Whether You’re an Aspiring Farmer or an Agribusiness Veteran, Explore Programs to Start Your Career or Continue Your Education

Building Farmers Program

Offered by Colorado State University’s Extension School, the Building Farmers Program offers farmers of any experience level the chance to advance their business skills. Agribusiness and farming professionals teach these courses at campuses across the state.

Principles of Business Management Course (Beginner to Proficient)

The “Principles of Business Planning and Management” evening class courses “refine and enhance their business management, production, and marketing skills.” By the end of the course you will have developed a business plan. Students receive a Certificate and are qualified to apply for an internship or continue with more advanced courses.

Advanced Classes

Once a student has completed the Principles of Business Management Course, they are able to advance to these courses:

• Legal Considerations for Farm Risk Management 
• Managing Ag Labor in Complex Enterprises
• Developing Yourself as an Ag Business Leader

Learn more about the courses and enroll by visiting buildingfarmers.com.

Associates Degree Programs

An Associates degree can prepare a farmer for many positions involving sustainable agriculture, horticultural operations, livestock ranching, retail management, nursery operations, and the environment.

Various Junior, Community, and Technical colleges have agricultural education programs throughout the state:

• Aims Community College (Fort Lupton)
• Otero Junior College (La Junta)
• Morgan Community College (Fort Morgan)
• Northeastern Junior College (Sterling)
• Trinidad State Junior College (Trinidad)
• Lamar Community College (Lamar)
• Colorado Mesa University (Grand Junction)

Bachelor Degree Programs 

Colorado State University

Colorado State University’s College of Agricultural Science offers undergraduate degrees in:

• Agricultural & Resource Economics
• Animal Sciences (Masters also available)
• Agricultural Biology (Masters also available)
• Horticulture and Landscape Architecture 
• Soil and Crop Sciences (Masters also available)

Continuing Education Programs 

Below are just some of the continuing education programs that farmers and ranchers in Colorado may take advantage of. For whatever you want to learn, there is likely a program out there that can help.

Community Ag Alliance

Yampa Valley’s Community Ag Alliance offers courses for growers in water education and land stewardship. 

Denver Botanic Gardens

Denver Botanic Gardens partners with CSU’s extension school to offer Beginning Market Farming certificate programs for people who are interested in growing and selling vegetables but aren’t sure where to start.

The American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers

This organization is Colorado-based and offers virtual training for topics like chattel appraisal, land management, leadership, and much more.

Insuring Your Farm

Managing risk is at the top of the list of skills you’ll need to be a successful farmer. The industry is vulnerable to weather, market conditions, trade disputes, and most recently, a global pandemic. 

One way to help mitigate these risks is to properly insure your farm. If you’ve studied hard, purchased valuable equipment, and put your heart and soul into your business, you cannot afford to overlook this part of your overall operation.

Colorado Farm Bureau Insurance was founded to serve farmers, and we have been helping them protect their farms since 1950. To join us and get started, use our Agent Finder to locate someone near you.