BUILDING A NC AGRICULTURAL APPRENTICESHIP FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND RURAL OPPORTUNITIES (NC AAERO)

The overall project goal of this RAP proposal, NC AAERO, is to define, develop and implement a new statewide Registered Sustainable Mixed Vegetable Production Apprenticeship Program in NC that increases the preparedness of the workforce for entry level management jobs in the agricultural sector.To meet the overall goal, we have developed 6 specific program objectives:1) Design and register apprenticeship program and curriculum2) Recruit 12 current or future community college students (6 per year) to participate in and complete the Sustainable Mixed Vegetable Production Apprenticeship3) Evaluate participants' knowledge and technical skills gained4) Promote the SMVP apprenticeship as a model for community colleges and farmer training programs across NC through the ApprenticeshipNC annual conference, webinars, social media, and sustainable agriculture conferences across the state and southeast.5) Institutionalize and sustain the SMVP program after the USDA funding ends.6) Promote pipeline to NC State for further education with interested apprentices