Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister, Lawrence MacAulay, announced today a two-year investment of up to $5.2 million for the Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative to attract young Canadians to green jobs within the agriculture and agri-food sector.

"Young Canadians have the talent and drive to lead the future growth of Canada,s economy, but they need practical work experience. Green jobs will provide young Canadians with valuable work experience, jump-starting their future careers in the agriculture and the environment sectors."

- Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

• Budget 2017 recognizes that the agriculture and agri-food sector is a key driver of the Canadian economy. Under Canada’s Innovation and Skills Plan, Budget 2017 commits to helping young Canadians succeed through measures that help create employment and skills development opportunities under the Youth Employment Strategy (YES).

• Funding will be available in two streams: The Green Farms stream will provide matching funds of up to ten thousand dollars ($10K), to help a farmer hire high school or college students to support environmentally beneficial activities on the farm.

• The Green Internships stream will provide matching funds of up to sixteen thousand dollars ($16K) to help organizations involved in the agricultural industry hire young graduates to pursue environmental activities, services or research that benefit the agriculture sector. Applications for both streams will be accepted starting April 26.

Associated Links

• Agricultural Youth Green Jobs initiative (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
• Youth Employment Strategy
• Budget 2017

Guy Gallant
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay
613-773-1059

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972 
Follow us on Twitter: @AAFC_Canada
Like us on Facebook: CanadianAgriculture