Who's got your career covered?
Own your own agency in as little as 12 months — not 12 years.
Train inside The Zach Burke Insurance Agency, get hands-on mentorship from an agency with 14 years of experience and 2,000+ households insured, and walk out with your licenses, your book of business, and a real path to running your own Farmers agency.
What Is the Protégé Agency Producer Program?
The Protégé Agency Producer Program is designed to give individuals the opportunity to grow their skills and business knowledge to become a Farmers agency owner — while working for an existing Farmers agency owner. Whether you're new to insurance or ready to take your career to the next level, the program offers real-world experience working alongside an agency owner, with access to the award-winning University of Farmers® training program, including curriculum designed specifically for new agents, plus other resources to help you grow as a business owner, should you one day choose to own your own Farmers agency.
A structured, four-step path — with a mentor already lined up
The Protégé Agency Producer Program is a Farmers Insurance national program. Apply here and you'll be paired directly with Zach Burke as your mentor, at his Rosemount or Oakdale, MN offices.
Get licensed
Farmers' Recruit Assist Team walks you through obtaining your Property & Casualty license — no insurance background needed to start.
Step 1Meet your mentor
You'll interview with Zach directly, who'll walk you through what working and training at The Zach Burke Insurance Agency actually looks like.
Step 2Get appointed
Once you and Zach agree to move forward, you'll complete a background check and receive your official Protégé Agency Producer appointment.
Step 3Train & graduate
Work alongside Zach, complete any additional licensing (like Life & Health), and gain hands-on agency experience. Most Protégés graduate in 6–12 months, at their own pace.
Step 4Everything you need, none of the guesswork
Direct mentorship
Learn from Zach Burke himself — an existing Farmers agency owner who's built and runs a real agency, not a call-center script.
Licensing guidance
Farmers' Recruit Assist Team walks you through your P&C license, plus any additional licensing (like L&H) as you progress.
University of Farmers® training
Access the award-winning University of Farmers curriculum, built specifically for new agents and future agency owners.
Graduation bonus up to $8,000
Complete the program and you may qualify for tiered Graduation Bonus payments following appointment as an agency owner.*
Waived capital requirement
Graduates who become Farmers agency owners may qualify to have the standard new agent capital requirements waived.
No pressure toward ownership
Ownership isn't required. Many Protégés join to build skills, income, and experience first — you decide the path later.
*Graduation Bonus amounts are tiered and determined by program performance and qualifications, and require appointment as a Farmers agency owner. Not available in all states.
Built for a range of backgrounds
Recent graduates, career changers, parents returning to the workforce, licensed insurance pros ready for ownership — no insurance or sales background required. What matters most is how you show up.
You're a good fit if you're
- Coachable and comfortable meeting new people
- Genuinely curious about business and leadership
- A strong communicator who builds trust quickly
- Bringing a strong work ethic and desire for long-term growth
- Open to ownership eventually — or just building skills first
This probably isn't for you if you
- Want a fully remote, hands-off role
- Need guaranteed income with no performance component
- Aren't open to feedback or changing your approach
- Are looking for a short-term gig, not a career
Trained by an agency that actually walks the walk
The Zach Burke Insurance Agency runs on three principles: value, service, and integrity. We bring a family approach to insurance — if we wouldn't recommend something to our own grandmother, we don't recommend it to a client. That's the standard you'll be trained to hold, too.
Every Protégé trains inside a working agency — not a classroom — learning how real client relationships and real books of business get built. When you graduate the program, you're not just licensed. You've already done the job, under the people who'll keep backing you after you open your own doors.
Before you apply
Do I need an insurance license or background to apply?
No. For most agency owners, no prior insurance or sales experience is required — the program is designed to teach these skills. A positive mindset, strong work ethic, and good communication matter most.
Am I required to become an agency owner?
No. Many people join to build skills, income, and experience first, and decide later whether ownership is right for them — there's no commitment to ownership required.
Is this a sales job?
Sales is part of the role, but the program is about much more. Protégés build relationships, learn to run a business, develop leadership skills, and work toward gaining career autonomy.
How is compensation handled?
Employment details, including compensation, schedule, and job duties, are arranged directly between you and Zach as your agency owner — you'll cover the specifics during your interview.
How long is the program?
Most Protégés graduate in 6–12 months. Progress is milestone-based, so you'll work with Zach to set your own pace.
What are the hours?
Mentors set their own office hours, but most offices — including Zach's — operate on standard business hours.
Are licensing exam retakes allowed?
Yes. Each attempt requires paying the state exam fee. Passing your exam faster gets you connected with your mentor faster.
Am I obligated to anything during the licensing process?
No. Farmers only requests updates if your situation changes or you need to withdraw from the course. There's no penalty or charge for not moving forward.
What happens if I graduate — do I have to decide on ownership right away?
No. If eligible and an opportunity is available, graduates get the chance to open their own agency with the capital requirement waived — but there are two years after graduation to decide.
What makes this different from a typical job?
Mentorship at this level is rare. Most careers don't give you the chance to learn directly from a business owner while getting paid to do it. What you get out of this program reflects what you put into it.
Is it normal to feel nervous about applying?
Completely. Starting something new always brings some nerves. The program is designed to help you set yourself up for success, so you don't have to figure it all out alone.
Is this a Farmers Insurance program or specific to this agency?
The Protégé Agency Producer Program is a Farmers Insurance national program. This page is for the track run through The Zach Burke Insurance Agency, where you'll train directly under Zach as your mentor.
What happens after I apply?
Farmers' Recruit Assist Team helps guide you through licensing, then connects you with Zach for an interview. From there, a background check and your official Protégé appointment follow.
Ready to build something that's actually yours?
No insurance experience required. Licensing support included. Direct mentorship from day one. Tell us a little about yourself and Zach's team will follow up to schedule your first conversation.
- No insurance experience required
- Licensing support included
- Direct mentorship from day one
- No pressure toward ownership — build skills at your pace