Canada is well known for its sophisticated and technologically advanced agricultural systems – some farmers use scientific crop and soil analysis as well as state-of-the-art equipment such as computers for land and livestock management.  The main crops are wheat, barley, corn, potatoes, soybeans, rice and sugar beet whereas the primary livestock products are beef, chicken, duck, turkey, goose, and pork. Organic farming and speciality farming (such as Christmas trees, llama, elk and bison) are growing sectors of Canadian agriculture.

Programme Details

Together with our partner, International Rural Exchange Canada (IREC), Equipeople can offer young people a unique agricultural work- and cultural exchange experience in Canada, with the peace of mind of two agencies taking care of you from the moment you apply until the moment you return home.

Most trainees in Canada live on the farm with a host family.  Many would have a room in the family home though some would have separate accommodation.  Meals are usually eaten with the family, but sometimes, trainees do their own cooking.

Equipeople provides you with application and visa assistance and a screened and quality placement, whilst our Canadian partners ensure you have the best support and assistance available whilst in Canada.

Type of Placements

Most of the placements available are on large crop farms (800-2000 hectares) though some farms might also have some livestock or horses.  There are also beef farms, dairy farms, a few horticultural placements, Oenology and Agri-Home placements available.

There is a wide variety of equipment on farms in Canada.  Some farms have new equipment, but many farms in Canada keep their costs lower by using older machinery.  Farms in Canada receive no money from the government and have to carefully manage their resources.  Most crop farms would have four wheel driver tractors, airseeders, sprayers, swathers and combines.  Beef and dairy farms would also own haying and fencing equipment.  As a trainee, you might not drive all of the equipment.  It would depend on your skill level and how careful you are with equipment.

Programme Requirements

Applicants MUST meet the following requirements:

Participants should also

As this programme was devised to enable young people to see and experience a different culture, participants are considered to be trainees.  Although the majority of people we send to Canada are very experienced and are going to a responsible position, for the purposes of the visa they are known as trainees.  Our trainees get to meet like-minded people from different parts of the world and these contacts often become life-long friends.

Costs Involved

• You will also need to budget for a return airfare to Canada and visa/work permit fees.

What’s Included?

What’s Not Included?

For more information on the Visa and Application Process for Canada click here