Serve Colorado Farming Apprenticeships

Program Description:

The Serve Colorado Regenerative Farming Apprenticeship is a registered apprenticeship sponsored by the Mountain Roots Food Project and initially funded by AmeriCorps. The apprenticeship maintains a cohort of four members along two tracks: regenerative farming and hydroponics. Regenerative farming is farming with a focus on sustainability, climate adaptation, and long-term food security. Each apprentice receives 144 hours of instruction and 2,000 hours of on-the-job training. Apprentices learn both the basics of sustainable farming and the business of running a farm. 
 
The program operates in conjunction with Colorado State University and two farms: Mountain Roots Food Project and Gunnison Gardens. 

Impact:

As the global population grows and extreme weather heightens food insecurity, sustainable agriculture will become increasingly important. This apprenticeship aims to provide young Coloradans with key practical skills in sustainable farming and regenerative agriculture. Farmers are an aging population: according to the USDA, the average age of a farmer in the U.S. is 58 years, and a majority are white. The Colorado Department of Agriculture hopes this program will foster a new generation of agriculture workers, providing job and food sustainability to Colorado. 

Population Served: 

This program targets people from underrepresented populations with an interest in farming and sustainable agriculture, which allows them to foster “a more inclusive, resilient food system where everyone has a stake.” 

Key Steps for Implementation: 

Colorado provides “scale up grants” that are given to organizations that wish to develop or expand Registered Apprenticeship Programs. This project was funded by a 2022 grant. In 2025, $348,803 were awarded across seven new organizations. 

Learn more here.

Page last updated in August 2026