The Beginning Farm and Ranch Management Apprenticeship Program trains individuals for farm management jobs by providing practical experience, valuable skills, connections to farmer mentors, and an industry-recognized credential. The Program was developed to address California’s shortage of highly skilled workers to fill important farm manager positions. Farm managers have a significant level of responsibility, earn one of the highest salaries on a farm, and perform diverse, interesting, and fulfilling work in the field and the office. While becoming a farm manager takes many years of experience, this Program provides a foundation of knowledge and skills that will help apprentices gain a foothold in the industry and advance their farming careers.

The Apprenticeship Program connects aspiring farm managers with established farmers who provide a space and opportunity to develop and practice the skills needed to manage a successful farming operation. Apprentices can also be existing employees that farmers have identified as a future manager. For these apprentices, the program provides a structured pathway for knowledge, skill, and leadership development to take on a new role on the farm.

The Beginning Farm and Ranch Management Apprenticeship Program is a formal apprenticeship registered with the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards that combines paid on-the-job training with job-related instruction. The program lasts approximately two years, and upon completion of the Program, the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards graduates apprentices to a Journeyman level in the occupation of a Beginning Farm and Ranch Manager.