New Mexico's Agricultural Workforce Development (AWD) Program is now accepting applications from agricultural businesses for internship funding. The program, administered by the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA), aims to support the next generation of farmers, ranchers, and agricultural professionals by providing financial assistance to businesses hiring interns.
Eligible businesses can receive reimbursement for up to 50% of actual internship costs, with a maximum limit of $15,000 per intern. Each internship must comprise at least 130 hours, and businesses are allowed to hire up to three interns annually. Interns must be at least 18 years old; however, they do not need to be residents of New Mexico.
Taylor Lee, owner of Cortese and Lee Cattle Company, praised the program: “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.”
The AWD Program provides hands-on training opportunities for beginning agricultural workers while assisting ag businesses in expanding their workforce. Established in 2020 after legislation passed in 2019, the program has been beneficial both for training new workers and supporting producers financially.
“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.
Applications opened on June 16, 2025.
