Sustainable Vegetable Production Registered Apprenticeship

The Sustainable Vegetable Production Apprenticeship (SVP) connects experienced vegetable farmers with aspiring vegetable growers and future farmers for hands-on training and learning opportunities in and out of the fields of North Carolina. The SVP Apprenticeship is a registered apprenticeship program with ApprenticeshipNC under the NC Community College program.

Apprentices complete more than 2,500 hours of hands-on training as paid employees of a registered farm over the course of two growing seasons. During this time, they are supported in at least 185 hours of related instruction through approved courses, conferences, and learning opportunities.

Positions are available to start between February 1 – April 1, 2025.

Apprenticeship dates: 

Applications are received on a rolling basis. Positions remain available for applicants currently working on farms. Applications for the 2025 season are currently being accepted. Apprentices and farm hosts approved and matched can begin the program in February 2025 and will participate in the program for 18 months (typically two growing seasons; specific dates will depend on the farmer’s schedule and growing seasons).

Apprentices gain: 

  • Hands-on training with skilled farmers who are successful in their trade
  • Support finding farmers with whom to apprentice in NC
  • Minimum wage and wage increases every 6 months over the course of the apprenticeship
  • Guidance and financial support in receiving additional education (we call “related instruction”)
  • Support from the SVP coordinators prior to and during your apprenticeship
  • The state of North Carolina has established free community college tuition if students register through the Registered Apprenticeship Program within 120 days of graduating high school. For more information about the benefits of a Registered Apprenticeship Program, visit apprenticeshipnc.com/apprentices.

Learn more about becoming an apprentice.

Apprentice Application Form

Host farms benefit from: 

  • Assistance with recruiting and vetting a qualified farm employee eager to learn and contribute to your operation
  • A farm employee with a commitment to two seasons
  • Guidance for ensuring apprentices learn core skills and financial support for an apprentice’s supplemental education
  • Support from SVPA coordinators in recruiting, onboarding and guiding apprentices during their employment on your farm

Learn more about becoming a farm host.

Farm Hosts Apply here

How the SVP Apprenticeship Works

  • Registered host farmers and approved apprentices complete hiring process
    • Registered host farmers can contact apprentice applicants who might be a good fit
    • Approved apprentices can contact registered host farmers or suggest to prospective farm employers that they register with SVPA to host an apprentice
    • Host farmers interview candidates and communicate with SVPA when they hire an apprentice
  • During the apprenticeship
    • Apprentices complete a pre-skills assessment and related instruction work plan
    • Apprentices and host farmers meet with a program coordinator on a monthly basis
    • Apprentices participate in related instruction and document their participation and learnings
    • Apprentices and host farmers collaborate on assessing the apprentice’s competencies gained from hands-on learning and related instruction

Registered SVP Apprenticeship Farms In NC

A map of participating host farms can be found here. Each icon marks the location of an approved host farm that is either currently seeking an apprentice or has an active apprentice on the farm.

No farm where you want to apprentice? No problem! Let farms know that they can register with the SVP Apprenticeship program and host apprentices. Contact us or share this link with your prospective farm employer to register with SVPA.

We’re Learning Together 

The SVP Apprenticeship is a new initiative led by CEFS and with community partners across the state of North Carolina. We are learning together how farmers, apprentices, and our support team can best train the next generation of sustainable vegetable growers.

We’re grateful to the following organizations and efforts who have informed the creation of our apprenticeship programs:

  • ApprenticeshipNC
  • Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (Advisory Member)
  • Central Carolina Community College (Advisory Member)
  • Dig In!
  • Pennsylvania Association of Sustainable Agriculture (PASA)
  • Center for Land Based Learning

This apprenticeship program is supported by:

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the Agricultural Workforce Training Grants program, [Accession No. 1025532 Project No. NC09912].