UCSC Center for Agroecology — Apprenticeship in Ecological Horticulture — UC Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology

The long-running full-immersion apprenticeship in organic farming and gardening — soil, propagation, irrigation, CSA and market management — on the UCSC farm and gardens.

Typical award: Tuition with need-based scholarships
Deadline: Annual cohort — applications typically due in winter
Type of support: Technical assistance · Training & farmer education
Who can apply: Individual producer, Beginning / underserved
Fits these operations: Vegetables & produce, Cut flowers, Orchard & fruit, Mixed / diversified

Am I eligible?

Adults committed to a full-season residential program

How to apply

1Submit the apprenticeship application by the annual deadline
2Interview and confirm housing
3Complete the season-long curriculum

What you'll need

Application essays and references

Timeline & contact

About six months

Get help: UC Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology — also try Cooperative Extension in your county

Ready to apply?

Applications go through UC Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology, not through this site. Open the official page below for eligibility rules, forms, and contacts. For federal programs it's worth calling your local USDA Service Center or Cooperative Extension office first — they help with paperwork for free and know what your county actually funds.

Open official page

This listing was last hand-checked August 2026.

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