Thank you for your interest in Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture's Market Gardening Apprenticeship!

Applications are due by January 1, 2026.
We will review applications in January and follow up with each applicant about the next step in the process.

This Apprenticeship provides in-depth training at Columbia's Agriculture park to develop the skills to manage your own garden/ small scale farm.

Program Details:
  • Open to all experience levels
  • Program runs March 9th to November 9th
  • 12 hour/week commitment for 32 weeks. A total of 384 hours
  • a.m. & p.m. availability
  • Weekly workshop, field trip, or guest lecturer
  • Hands-on work experience
  • Participants will receive a certificate of completion
  • Program offered free of charge. Living stipends of $1,000 - $500 per month are available upon request
Develop skills including:

-Greenhouse seedling production
-Regenerative soil health practices
-Cover Cropping
-Crop Management of 20+ vegetables
- Creating a small-farm business plan and sourcing funding for your operation

For more information please visit: https://www.columbiaurbanag.org/apprenticeship

Click here for the 2026 Apprenticeship Syllabus and Schedule

If you have questions please contact Tony Minnick at TonyM@ColumbiaUrbanAg.org

This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, under agreement number NR223A750001G009. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

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* 1. Please provide your contact Information

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* 2. What is your primary language?

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* 3. Why are you interested in joining the apprenticeship program?

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* 4. How did you hear about CCUA's Apprenticeship Program?

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* 5. How would you like to participate in the apprenticeship program?

Full participation to receive a certificate of completion from CCUA there is a commitment of 12 hours per week from March 9th through November 9th 2026. To review what this commitment looks like, please review our syllabus: CCUA 2026 Apprenticeship Syllabus
**only people who are full participants can apply for the stipend

Partial Participation provides flexibility for those would like to learn how to manage their own market garden but cannot commit to the full 12 hours per week from March 9th through November 9th 2026. We will work with you to design your level and type of participation.
**Partial participants do not qualify for the certificate or the stipend.

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* 6. Are you a Veteran grower?

You are considered a Veteran grower if you meet this criteria: A Veteran grower is someone who served in the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard, including the Reserves and was released from service under conditions other than dishonorable

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* 7. Are you a limited resource grower?

You are considered a limited resource grower if your total annual household
income is less than $34,257.Annual House Hold income is your Adjusted gross income, also known as (AGI), which is your household total income minus deductions, or "adjustments" to income that you are eligible to take. Gross income includes wages, dividends, capital gains, business and retirement income as well as all other forms income.
Examples of income include tips, rents, interest, stock
dividends, etc.

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* 8. I am interested in applying for an Apprenticeship stipend.

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