Boots on the Ground: NC Veteran Farmer Apprenticeship

Host Farms

Click here to view the Participating Host Farms

Host farms oversee the apprentices on a day-to-day basis, assuring best quality hands-on job training. This training will be guided by an on-site mentor for each apprentice. By participating in Boots on the Ground: NC Veteran Farmer Apprenticeship as a host farmer, you’ll not only be helping to advance your apprentice’s goals and aspirations, but also gaining a reliable employee who is eager to learn. Host farms are expected to hire the apprentices as employees for 20-40 hours of work per week, paying a minimum hourly wage with a raise after 6 months.

Some of the benefits of becoming a host farm include:

  • Recruitment assistance
  • Apprenticeship support and structure
  • Networking throughout your participation in this program
  • Access to workshops, training materials, and training support
  • Customized learning objectives and training for your employee apprentice
  • Apprentices receive a supplemental stipend from CEFS and GI Bill benefits, if eligible

Get Involved as a Host Farmer

To become a host farmer, you must complete an application and be approved by the Boots on the Ground: NC Veteran Farmer Apprenticeship Advisory Team. The “host farmer” title applies to an individual grower, and not necessarily to the farm on which they currently operate.

Host farms will be chosen through an application, site visit, and interview process. In addition, all host sites must be approved by the Advisory Team.

Requirements for host farmers include:

  • In business for at least 3 years
  • Committed interest in training new farmers
  • Demonstrated proficiency in the majority of core competencies defined in the apprenticeship curriculum
  • Prior experience managing employees, apprentices, or interns
  • Ability to financially support an employee for 20-40 hours per week for a minimum of 2,000 hours over 12-18 months
  • Willingness to complete pre and post-program and event surveys
  • Willingness to meet and communicate with apprentice, program coordinators, and other stakeholders on a regular or as-needed basis

Note: Some of the above requirements may be waived in unusual circumstances or with demonstrated skills outweighing a criteria that is unmet. Waiver of host farmer qualifications is subject to approval by the Boots on the Ground: NC Veteran Farmer Apprenticeship Advisory Team. 

If you meet the eligibility criteria above and are interested in becoming a host farm/farmer for the program, please fill out the application form here:   

Application Form

Host Farm Application Process

Step One

Complete the farm host interest form by clicking the button at the bottom of this page. We’ll check to see if you’re eligible to become a host farmer. If you meet the basic requirements we will set up a phone interview and a site visit. All Host farms will be subject to approval by the advisory committee. Once your application is approved, we’ll create a “host farmer profile” for you that we’ll share on the website. 

Step Two

Arrange interviews with apprentices and advertise that you are hiring. We’ll provide you with contact information for approved apprentices whose farming goals and interests align with your own. Conversely, we’ll also provide your contact information to apprentices who might be interested in working for you. Telephone, video, in-person, and on-the-job interviews are all acceptable, but must be mutually agreed upon by you and the apprentice. We will provide a list of interview questions that might be helpful. 

Step Three

Set your course. Once you connect with an apprentice you’d like to work with, we’ll work with you and the apprentice to develop an apprenticeship contract and get registered with ApprenticeshipNC. There will be a probationary period to ensure the placement is a good fit for all participants.