Apprenticeships

Our apprenticeship programs reopen in January. If you’re interested in joining our waiting list, please email Kelly@OpenSource.ag Thank you.

We are available to mentor your search and offer certified apprenticeship opportunities. We collaborate one-on-one to understand your interests and talk about your options.

To learn more, please email Kelly@OpenSource.Ag with your contact information. You can also call at 559-670-0352. I will email the next steps, and we will meet on Zoom. You may participate from any state or any location within the US.

Our approach is Explore, Practice, Apply. We will mentor you to explore the agriculture and agtech industry sectors and practice working on projects to determine what you enjoy and have an affinity for. As you narrow your interests, you will apply what you learn and apprentice with an employer in on-the-job training. We collaborate to locate employer opportunities. These apprenticeships are personalized to support you in being a competitive applicant or competent entrepreneur.

There are two parts to certified apprenticeships:

Related Instruction (RI) is 150 unpaid hours per year of exploring and practicing for work, to be a valuable team member to an employer. We will discuss credit for prior learning with you, which includes past classes or experiences. Most RI hours take place online or at a local volunteer activity, depending on your interests and availability. We mentor you throughout.
On-the-Job is approximately 2,000 paid hours that can take place over as long a period as you choose. You may elect to work part-time or full-time (also dependent on employer priorities). Our programs are competency-based rather than hours-based. You may complete competencies sooner or later than 2,000 hours. Completion is based on successfully demonstrating the competencies.
The RI hours can start when you sign up, after we talk. The paid on-the-job portion of the apprentice begins when we agree you’re prepared and fit the employer’s requests. That timeline is up to your efforts.

Open Source Ag has US Department of Labor and CA Division of Apprenticeship approvals for the listed Open Source Agriculture Apprenticeship Occupations.

Next Steps:

Review the Occupations below and identify the top three you are most interested in.
Email or call Open Source Ag. Kelly@OpenSource.ag or 559-670-0352
Access the introduction email sent after your initial email or phone call, and use the calendar link provided to book a Zoom call.
Meet with Kelly on Zoom to review apprenticeships and discuss next steps.
Submit personal documentation for beginning the certification process.
Complete approximately 50 of the 150 hours of Related and Supplemental Instruction to qualify for apprenticeship placement, through a combination of virtual learning, in person activities, credit for prior learning, and regular Zoom meetings.
Collaborate with Open Source Ag to secure on-the-job employer placement and continue to progress with Related and Supplemental Instruction.
Meet monthly in a one-on-one progress session, or request meetings more often.
Complete Related and Supplemental Instruction.
Complete Apprenticeship Competencies toward permanent hire.

Explore Your Apprenticeship and Career Options

Open Source Ag’s 14 pathways combine related instruction with paid, supervised on-the-job training. Instruction gives you opportunities to study and practice; employer-based training supports you to apply developing skills to workplace responsibilities. Time spent in related instruction is unpaid.

Specific projects, tools, schedules, and responsibilities depend on the employer, your learning plan, and your progress. The examples below introduce possible learning activities; they do not confirm current openings or guarantee placement, a particular job title, or earnings.

Explore the pathways

Agriculture Technicians
Regenerative Agricultural Technicians
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians
Precision Agriculture Technicians
Forest and Conservation Technicians
Technical Sales Associate
Online Merchant
Farm and Ranch Livestock Technician
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Producers and Directors
Accountants and Auditors
Farm Equipment Mechanic and Technician
Farm Equipment Operator
Organic Vegetable Farm Manager

Agriculture Technicians

O*NET code: 19-4012.00

Agriculture technicians connect hands-on farm work with careful observation, testing, and recordkeeping. You understand how crops, animals, soil, and production practices are performing and use that information to support day-to-day decisions. Your work might include collecting crop samples, checking seed germination, monitoring plant health, or recording results from a small field trial. The work brings together practical production skills and the ability to notice and explain changes over time.

