How to Hire Youth in Agriculture Using Federal and Provincial Grants

How to Hire Youth in Agriculture Using Federal and Provincial Grants

Finding reliable labour is one of the biggest challenges for Canadian farms and agri-food businesses. Federal and provincial youth hiring grants can cover much of the wages and training costs. This makes it easier to hire young workers and helps build long-term skills in the sector. The Youth Employment and Skills Program is the main federal option. There are also provincial supports that can work alongside it.

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Federal and Provincial Grants That Support Youth Hiring in Agriculture

Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP) — Federal

The Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP) is the main federal wage subsidy for agriculture and agri-food employers. It is delivered by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and helps you hire and train young workers for on-farm and agri-food roles.

What the program offers

• Wage subsidy covering up to 50% of eligible wages, to a maximum of $14,000 per youth employee
• Up to $5,000 per employee for relocation costs, if approved

Who can apply

• Primary producers and agri-food processors across Canada
• Employers hiring youth aged 15 to 30
• Employers hiring youth facing barriers, or Indigenous youth, may be eligible for a higher cost-share

Eligible costs

• Wages paid to youth employees
• Training and skills development tied to the job
• Relocation expenses, where approved

Important funding rules

• Government funding can be used together with other programs, but total public funding cannot be more than 100% of your employment costs
• Wage subsidies are usually considered taxable business income. Tax treatment can vary, so it is best to consult a tax professional for advice.

This program works well for seasonal farm roles, entry-level agri-food processing jobs, and positions that include hands-on training.

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Provincial Support Example: Alberta Agriculture Job Connector

Provinces do not always offer direct wage subsidies for agriculture, but they often provide tools that support youth hiring.

In Alberta, the Agriculture Job Connector helps match agricultural employers with young job seekers and connects businesses to youth employment incentives.

What it does

• Matches your job posting with potential candidates aged 15 to 24
• Links employers to provincial youth employment incentives and wage subsidy programs, where available

While the Agriculture Job Connector itself is not a cash grant, it can be a helpful first step when used with federal funding like YESP.

Other provinces offer similar job-matching services or youth-focused employment programs. Availability and funding levels vary by province and intake period.

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How to Combine Federal and Provincial Support

Many agriculture employers use a layered approach:

• Start with YESP to secure a federal wage subsidy.
• Add provincial tools or incentives for recruitment, training, or regional hiring.
• Make sure all funding together does not go over your total employment costs.

GrantHub’s eligibility matcher helps you find programs by province, industry, and employee age. This makes it easier to spot smaller regional options that fit your needs.

For more on funding rules, see also:
How to stack grants and loans without violating funding rules

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Hiring before approval
   Many youth hiring grants only cover costs incurred after your application is approved. If you hire too early, those wages may not qualify.

2. Missing the age window
   The Youth Employment and Skills Program generally applies to youth aged 15–30. If you hire someone outside this range, you will not qualify.

3. Over-stacking funding
   Combining programs is allowed, but if you get more than 100% of wage costs, you may have to repay the extra funding.

4. Ignoring reporting requirements
   YESP requires documentation on wages paid and skills developed. Poor records can delay your reimbursement.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What counts as “youth” under the Youth Employment and Skills Program?
Youth are generally defined as individuals aged 15 to 30 at the time of hiring.

Q: How much funding can I receive per youth employee?
You can receive up to 50% of eligible wages, capped at $14,000 per employee, plus up to $5,000 for relocation costs, if approved.

Q: Can I use YESP for seasonal farm workers?
Yes. Seasonal and short-term agricultural positions are eligible, as long as the role includes meaningful work experience and skills development.

Q: Can YESP be combined with other wage subsidies?
Yes, stacking is allowed, but total government funding cannot exceed 100% of your employment costs.

Q: Are wage subsidies taxable?
In most cases, wage subsidies are considered taxable business income and should be reported accordingly. Tax treatment may differ, so check with a tax professional.

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GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant programs across Canada, including youth employment and agriculture-specific funding. Checking which ones match your business profile can save hours of manual searching.

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Next Steps

Hiring youth in agriculture becomes much more affordable when you combine federal wage subsidies with provincial supports. Start by confirming your eligibility for the Youth Employment and Skills Program. Then, look for regional tools that support recruitment and training. GrantHub helps you see all relevant options in one place, so you can focus on running your farm or agri-food business.

See also:

• What Business Expenses Are Eligible Across Canadian Grants and Loans?
• Loans vs Grants for Women in Agriculture: Key Differences Explained