Program Information

Designed specifically for transitioning military members using Career Skills Program or DOW SkillBridge, BGBG-STP is a certificate program managed by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service that provides education & training for transitioning service members who desire to go into agricultural production. The education provided enables program participants to establish gainful self-employment as an agriculture business manager or owner/operator. Cohorts are 13 weeks in length, and participants will receive training on agriculture business planning & management and agriculture production practices.

We want participants to begin this program with both enthusiasm and realistic expectations. Starting a farm or ranch business can be deeply rewarding, but it usually takes time to build the land base, production systems, customer relationships, and financial stability needed for steady income. For many beginning producers, the first several years involve learning, testing, investing, and adjusting. This program is here to help you build a practical path forward and increase your chances of long-term business success, not to promise immediate income replacement.

BGBG-STP is designed specifically for transitioning military members to attend through the SkillBridge program or Career Skills Program (CSP) in their final 180 days in the military. This is open to any rank from all service branches.

Locations

This is a hybrid program with a mix of online learning and in-person hands-on training events in Texas. Event locations vary and are mandatory.

We have partner training farmers located in the Waco, Killeen, Sulphur Springs, Bryan/College Station, and San Antonio areas. We will align you with one of our partner training farms where you will do the bulk of your hands-on training – normally the training farm your residence is closest to, however this is not guaranteed as our priority is to match you with a training farm that is closely aligned with the production area(s) that you are planning to do.

Program Dates

Cohorts start each January (with an end date in late April) and September (with an end date in early December). Exact dates will be determined as soon as possible in advance. We recommend following the Battleground to Breaking Ground Facebook page or contact us for the latest info.

Registration Information

For more information about the program and instructions on how to apply, contact Heidi Barber at heidi.barber@ag.tamu.edu