During this apprenticeship, you will practice planting, transplanting, pruning, harvesting, and nursery propagation alongside sampling and basic laboratory techniques. You will learn to recognize pests, weeds, and signs of disease, support integrated pest management, and compare how different practices affect soil erosion and crop performance. Instruction also introduces farm technology, business operations, and digital tools for organizing information. A practice project might involve comparing germination rates, tracking growing conditions, and preparing a short report with charts and a recommendation. Safe equipment use, accurate measurements, and clear communication are part of the learning throughout.

This pathway develops capabilities for supporting agricultural production, field research, and farm improvement. It may interest you if you enjoy working with living systems, combining outdoor activity with investigation, and seeing how your observations contribute to a larger operation. Expect seasonal tasks, repeated measurements, detailed records, and collaboration with growers and other technicians. You will build the judgment to recognize a problem, document what you see, and seek guidance before taking action beyond your training. This apprenticeship is approved by the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards and the U.S. Department of Labor.

Regenerative Agricultural Technicians

O*NET code: 19-4012.00

Regenerative agriculture focuses on producing food while supporting soil health, water stewardship, and functioning ecosystems. In this pathway, you learn how crops, livestock, soil organisms, and farm infrastructure work together. An assignment might involve preparing a vegetable bed, managing compost, helping move livestock between pastures, or observing how a planting changes water movement and habitat. You will connect everyday farm tasks with longer-term goals for stewarding the land and the business.

During this apprenticeship, you will practice crop planting and harvesting, orchard and garden care, livestock support, soil assessment, and compost management. You will explore organic farming, permaculture, agroforestry, and holistic management approaches while learning to distinguish their principles and applications. Activities include planning water-efficient systems, propagating plants, monitoring pests, and using farm machinery safely. A practice project might compare soil conditions in two growing areas, document management differences, and propose a small trial. Mapping tools, spreadsheets, photographs, and field notes help you communicate findings and track the results of changes.

This pathway prepares you to contribute to regenerative farm operations and ongoing improvements in land management. It may appeal to you if you enjoy hands-on work, observing relationships in nature, and testing practical ideas over time. Expect physical activity, seasonal priorities, and careful follow-through on routine tasks. You will learn to evaluate practices through evidence, resource needs, and production results while working with others to support a productive farm. This apprenticeship is approved by the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards and the U.S. Department of Labor.

Environmental Science and Protection Technicians

O*NET code: 19-4042.00

Placement availability is currently extremely limited. Environmental science and protection technicians support teams to understand environmental conditions and investigate possible sources of pollution. You collect and organize information that supports monitoring, testing, and decisions about protecting people and natural resources. Your work might involve preparing water or soil samples, checking a monitoring instrument, recording test results, or mapping sampling locations. Reliable findings depend on consistent methods, careful handling of samples, and clear records.

During this apprenticeship, you will practice sample preparation, measurement, instrument calibration, and the use of charts and reports to explain results. You will learn about pollution monitoring, environmental regulations, chemical-use records, and the operation of monitoring equipment. Digital activities include working with spreadsheets, geographic information systems, databases, and AI-assisted research tools. A practice project might involve organizing water-quality observations, checking the data for inconsistencies, and preparing a summary for a supervisor. Work with hazardous materials or specialized equipment follows the employer’s safety procedures and take place within your training and authorization.

This pathway develops foundational skills for supporting environmental monitoring, laboratory work, and protection programs. It may interest you if you enjoy science, detailed observation, and investigating how human activities affect the environment. Expect a combination of fieldwork, sample handling, data review, and documentation. You would practice explaining what the evidence shows, recognizing its limits, and communicating concerns promptly. This apprenticeship is approved by the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards and the U.S. Department of Labor.

