The agriculture industry faces complex workforce challenges, which include adapting to environmental changes. Registered Apprenticeship is a proven solution for recruiting, training, and retaining world-class agriculture talent in good, quality jobs. In 2023, there were 2,779 registered apprentices served in the agriculture industry, a 55 percent increase over the past 5 years.
“The average age of farmers is 58.5 years old, and many do not have an identified successor. Meanwhile, aspiring dairy farmers face significant barriers to farm ownership. If farm loss continues at the current rate, the dairy industry and the rural communities that depend on it could be decimated in a generation. Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship—the first registered Apprenticeship for farming in the nation—was specifically created to address this challenge.
New farmers face many barriers including a lack of knowledge in low-cost, sustainable methods, connections in agricultural infrastructure, and experience in business management. We address all these hurdles in our apprenticeship program by providing comprehensive training, support, and networking. The future depends on hardworking individuals who understand the importance of maintaining precious farmland, proper care for our beloved animals, and ultimately the very best dairy products we all love.”
- Joseph Tomandl, lll, Executive Director, Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship
Community of Practice
The Agriculture Industry Registered Apprenticeship Community of Practice was developed in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This Community of Practice (CoP) will connect you with other stakeholders to collectively focus on ways to strengthen, expand, modernize, and diversify Registered Apprenticeships in the agriculture industry. This may be of interest to you if you are a contact for a Registered Apprenticeship program that offers training in an agriculture-related occupation or an employer, industry association, workforce system partner, State Apprenticeship Agency, grantee, non-profit, or government or community partner who works with the agriculture industry.
CoP members will receive email invitations to quarterly virtual meetings with OA and USDA where members can share peer program updates, best practices, challenges, and lessons learned from others in the field. You will also receive timely updates related to new DOL or USDA funding opportunities, contracts, and other initiatives as well as the CoP e-newsletter, Registered Apprenticeship: Harvesting Our Future.
Next CoP Meeting in October!
Past CoP Meetings
Registered Apprenticeship: Harvesting Our Future
High-Demand Apprenticeship Occupations
- Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers
- Animal Caretakers
- Soil and Plant Scientists
- Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation
- Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians
To explore more apprenticeship occupations in the Agriculture industry, view our Occupation Finder.
Agriculture Industry Resources:
Agriculture Highlights
The Office of Apprenticeship appreciates and acknowledges the hard workers in the Agriculture industry.
- National Farm Workers Day (March 31)
- Farmworker Appreciation Day (August 6)
Recognitions
Read through more Office of Apprenticeship recognized celebrations linked below!
Find an Event
Filter by "Agriculture" through the link below to find an event near you!