Internships for agricultural businesses
Dear Editor:
Labor is a common challenge in Colorado agriculture. Businesses struggle to find qualified and trained employees. At the same time, young people who want to pursue a career in agriculture have limited access to training programs that provide real-world work experience. The Agricultural Workforce Development Program, funded by the Colorado Department of Agriculture, tackles both of these problems.
This program reimburses Colorado farms, ranches, and other agricultural businesses for 50% ($5,000 maximum) of the actual cost to employ an intern. Costs including wages, workers compensation insurance, and protective gear for the intern can be partially covered by participating in this program.
Since 2018, CDA has awarded nearly $900K to support 244 internships at 189 businesses across the state.
The goal of the program is to build a talent pipeline and career pathway in our state by compensating the Colorado farms, ranches, and other agricultural businesses offering internship opportunities. Interns and agricultural businesses benefit alike. Interns learn valuable skills through on-the-job training. Farmers and ranchers are repaid for their efforts teaching interns about the day-to-day operations of their business.
To participate, businesses can apply for up to three internships each year by filling out an online application available at ag.colorado.gov/awdp. The year’s applications are accepted until 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31.
This program continues to grow year over year and our goal for 2025 is to support more businesses and interns than ever before. I encourage farmers and ranchers across Colorado to apply, not only to strengthen their business but also to invest in the future of agriculture in our state.
Sincerely,
Sam Hahn
Next Generation & Specialty Crop Programs Manager
Colorado Dept. of Agriculture
One individual’s personal views don’t represent all
Dear Editor:
I am writing in response to John Moffitt’s letter published on 10/2/2025. I am surprised that John appears to think that his personal views represent the majority of people in Meeker and the majority of Christian views here.
Most of the Christians and non-Christians that I know in this community are kind, loving people who believe that we are all equal (in the eyes of God) and also believe in equal rights for all, which includes being able to choose the books we would like to read with every section of our community represented, including minority groups.
One person’s “culturally and morally conservative approach” may be very different from another person’s views on what constitutes culture, morality, and conservatism. As he states at the end of his letter, his views don’t represent the views of the Library Board as a whole, and I don’t believe they represent our community as a whole. Surely it is the role of the Library Board to promote inclusivity for all and represent our community as a whole, not to create their own personal library.
And a thank you to Jennifer Key for her eloquent letter last week.
Sincerely,
Tonie Phillippi
Meeker