Precision Agriculture Technicians

O*NET code: 19-4012.01

Precision agriculture uses measurements, maps, and connected equipment to support growers to make decisions for specific parts of a field or operation. You investigate how soil, terrain, weather, water, and crop performance vary, then help a team use that information. Your work might include checking a soil-moisture sensor, collecting field coordinates, reviewing a yield map, or identifying where additional sampling would be useful. The work connects agricultural knowledge with practical technology skills.

During this apprenticeship, you will practice collecting and organizing field data, creating maps, and using GPS and geographic information systems to identify sampling locations and management zones. You will learn to install, calibrate, and maintain sensors and work with microcontrollers, mechanical controls, and guidance systems. Instruction also introduces remote sensing, drones, variable-rate applications, rural connectivity, and water-system design. A practice project might involve mapping a growing area, comparing soil readings across locations, and preparing a recommendation for further investigation. Checking data quality and documenting equipment settings are important parts of making the results useful.

This pathway builds capabilities for supporting farm technology, geospatial analysis, and data-informed production decisions. It may appeal to you if you enjoy both outdoor work and technical troubleshooting. Expect to move between field measurements, equipment checks, mapping software, and conversations with growers or equipment suppliers. You will develop the ability to explain how a tool works, recognize unreliable readings, and help an operation evaluate a practical improvement. This apprenticeship is approved by the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards and the U.S. Department of Labor.

Forest and Conservation Technicians

O*NET code: 19-4071.00

Placement availability is currently extremely limited. Forest and conservation technicians support the care, monitoring, and study of forests, watersheds, and other managed landscapes. You support teams to gather information and carry out activities that support healthy vegetation and responsible resource management. Your work might involve planting seedlings, inspecting trees for insect damage, recording streamflow measurements, or mapping a field research area. Careful observation and safe, dependable fieldwork are central to the role.

During this apprenticeship, you will practice tree planting, nursery and forest-renewal activities, vegetation management, and the collection of plant and soil samples. You will learn to use GPS, survey tools, and digital mapping systems to document locations and support field teams. Other activities include installing or reading soil-moisture and streamflow instruments, organizing research data, and learning about environmental protection and field safety requirements. A practice project might involve mapping a planting area, recording tree condition, and preparing a maintenance recommendation. Fire-safety awareness may be part of the learning; this program does not train or dispatch apprentices as firefighters.

This pathway prepares you to support conservation, forest management, and field research teams. It may interest you if you enjoy working outdoors, learning about ecosystems, and collecting information that helps others care for the land. Expect changing weather, uneven terrain, seasonal priorities, and detailed records alongside physical work. You will practice planning field tasks, recognizing hazards, and communicating observations clearly to supervisors and coworkers. This apprenticeship is approved by the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards and the U.S. Department of Labor.

Technical Sales Associate

O*NET code: 41-4011.00

Technical sales helps customers understand whether a product or service fits their needs. In an agricultural business, that could involve equipment, technology, supplies, or services that support a farm or related operation. You learn how the offering works, ask useful questions, and explain its benefits, limitations, and costs. Your work might include researching a prospective customer, preparing a demonstration, answering a product question, or following up on an earlier conversation.

During this apprenticeship, you will practice listening, assessing customer requirements, building product knowledge, and presenting solutions through conversations and digital materials. You would learn to research potential customers, organize a sales pipeline, maintain records, respond to concerns, and confirm order and delivery expectations. Activities also include adapting contract templates within company procedures, preparing marketing materials, and monitoring market developments. A practice project might involve researching a grower’s requirements, demonstrating a suitable tool, and explaining your recommendation in a short proposal. Ethical judgment and realistic commitments are part of building trust.

This pathway develops capabilities for contributing to a technical sales team and taking increasing responsibility for customer relationships. It may appeal to you if you enjoy learning how things work, explaining information clearly, and helping people make informed decisions. Expect product research, preparation, recordkeeping, and persistent follow-up as well as customer conversations. You will practice coordinating with colleagues so that the promises made during a sale match what the organization can deliver. This apprenticeship is approved by the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards and the U.S. Department of Labor.

