Federal gov. funds youth employment in agriculture, agri-food

Companies and non-profits hiring young people for agriculture or agri-food jobs may be able to get federal funding for those workers’ wages.

On March 5, federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald announced nearly $13.47 million in funding for the 2026-26 Youth Employment and Skills Program.

The program encourages agriculture and food employers to hire people aged 15 to 30 for work experience and skill development opportunities by contributing to their wages and benefits, Agriculture Agri-Food Canada said in a news release.

AAFC will contribute up to 50 per cent of wage and benefit costs, to a maximum of $14,000 per project, the government’s website says. For Indigenous employers or employers who hire youth facing barriers to employment, the federal government will pay a maximum of 80 per cent of elligible costs to a maximum of $19,000 per project.

Youth facing barriers to employment include groups like youth living in remote or northern communities, single parents, recent newcomers, racialized youth and youth living with disabilities, among others.

Applications opened on March 5 and close on May 4.