We are pleased to facilitate an Apprenticeship Program in order to help connect Apprentice Farmers with experienced Farmer Employers.
Apprentice Application Process
(You may download the following information as a PDF file.)
Veterans in Agriculture (VIA) assists military Veterans to develop, grown, and succeed as Iowa’s next generation of farmers and agribusiness leaders. VIA is sponsoring two registered agricultural apprenticeship programs, which have been approved by the U.S. Department of Labor.
The following shares the qualifications, fees, and application requirements for interested apprentices. The Registered Agricultural Apprenticeship program is open to both military and Veteran participants, as well as civilians intersted in agricultural careers.
Apprentice Minimum Qualifications
Applicants shall meet the following minimum qualifications:
- Age: Applicants shall be at least 18 years. Applicants must provide evidence of minimum age, respecting any applicable State Law or regulations;
- Education: Applicant must be a high school graduate, or its equivalents. Applicants must meet any entrance requirements of Veterans In Agriculture and the employer;
- Physical/Mental: Applicants shall perform the essential functions of the occupation without endangering the health and safety of themselves and/or fellow workers. Applicants can request reasonable accommodation(s) to complete the essential job functions;
- Will be drug free and agree to submit to random drug testing;
- Submit a DD-214 to verify military training and/or experience if they are a Veteran and wish to receive consideration for such training/experience;
- Provide a valid driver’s license;
- Provide I-9 Verification, which will also be required when hired onto a mentor farm.
Fees Collected
- $250 application fee will be collected at the time of submitting application.
Fees must be paid in full at the time of submitting application. Depending on availability of funds, scholarships may be available to cover the application fee, in which case qualified applicants will be reimbursed. Scholarships will be awarded to Veterans and active military personnel, including individuals with an Honorable Discharge as shown on submited DD-214. Scholarship funds will not be used if GI Benefits are drawn to cover the application fee.
Application Process
Interested apprentices must file an application with Veterans In Agriculture.
The application will consist of:
- Cover letter;
- Applicant resume;
- Diploma from highest education level completed, (ex: HS diploma, GED, College Degree);
- DD-214, if a Veteran;
- Applicant’s story: requires a minimum of 250 words. Each response to the questions below (outlining farming and related experience) may not exceed a maximum of 1,000 words per response. This information should be included as a separate attachment.
- Describe your interest in this program and why you are applying;
- Describe your agriculture, farming, and related experience and how it applies or could be used in this training program; such as experience with livestock, crops, horticulture, machinery, CDL, etc.
- Discuss your goals for this apprenticeship program and your learning objectives;
- Discuss your future goals and how this program will help you obtain them;
- Any additional applicable information.
Interested apprentices are asked to submit a paper copy of their application, including payment of application fees to Veterans In Agriculture. The application information described above, plus PDF versions of the requested document(s), and fee payment may be submitted electronically on the Apprentice Application Form. All documents and fees can also be sent by mail (make checks payable to Veterans In Agriculture) at the address below.
Veterans In Agriculture
10861 Douglas Ave
Urbandale, Iowa 50322
Please submit any questions to Beth Grabau using our Contact Page or by calling 855-951-0108.
Employers Application Process
(You may download the following information as a PDF file.)
Veterans in Agriculture (VIA) assists military Veterans to develop, grown, and succeed as Iowa’s next generation of farmers and agribusiness leaders. VIA is sponsoring two registered agricultural apprenticeship programs, which have been approved by the U.S. Department of Labor, and is looking for interested farms and agribusinesses to apply to become an apprentice employer or mentor.
The Registered Agricultural Apprenticeship program is open to both military and Veteran participants, as well as civilians intersted in agricultural careers.
Duties and Responsibilities of Participating Employers
- Have the necessary facilities to assure effective training for the assigned aspects of the occupation(s);
- Ensure apprentices are under the supervision of qualified professionals;
- Exercise precaution for the health and safety of apprentices in the workplace at all times;
- Provide a positive learning environment and encourage learning at all levels;
- Provide fair and equitable treatment of all apprentices;
- Notify VIA of any changes in status of apprentices;
- Provide VIA with all necessary, and requested documentation concerning the apprentice.
Employers will also be responsible for selecting and hiring apprentices from eligible candidates.
Employer Minimum Qualifications
- Applicant is a full-time farmer/rancher or full-time operation in the case of an agribusiness;
- Mentors maintain a culture, rhythm, and agricultural practice that provides a high quality of life for both people and animals;
- Mentors actively want to teach and to be a trainee’s full-time employer, teacher, and life coach;
- Mentors have time and capacity to instruct a trainee and give them meaningful feedback, as well as have the capacity and ability to provide close supervision throughout the training program;
- The farm or ranch has a payroll system compliant with the withholding and other requirements of the IRS and applicable state taxation division.*
*Please note that the wages paid to VA apprentices will not be less than wages paid to trainees who are not eligible for VA benefits.
Fees Collected
- An apprenticeship application fee of $250 that must be paid in full at time of submitting application;
- A reoccurring fee of $100 per apprentice will be charged annually while said Employers has an active apprentice(s).
Fees collected will be used to off-set the administrative costs associated with the Registered Agricultural Apprenticeship program. VIA will serve as the intermediary and will be responsible for related apprentice tracking, reporting, and other administrative tasks as outlined by US Department Of Labor and the Veterans Administration for apprentices using earned GI Bill Benefits.
Scholarships for mentor farms and agribusinesses may be available to cover the cost of application fees for Veterans and active military personnel based on availability of funds. Scholarship funds can be used for those individuals with an Honorable Discharge as shown on the submitted DD214.
Application Process
Interested employers must file an application with Veterans In Agriculture, which will include an application fee of $250. The application will consist of the following:
- Description of your farm or agribusiness, including the type of operation and skills that will be taught;
- Description of how this program will help your business;
- List of skills the employer is seeking;
- List of personality traits such as self-starter, self-motivated, calm, etc.;
- Position description of the apprentice the employer is seeking.
Interested employers are asked to submit a copy of their application, including application fees to Veterans In Agriculture. The application information described above, plus PDF versions of the requested document(s), and fee payment may be submitted electronically on the Apprentice Employer/Mentor Application Form. All documents and fees can also be sent by mail (make checks payable to Veterans In Agriculture) at the address below.
Veterans In Agriculture
10861 Douglas Ave
Urbandale, Iowa 50322
If you have questions, please connect with Beth Grabau using our Contact Page or by calling 855-951-0108.