Many Canadians still face barriers to building careers or businesses in agriculture. Women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are less likely to see themselves reflected in farm leadership or agri-food entrepreneurship. The AgriDiversity Program is a federal funding program designed to change that by supporting projects that remove barriers and create real pathways into Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector.
The AgriDiversity Program is delivered by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). It provides funding to organizations that run projects focused on inclusion, skills development, and leadership in agriculture and agri-food.
AgriDiversity funding is specifically targeted at projects that benefit underrepresented and marginalized groups in Canadian agriculture, including:
The goal is not short-term participation, but long-term representation across entrepreneurship, employment, and sector leadership.
You cannot apply as an individual farmer or business. Eligible applicants must be:
This often includes industry associations, Indigenous organizations, training providers, and community-based non-profits.
AgriDiversity offers substantial, multi-year support:
Applicants must cover at least 30% of project costs. In-kind contributions are allowed but capped at 25% of total eligible costs.
AgriDiversity funding focuses on systemic change, not one-off events. Funded projects commonly include:
For Indigenous organizations, AgriDiversity also connects applicants to the Indigenous Pathfinder Service, which assists with federal funding applications.
Midway through planning a project, tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you filter agriculture and inclusion-focused funding by province, organization type, and target group in seconds.
Canada’s agriculture workforce is aging, and many operations struggle with succession planning. At the same time, underrepresented groups often face limited access to training, networks, and capital. AgriDiversity funding helps close this gap by:
By funding organizations rather than individuals, the program creates ripple effects that benefit entire regions and industries.
Applying as a for-profit business
AgriDiversity is not open to farms or agri-food companies directly. Only eligible not-for-profit organizations can apply.
Proposing projects with indirect benefits
Projects must clearly and directly support underrepresented groups. General skills training without a defined target group is unlikely to be approved.
Underestimating the cost-share requirement
You must contribute at least 30% of total project costs. Applications often fail when matching funds are unclear or not confirmed.
Ignoring repayable funding terms
AgriDiversity funding is repayable. Your financial plan should clearly explain how repayment will be managed over time.
Q: Is AgriDiversity funding available to individual farmers?
No. Only Canadian not-for-profit organizations working in agriculture or agri-food can apply.
Q: How much funding can a project receive?
Eligible projects can receive up to $1 million over five years, covering up to 70% of eligible costs.
Q: Is AgriDiversity funding repayable or non-repayable?
Funding is provided as a repayable contribution, meaning recipients must plan for repayment under agreed terms.
Q: Are Indigenous organizations eligible?
Yes. Indigenous organizations are encouraged to apply and can access additional support through the Indigenous Pathfinder Service.
Q: Can in-kind contributions be used as matching funds?
Yes, but in-kind contributions are capped at 25% of total eligible project costs.
GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant programs across Canada, including agriculture and inclusion-focused funding, so you can quickly see which ones match your organization’s profile.
If your organization supports underrepresented groups in agriculture, AgriDiversity funding can be a strong fit—but it is rarely the only option. Comparing federal, provincial, and sector-specific programs helps you build a more sustainable funding plan. GrantHub makes it easier to see what’s available and how programs can work together to support your long-term impact.
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