FAQ for Ag Workforce Development Program

Q. What is the Arizona Agricultural Workforce Development Program? 
A. Arizona’s Agricultural Workforce Development Program (AZ AWDP) was achieved following years of advocacy when the Arizona State Legislature allocated program funding for an agricultural apprenticeship program in 2021. This is a pilot program, administrated by the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension to support individuals who are aspiring to become the next generation of farmers and ranchers. Host farmers and ranchers agree to provide meaningful work experiences for qualified apprentices and are eligible for incentives to hire apprentices through a reimbursement process.

Q. Who is eligible to apply to be an agricultural host business/organization?
A. Agricultural host businesses/organizations must be physically located in Arizona. To qualify agricultural hosts must be food producers. Every host must be able to effectively supervise, train and provide meaningful work experience for each apprentice. Hosts must also adhere to all federal, state, and local applicable labor laws & occupational safety laws and regulations. A preference will be provided to food-producing agricultural organizations owned or operated by farmers and ranchers located in rural or tribal areas and who are historically underserved, including beginning, social disadvantaged, or veteran farmers or ranchers as defined by the US Department of Agriculture.

Q. How much is the financial incentive provided to the hosting agricultural businesses/organizations?
A. Agricultural hosts may be reimbursed up to $10,000 for each qualified apprentice. The $10,000 maximum wage reimbursement is awarded to the qualified apprentice.

Q. What expenses are reimbursed for qualifying agricultural hosts?
A. Wages paid to the apprentice(s) are reimbursable. Workers’ compensation costs or other operating costs are not reimbursable.

Q. How many apprentices can agricultural business/organization host?
A. AZ AWDP will be limiting agricultural hosts to a maximum of two (2) apprentices in a calendar year. The maximum reimbursable amount per apprentice will be $10,000.

Q. Can an agricultural host select their own apprentice?
A. Direct referrals of apprentices are welcome. Please encourage your prospective apprentice to apply for the program and indicate your business/organization as their apprenticeship preference on their application. All efforts will be made to ensure that qualified applicants are placed with their indicated preferences.

Q. Can an agricultural host select a current or past employee as their apprentice?
A. No. An apprentice cannot be a current or past employee. Nor can the apprentice be an immediate family member of the owner or manager/supervisor. AWDP has the goal of creating new opportunities for individuals seeking careers in agriculture.

Q. Is there a minimum age for apprentices to participate in the AZ AWD Program?
A. Yes, apprentices must be 18 years of age prior to starting their apprenticeship.

Q. What are the education or experience requirements for a prospective apprentice?
A. An apprentice shall have a minimum of a high school education/GED or currently enrolled in adult education classes or be able to meet all instructions of their hosts. No prior agricultural experience is required, however prospective apprentices should be aspiring farmers/ranchers and/or have plans to pursue a career in agriculture.

Q. What type of apprenticeships will be offered?
A. It depends on participating agricultural hosts. This is a statewide program and aims to have a wide range of agricultural hosts-from dairy to vegetables and everything in between. All apprentices must be provided with a meaningful work experience. Apprentice applications will give you an opportunity to indicate your preference for types of farming/ranching as well as the skills you are most interested in learning

Q. Is the agricultural host required to pay minimum wage?
A. Yes. The current Arizona state minimum wage for January 1, 2024, is $14.35 per hour. Every host must pay the minimum wage for the state or their municipality. AWDP strongly recommends that each apprentice receive a minimum wage of $16.55. The average wage for AWDP apprentices is currently $19.15. Wage determinations should be based on an apprentices’ level of experience, geography, and local market rate.

Q. What is the length of each apprenticeship?
A. It will depend on both the agricultural hosts and the qualified apprentice. All apprenticeships complete a minimum of 130 hours of work. The current average number of hours completed by apprentices is 500+ hours and is normally between 6-9 months long. Additionally, apprenticeships must not exceed 12 months. The application process will give you an opportunity to indicate your preference of times and lengths.

Q. If approved as an agricultural host, when will funding be available?
A. Agricultural hosts will need to submit a program invoice for their apprenticeship wage reimbursements. Invoice requirements will be provided before the start of any apprenticeships. All efforts will be made to streamline the reimbursements and administrative support will be provided.

Q. What is the process to be selected as an apprentice?
A. A prospective apprentice must fill out an online or physical application. After an application is submitted, qualified applicants will proceed with an informal interview to share details about their apprenticeship goals. If approved apprentices may either be placed at their indicated farm/ranch preference or be match up with a hosting business/organization. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Q. What if I’m not ready to become a host or an apprentice this year but may be interested in participating in the future?
A. Thank you for your interest. We’d like to stay in touch and send you program updates. Please send an email with your contact information or give us a phone call so that we can keep you informed about future opportunities. We’re here to help with any additional questions or clarifications.

We welcome your questions!

Please contact AWDP Project Manager, Maritza Broce at 520.621.9431 or mbroce@arizona.edu