Boots on the Ground: North Carolina’s Veteran Farmer Registered Apprenticeship

North Carolina is home to the 7th highest population of military veterans in the nation. Agricultural jobs offer a viable path for returning service members to transition into society and capitalize on skills that made them successful in the military. However, these opportunities may be missed due to the lack of a targeted long term training program in North Carolina. In order to meet the growing demand for farmers and local foods while increasing veteran participation in the agricultural community, we need to expand access to high quality and accessible farmer training, specifically intensive hands-on training that provides long term experience and mentorship.

As North Carolina’s first registered agricultural apprenticeship program for military veterans, Boots on the Ground: NC Veteran Farmer Apprenticeship aims to increase the pool of trained agricultural workers for management and entrepreneurial positions at farming operations in North Carolina.

Registered with ApprenticeshipNC, the state apprenticeship coordinating body, this apprenticeship includes both hands-on job training and related technical instruction. A registered apprenticeship allows veterans to use their GI bill education benefits for on the job training and the apprenticeship credential will demonstrate to future employers nationwide that apprentices are fully qualified and highlight the skills they have mastered during the program.  Apprentices are paid an hourly wage and will receive a raise halfway through the 12-18 month program if they are meeting time and competency requirements.

The program will resume accepting applications in Fall of 2025.