A federal wage subsidy that puts youth to work in agriculture and agri-food, with an enhanced cost share for Indigenous employers and youth facing barriers to employment.
YESP pays a large share of the cost of hiring young people into real agricultural work. For a community food project, that means the garden, greenhouse, or farm gets staffed while a young community member gains a season of paid skills training. The enhanced Indigenous cost share makes it one of the most accessible federal programs a Nation can hold.
In practice. Our YESP application for a First Nation community gardening initiative was approved in May 2026, funding youth workers who grow food for their own community.
A role description that fits the program's definition of agricultural work and the community's real needs.
Applications built to qualify for the enhanced Indigenous cost share and added supports.
YESP layered with food-infrastructure and readiness funding so one hire advances a larger project.
Yes. First Nations governments, Indigenous organizations, and community enterprises in agriculture and agri-food are eligible employers, and Indigenous employers qualify for the enhanced cost share of up to 80% of wages and benefits.
Community food production fits the program when the position involves agriculture or agri-food work. Our approved application funds youth workers in a First Nation community gardening initiative.
Up to 50% of wages and benefits for most employers and up to 80% for Indigenous employers and employers hiring youth facing barriers, to a per-project maximum, with added support available for relocation and barriers. Intakes are annual and amounts change between cycles, so confirm current figures before budgeting.
Tell us what you want to build and we will map the funding path, YESP included or not.
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