FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Jenny Green
Communications Specialist
jgreen@nmda.nmsu.edu, 575-202-4249

June 16, 2025

Applications open for NMDA Ag Workforce Program

Program paves way for agricultural careers

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – New Mexico-based agricultural businesses may apply for internship funding through the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) Agricultural Workforce Development (AWD) Program beginning June 16.

The program offers funding to New Mexico-based agricultural businesses to hire interns and help prepare the next generation of farmers, ranchers and ag professionals.

A young woman in a white shirt with a pony tail and baseball cap picks a pear from a tree. — New Mexico-based agricultural businesses may apply for internship funding through the New Mexico Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Workforce Development (AWD) Program beginning June 16, 2025. The program offers funding to New Mexico-based agricultural businesses to hire interns and help prepare the next generation of farmers, ranchers and ag professionals. Emily Willis picks pears from a tree on a farm in Los Lunas, New Mexico. (Photo courtesy of New Mexico Department of Agriculture)

Eligible businesses can be reimbursed up to 50% of actual internship costs, with a cap of $15,000 per intern. Each internship must total at least 130 hours, and businesses may apply to hire up to three interns per year. Interns must be at least 18 years old. While New Mexico residency is preferred, it is not required.

“Participating in the AWD Program was a worthwhile experience for us. It gave us the chance to bring in young talent and introduce them to the kind of work we do every day. The program was well organized and made it easy to get started and follow through,” said Taylor Lee, owner of Cortese and Lee Cattle Company. “It’s a solid opportunity for any ag business looking to invest in its future workforce.”

Two young men, both wearing baseball caps, work on a wire fence with wooden poles. — New Mexico-based agricultural businesses may apply for internship funding through the New Mexico Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Workforce Development (AWD) Program beginning June 16, 2025. The program offers funding to New Mexico-based agricultural businesses to hire interns and help prepare the next generation of farmers, ranchers and ag professionals. Brice Wrye and Cache Wrye work on fence on a farm in Los Lunas, New Mexico. (Photo courtesy of New Mexico Department of Agriculture)

The AWD Program provides hands-on training opportunities for beginning agricultural workers while helping ag businesses grow their workforce. The program launched in 2020 following legislation passed in 2019.

“This program not only helps train the next generation, but also supports producers and processors by easing the cost of expanding their operations,” said New Mexico Agriculture Secretary Jeff Witte.

A young woman wearing a ponytail and a green and white baseball cap operates compact, white farm machinery. There is dirt in the foreground and a white fence, grass and tree in the background. — New Mexico-based agricultural businesses may apply for internship funding through the New Mexico Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Workforce Development (AWD) Program beginning June 16, 2025. The program offers funding to New Mexico-based agricultural businesses to hire interns and help prepare the next generation of farmers, ranchers and ag professionals. Emily Willis operates compact loading equipment on a farm in Los Lunas, New Mexico. (Photo courtesy of New Mexico Department of Agriculture)

The application window will remain open until March 31, 2026, or until funds are fully allocated. Funds are available for internships beginning after July 1, 2025, and must be used by May 30, 2026. Participating businesses are responsible for recruiting their own interns.

For more details, visit NMDeptAg.nmsu.edu, email awd@nmda.nmsu.edu , or call 575-646-2642.

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Applications open for NMDA Ag Workforce Program