Grow Your Career with the 2027 Baton Roots Apprenticeship

We’re entering our third year of the Baton Roots Agroforestry Apprenticeship, and applications are now open for the 2027 cohort.

The program is built around hands-on learning. Apprentices spend the year developing practical skills in horticulture, arboriculture, green infrastructure, and sustainable land care through a combination of classroom instruction and field experience. Much of that learning happens right at Baton Roots Community Farm, where apprentices work directly with plants, soil, trees, and seasonal farm projects.

They also take those skills out into the community by assisting our Baton Roots mobile crew at EBRPHA sites, gaining experience with planting, maintenance, and green space projects in neighborhoods across Baton Rouge. That work helps create healthier, more welcoming shared spaces for residents while giving apprentices the chance to see how their skills can make a visible difference in the places people live and gather.

With support from Baton Rouge Green, apprentices also build arboriculture skills through experiences like tree identification, tree care, and other field-based practices. They have opportunities to learn from local experts, prepare for industry credentials and state licensure exams, and make connections that can help open doors to future green careers.

The program is designed for adults who are interested in working outdoors, developing practical skills, and exploring careers in horticulture, arboriculture, landscaping, conservation, urban agriculture, and related fields. Applicants must be 18 or older, eligible to work in the United States, and able to commit to the full year of in-person training and fieldwork. Currently enrolled university students are not eligible.

Apprentices earn $20 an hour for 28–31 hours per week while participating in the program. Training also includes areas such as workplace safety, CPR/AED, horticulture, arboriculture, and more.

By the end of the year, apprentices leave with real-world experience, new credentials, and a stronger foundation for whatever comes next in the green workforce.

The 2027 program begins in January and runs for up to 12 months.

Applications are due October 30, 2026.

Apply for the 2027 Baton Roots Apprenticeship