Online Merchant

O*NET code: 13-1199.06

An online merchant connects product selection, digital marketing, customer service, and order fulfillment. You support a grower business present its products accurately and deliver a reliable experience from the first visit through delivery and follow-up. In an agriculture-related business, the work could involve farm products, tools, supplies, or other goods sold online. A typical assignment might be updating a listing, checking stock levels, resolving an order question, or reviewing why a promotion attracted visits but few purchases.

During this apprenticeship, you will practice researching customers and competitors, sourcing products, evaluating suppliers, and managing inventory. You will learn to operate an online storefront, coordinate packing and shipping, handle returns, and maintain financial records. Instruction and work activities include marketing, entrepreneurship, pricing, brand consistency, analytics, and awareness of privacy and sales-tax requirements. A practice project might follow a product from field to kitchen to farmers market and ecommerce produce or CSA website. You will use sales, marketing, licensing, and availability data to identify improvements and respond to changing demand.

This pathway builds skills for contributing to an e-commerce operation and understanding the responsibilities of running an online business. It may interest you if you enjoy combining clear communication, commercial decisions, numerical analysis, and dependable follow-through. Expect ongoing attention to customer needs, supplier relationships, accurate records, and technical details. You will learn to evaluate an idea through its costs, operational requirements, and effect on the customer experience. This apprenticeship is approved by the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards and the U.S. Department of Labor.

Farm and Ranch Livestock Technician

O*NET code: 45-2093.00

Livestock technicians support the daily care, health, and welfare of animals on farms and ranches. You learn to recognize normal behavior, notice changes, and carry out routines that keep animals fed, watered, safely housed, and appropriately handled. Your work might involve checking a herd, cleaning pens, preparing feed, helping move animals between pastures, or updating a health record. Consistent care and prompt communication are essential because animal needs continue throughout the year.

During this apprenticeship, you will practice feeding and watering, humane handling and restraint, sanitation, and biosecurity procedures. You will learn to inspect housing and fencing, maintain routine equipment, support newborn care, and recognize signs of injury, illness, or distress. Health-related activities would take place under appropriate direction and within your training. A practice assignment might involve completing a daily care round, recording intake and behavior, identifying a concern, and reporting it to a supervisor. Accurate records of births, treatments, animal movement, and production help the team make informed management decisions.

This pathway develops capabilities for dependable livestock care and farm or ranch operations. It may appeal to you if you enjoy working with animals, learning through observation, and taking responsibility for practical routines. Expect physical work, changing weather, repetitive tasks, and schedules shaped by animal care needs. You will build patience, safe handling habits, and the judgment to recognize when an issue requires experienced or veterinary assistance. This apprenticeship is approved by the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards and the U.S. Department of Labor.

Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers

O*NET code: 31-9096.00

Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers support animal care teams through husbandry, preparation, cleaning, observation, and accurate records. Depending on the employer, you might work with animals in a veterinary setting or a laboratory care environment. Your responsibilities could include preparing an examination area, feeding animals, checking enclosures, recording observations, or helping staff handle an animal safely. The work calls for compassion, attention to detail, and respect for established procedures.

During this apprenticeship, you will practice safe handling and restraint, feeding and housing routines, infection control, and preparation for examinations and procedures. You will learn to recognize changes in animal condition, communicate concerns, maintain medical records, and manage supplies. Guided activities may include specimen handling, laboratory assistance, and support for prescribed treatments, within applicable rules and the direction of veterinary staff. A practice scenario might involve preparing a room, verifying animal identification, organizing supplies, and documenting the care provided. Client communication and teamwork are also part of supporting a well-organized care environment.

This pathway builds foundational capabilities for animal care support roles. It may interest you if you enjoy working with animals and people, following detailed instructions, and contributing to a team during busy or emotionally demanding situations. Expect cleaning, recordkeeping, physical activity, and careful monitoring alongside direct animal contact. You will develop the habit of checking details, escalating concerns promptly, and working within the responsibilities assigned to an assistant or caretaker. This apprenticeship is approved by the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards and the U.S. Department of Labor.

