due to cost sharing benefits afforded by the program, we can offer higher employment rates to our beekeepers and develop long-term skill specialization in the field. This program has been wildly successful for us as a growing beekeeping operation, and all of our AWDP interns have remained with the team after their initial internship period.”
Applications for AWDP open annually every October; interested parties can sign up for notifications via the program website.
According to its official website, the Colorado Department of Agriculture includes key committees such as the Colorado Agricultural Commission among its organizational structure. The department promotes agricultural heritage while educating youth about agriculture’s economic importance and daily-life roles according to its official website. It also uses venues like the Colorado State Fairgrounds for annual events according to official information.
Employing over 300 professionals according to its official website, CDA focuses on strengthening agriculture statewide by ensuring food safety and quality standards are met while safeguarding consumers’ interests according to official sources. The department produces publications including press releases on topics like Weights and Measures Week as well as stewardship initiatives as reported by CDA’s site.
By offering financial incentives through programs like AWDP—and serving all regions—the department supports agricultural growth along with soil health initiatives throughout Colorado according to information from CDA’s website.
