2024 apprenticeship Program farm hosts

The US Census of Agriculture has seen a steady increase in the percentage of young and beginning farmers vying for land. These first-generation farmers will drive our future farm bills, agricultural practices, and food supply.  

To address these matters, in the summer of 2023, Georgia Organics launched an Apprenticeship Program to create a pipeline for new and beginning farmers while supporting a cohort of farm hosts as they increase their business capacity.  This program supports the compensation of on-farm apprentices via subsidization rather than full-on funding for on-farm labor.  

 Applications for 2024 farm hosts are now open to potential mentors.  Georgia Organics seeks to pair nine beginning farmers with farm hosts who will train apprentices in regenerative, sustainable, or organic farming practices and sustainable business techniques.  Farm hosts must be able to spend additional time working with their apprentices to ensure they learn through guided instruction and labor.  

 Eligible farm hosts (up to 9) must meet most or all of the requirements below:   

  • Be available to host an apprentice from April 1 - June 7, 2024 

  • Have at least five years of farming experience 

  • Have a soil-based operation in Georgia  

  • Been in business for at least two years 

  • Have on-farm record-keeping and a current system in place  

  • Be a current Georgia Organics Farmer Member 

  • Pay fees associated with a subsidized compensation program  

  • Farmers must contribute a minimum of $2.50/ per hour to the hourly wage for the apprentice, totaling $500 for the duration of the program 

  • Invoice Georgia Organics for the two bulk payments required to pay apprentices  

  • Be able to train the apprentice in all mandatory duties 

  • Integrate Georgia Organics educational resources into the apprentices' work experience    

  • Work with the Apprenticeship Program case manager to create an individualized apprentice learning schedule  

  • Attend bi-weekly check-ins and progress reviews with the Apprenticeship Program case manager  

  • Complete the required pre and post program evaluations  

  • Show a commitment to sustainability and community building   

  • Have a reasonable work schedule that accommodates an apprentice's ability to be on the farm for a consistent amount of time (for example, 7:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. with 60 minutes for lunch)  

Applications for 2024 are now closed.