New York / Job / Apprenticeship / Workforce Development

[Interlace Commons]

Hi Folks, 

The outlined workforce development program aims to equip individuals with essential skills for  the nursery and implementation sectors, which are vital for advancing work in the agroforestry sector.

Thanks,

Meghan

Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County (CCE Tompkins) is excited to announce the development of a pilot apprenticeship program in collaboration with Wellspring Forest Farm and Interlace Commons that will offer participants an overview of possible career paths in two important agricultural sectors: tree nursery production, and tree planting and management. 

The program will collaborate with existing farms, nurseries and tree planting contractors in New York and surrounding states to offer living demonstration sites and on-the-job training, through a paid apprenticeship program and coursework. Curriculum will focus on tree planting and nursery skills through the lens of agroforestry, and will provide apprentices with a thorough grounding in agroforestry system planning and design. 

CCE Tompkins seeks additional nursery and tree planting contractors operating in New York State who are interested in participating. Apprentice applications will open in Fall 2025. Read more about this opportunity here.