Joy Holden at nola.com reports Baton Roots - a Community Farm and Garden Network in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has started two training initiatives through their Agroforestry Apprentice and Hustle and Grow Internship Programs. Those in the industry say the average age of the Farmer is close to 60 years old in the U.S., and the percentage of Farmers is near 2% - many of whom are growing cash crops that do not directly feed people. "There is this tiny population of mostly older people that is growing food for everybody else," one Representative said. "We need more youth interested in agriculture, growing food and being part of the food system. We're hoping to inspire a new generation of Farmers and Growers." Agroforestry is a Land Use Management System that integrates trees with crops or pasture. Baton Roots has a grant with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Forest Service for the next few years to run an Adult Agroforestry Apprenticeship Program in which the participants learn by hands-on experiences with Baton Roots and Baton Rouge Green. The inaugural Agroforestry Apprenticeship Program started in January and the 13 Apprentices work Tuesday through Thursday with optional field work on the weekends. "We've got folks who are (18) years old and just graduated high school. We've got folks for whom this is maybe their second or third career. And we've got folks who really were passionate about Ag and Forestry, but didn't have a pathway into a career in those fields," another Representative said.

To Read This Apprenticeship And Training Labor News Story In Its Entirety, Go To: Baton Rouge community farm training new urban farmers | Louisiana Inspired | nola.com