Applications open for Agriculture Skills Student Bursary Program (Canada)

Deadline: 30-Nov-2026

The Agriculture Skills Student Bursary Program supports post-secondary students in Nova Scotia who gain practical agricultural work experience on registered farms. The program encourages students to consider agriculture as a viable career while helping local agricultural producers address labour shortages. Eligible students can receive up to $1,500 in bursary funding, depending on the number of hours they work and whether they are participating in their first year or a subsequent year of the program.

About the Agriculture Skills Student Bursary Program

The Agriculture Skills Student Bursary Program is designed to connect post-secondary students with Nova Scotia’s agricultural sector through hands-on employment opportunities. By working on registered farms, students can develop practical skills and gain direct experience with agricultural work. At the same time, the program helps agricultural producers access additional labour during the farming season. The program therefore provides benefits to both students and the agricultural industry by encouraging young people to explore agriculture-related career opportunities. How Much Bursary Funding Is Available? Students can receive up to $1,500 in bursary funding.

The bursary amount depends on:

- The number of hours the student works. - Whether the student is applying for their first year. - Whether the student is returning for a second or subsequent year.

The available bursary amounts include:

- 250 hours: $500 for the first year and $750 for subsequent years.

- 500 hours: $1,000 for the first year and $1,500 for subsequent years.

Students therefore have the opportunity to receive a higher bursary by completing more agricultural work hours and, where applicable, returning for another year. Who Is Eligible? Applicants must meet the program’s eligibility requirements.

Eligible students must:

- Be Canadian citizens or permanent residents. - Reside in Nova Scotia. - Be enrolled as a full-time or part-time student at an accredited post-secondary institution as of September 2026. - Be employed or have been employed by a Nova Scotia registered farm. - Complete the required number of agricultural work hours. - Complete between 250 and 500 hours of eligible work between April 1, 2026 and September 12, 2026. Students working on their family farm are also eligible to apply. Post-Secondary Enrollment Requirement Applicants must be enrolled as either full-time or part-time students at an accredited post-secondary institution as of September 2026. This means students should be able to provide documentation confirming their enrollment status. Eligible students can be studying in different post-secondary programs, provided they meet the program’s other eligibility requirements. Agricultural Work Requirement A key requirement of the bursary is gaining agricultural work experience on a Nova Scotia registered farm. Students must complete the required work hours during the specified period: April 1, 2026 to September 12, 2026 Depending on the hours completed, students can qualify for different bursary amounts. Students should maintain accurate records of their employment and hours worked because this information is required as part of the application documentation. Can Students Working on a Family Farm Apply? Yes. Students who work on their family farm are eligible to apply. This allows students to gain agricultural experience through family farming operations while still accessing the bursary, provided they meet the other eligibility requirements and complete the required work hours. Bursary Amount Based on Work Hours The program links the bursary amount to the number of agricultural work hours completed. Students working at least 250 hours may receive: - $500 in their first year. - $750 in their second or subsequent years. Students working at least 500 hours may receive: - $1,000 in their first year. - $1,500 in their second or subsequent years. Completing more hours can therefore increase the bursary available to eligible students. Required Documentation Applicants must provide documentation supporting their eligibility and agricultural employment.

Required documents include:

- Confirmation of enrollment. - Student ID or date of birth. - Record of employment showing the hours worked. Applicants should ensure that the information provided in their documents is accurate and consistent with their application. Why the Program Supports Agriculture Careers The Agriculture Skills Student Bursary Program has two important objectives. First, it gives students an opportunity to gain hands-on agricultural work experience and develop practical skills that can be useful in future employment. Second, it helps Nova Scotia agricultural producers address labour gaps by encouraging students to participate in farm employment. Through this approach, students can gain a better understanding of agricultural careers while producers benefit from additional seasonal labour. Benefits for Students

Participating students can gain several practical benefits, including

- Financial support through a bursary of up to $1,500. - Hands-on agricultural work experience. - Practical skills relevant to the agriculture sector. - Greater exposure to potential agricultural career pathways. - Experience working on a registered Nova Scotia farm. - Opportunities to build employment experience while studying. The program can therefore be useful for students who are considering agriculture as a future career or who want practical experience in the sector. Benefits for Nova Scotia Agricultural Producers The program also supports agricultural producers by helping address labour shortages. By encouraging post-secondary students to work on registered farms, the initiative can help producers access workers while introducing students to the realities and opportunities of agricultural employment. This creates a connection between the post-secondary student population and Nova Scotia’s agri