Producers and Directors

O*NET code: 27-2012.00

Producers and directors organize the people, content, equipment, and decisions that turn an idea into a finished media production. In agriculture and related businesses, that could include a farm story, product demonstration, training video, webinar, or recorded interview. You help clarify the audience and purpose, plan the production, and guide the work through recording and editing. A successful project depends on accurate information, clear communication, and a realistic plan.

During this apprenticeship, you will practice researching topics, developing scripts and outlines, planning locations and production assets, and coordinating creative and technical contributors. You will learn to manage schedules and budgets, review footage and sound, and edit material into a coherent final product. Instruction includes camera fundamentals, video editing, and portfolio development. A practice project might take a short agricultural tutorial or farm tour from an initial brief through a shot plan, recording session, review, and finished edit. You will also consider permissions, rights to images and music, quality standards, and how the content will reach its audience.

This pathway develops skills for contributing to media production and coordinating increasingly complex projects. It may appeal to you if you enjoy storytelling, organizing creative work, and helping other people communicate their knowledge. Expect research, planning, repeated revisions, and technical problem-solving as well as filming. You will practice responding to feedback, making production choices that serve the audience, and keeping a team focused on the intended result. This apprenticeship is approved by the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards and the U.S. Department of Labor.

Accountants and Auditors

O*NET code: 13-2011.00

Accounting and auditing work helps an organization understand its financial activity and maintain reliable records. You organize transactions, check supporting information, investigate differences, and help prepare reports that support decisions. In an agricultural or related business, that might involve reviewing inventory records, comparing expenses with a budget, checking payroll information, or reconciling an account. Accuracy and a clear record of how a figure was produced are central to the work.

During this apprenticeship, you will practice recording and classifying transactions, supporting journal entries, reconciling accounts, and reviewing financial reports for completeness. You will learn to use accounting systems and spreadsheets, examine records for errors, and compare actual costs with planned spending. Other activities include supporting tax-related work under supervision, documenting recordkeeping procedures, and protecting sensitive information. A practice project might involve reconciling a ag-related project, tracing a discrepancy to its supporting records, and explaining the correction. You would also practice communicating findings and identifying matters that require a supervisor’s review.

This pathway develops foundational capabilities for supporting accounting, financial reporting, and audit-related activities. It may interest you if you enjoy working with numbers, investigating details, and organizing information so others can rely on it. Expect recurring deadlines, careful checking, and continued learning about software and procedures. You will begin with defined, supervised responsibilities and build toward more complex work as your skills and experience grow. This apprenticeship is approved by the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards and the U.S. Department of Labor.

Farm Equipment Mechanic and Technician

O*NET code: 49-3041.00

Farm equipment mechanics and technicians help keep the machinery used in agricultural operations safe, reliable, and ready for work. You investigate problems, carry out maintenance, and repair equipment such as tractors, harvesters, and irrigation systems. An assignment might involve tracing an engine problem, locating a hydraulic leak, checking an electrical circuit, or preparing a machine for the coming season. The work connects practical mechanical skills with careful diagnosis and an understanding of how equipment is used on the farm.

During this apprenticeship, you will practice inspecting machinery, interpreting service information, using diagnostic tools, and documenting repairs. You will learn about engines, powertrains, hydraulics, pneumatics, electrical systems, and preventive maintenance. Activities include disassembling and reassembling components, replacing worn parts, testing repaired equipment, and working with sensors and electronic controls. Instruction also introduces precision agriculture equipment, remote diagnostics, parts sourcing, and communication with customers. A practice project might involve investigating a reported fault, preparing a repair plan, completing supervised repairs, and checking performance afterward. Equipment isolation, safe lifting, protective equipment, and responsible handling of fluids are part of the work throughout.

This pathway develops capabilities for supporting agricultural equipment maintenance and repair. It may interest you if you enjoy working with tools, understanding how machines function, and following a problem through to a tested solution. Expect detailed inspections, physical work, accurate service records, and continued learning as equipment changes. You will build the judgment to explain what needs attention, recognize the limits of your training, and help operators use and maintain equipment reliably. This apprenticeship is recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor and is not approved by the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards.

Farm Equipment Operator

O*NET code: 45-2091.00

Farm equipment operators use machinery to carry out planting, cultivation, harvesting, material handling, and other agricultural tasks. You learn to match equipment settings and operating techniques to the crop, soil, field conditions, and job requirements. Your work might involve preparing a tractor and implement, checking a planter’s spacing, operating irrigation equipment, or moving harvested crops through a packing area. Safe operation depends on attention to the machine, the surrounding work area, and the people working nearby.

During this apprenticeship, you will practice pre-operation inspections, attaching implements, adjusting and calibrating equipment, and monitoring performance in the field. You will learn routine lubrication, cleaning, basic repairs, and the use of maintenance logs to communicate equipment needs. Instruction also covers GPS guidance and precision agriculture tools, post-harvest machinery, loading and transport, and methods that reduce soil compaction, crop damage, spills, and fuel waste. A practice assignment might involve preparing equipment for a planting task, checking depth and spacing, recording the work completed, and reporting a developing mechanical issue. Chemical application and equipment transport activities would follow applicable requirements and take place within your training and authorization.

This pathway builds capabilities for dependable equipment operation and coordinated farm work. It may appeal to you if you enjoy hands-on activity, working outdoors, and seeing the results of well-executed field tasks. Expect seasonal priorities, changing conditions, safety checks, and close communication with supervisors and crew members. You will develop the ability to notice when performance changes, make appropriate adjustments, and stop or seek assistance when a situation requires it. This apprenticeship is recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor and is not approved by the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards.

Organic Vegetable Farm Manager

O*NET code: 11-9013.00

Organic vegetable farm management connects crop production with the planning, people, records, and business decisions that keep a farm operating. You consider what to grow, how to maintain healthy soil, when work needs to happen, and how the harvest will reach customers. Your work might involve planning crop rotations, checking greenhouse starts, reviewing irrigation needs, organizing a crew’s tasks, or comparing the costs and returns of different crops. The role combines direct involvement in production with responsibility for the larger operation.

During this apprenticeship, you will practice crop and rotation planning, soil testing, compost management, greenhouse propagation, irrigation, and organic pest and weed management. You will learn about harvest timing, washing and cooling, food safety, equipment care, and the records needed to support organic certification. Business activities include budgeting, market research, sales planning, and evaluating profitability by crop or market outlet. A practice project might develop a seasonal vegetable production plan with planting dates, labor needs, expected costs, and a marketing approach, then compare the plan with actual results. Staff training, task delegation, regulatory awareness, and emergency planning are also part of preparing for management responsibilities.

This pathway develops capabilities for coordinating organic vegetable production and building toward broader farm management responsibility. It may interest you if you enjoy growing food, organizing complex work, and balancing ecological, financial, and human needs. Expect fieldwork, detailed records, changing seasonal demands, and decisions that require both observation and numerical analysis. You would begin with defined responsibilities and build experience in leading a team, evaluating outcomes, and adapting plans as conditions change. This apprenticeship is recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor and is not approved by the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards.

Thinking about your next step

As you compare these pathways, notice which kinds of work you want to try and which responsibilities you would like to understand better. Consider your interests, experience, location, and availability, along with the time you can commit to learning and practice. Contact Open Source Ag to discuss your goals, preparation, and current placement possibilities.

There is no location limitation. If you reside in California we sign you up for both California Division of Apprenticeship Standards and the US Department of Labor, in case you relocate. If you are outside of California, we sign you up for the U.S. Department of Labor approved apprenticeship.