Growing the Future of Agriculture
The future of agriculture starts with the next generation.
Whether you're exploring a career in agriculture, building leadership skills, taking over the family farm, starting your own operation, or looking to expand your professional network, there are organizations and programs available to help you grow.
AFSC is proud to support several organizations that help develop future agricultural leaders, build skills and confidence, create opportunities, and strengthen communities across Alberta. Use this guide to find programs and opportunities that match where you are on your agriculture journey.
Find the right opportunity
I’m curious about agriculture
I’m a student interested in agriculture careers
I want to build leadership skills
- 4-H Alberta
- Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies
- AFSC Next Gen Ag Leaders Club
- Canada’s Young Farmers
I want hands-on agriculture experience
I’m taking over a family farm
I’m starting a farm business
I want to grow my network
I want to be recognized for my contributions to agriculture
4-H-Alberta
What is 4-H Alberta?
4-H Alberta is one of the province’s leading youth development organizations. Through hands-on learning, leadership development, public speaking, community service, and project-based experiences, young people build skills that prepare them for future careers and leadership roles in agriculture and beyond. AFSC is proud to support 4-H Alberta as a Gold Clover Sponsor.
Who it’s for
- Youth ages 6-20
- Students interested in agriculture
- Future producers and industry leaders
- Families looking for hands-on learning opportunities
Opportunities
- Local 4-H clubs
- Cleaver Kids program
- AFSC Ag Next Gen Tour
- Beef Heifer Show
- Senior Symposium
- Multi-Species Judging
- Leadership and public speaking development
- Scholarships
- Community service and volunteer opportunities
How to get involved
- Join a local 4-H club
- Volunteer as a club leader
- Participate in local and provincial programs
- Apply for scholarships
- Attend 4-H Alberta events and tours
Contact information
Website: www.4hab.com
Email: info@4hab.com
Phone: 780-682-2153
Agriculture for Life (Ag for Life)
What is Ag for Life?
Agriculture for Life is a charitable organization dedicated to connecting Albertans with agriculture through education, awareness, safety programming, and career exploration opportunities. Through classroom programs, workshops, digital resources, and events, Ag for Life helps young people better understand food production, sustainability, innovation, and agriculture careers.
Who it’s for
- Students
- Educators
- Families
- Young people exploring agriculture-related careers
Opportunities
- Agriculture career exploration
- School and classroom programs
- Agriculture Discovery Days
- Rural and farm safety education
- Learning resources and toolkits
- Workshops and educational events
- Agriculture literacy programs
How to get involved
- Participate in school programs
- Access free educational resources
- Attend events and workshops
- Learn about agriculture career pathways
- Volunteer at community events
- Donations
Contact Information
Website: www.agricultureforlife.ca
Email: info@agricultureforlife.ca
Canada’s Young Farmers (CYF)
What is Canada’s Young Farmers?
Canada’s Young Farmers is a national initiative dedicated to connecting, supporting, and amplifying the voices of young farmers and young agricultural leaders across the country.
The initiative creates a national space where young farmers can build relationships, learn from one another, strengthen their leadership skills, access relevant resources and expert-led learning opportunities, and contribute to conversations shaping the future of Canadian agriculture.
Who it’s for
- Farmers under 40
- New and beginning farmers
- Farm successors and young people working in family farm businesses
- Young farm operators and agricultural entrepreneurs
- Young agricultural leaders
- Individuals involved in farm businesses or agricultural organizations
Canada’s Young Farmers collaborates with provincial and territorial young farmer organizations, commodity and production groups, agricultural organizations, educational institutions, and industry partners that support young farmer development.
Opportunities
Canada’s Young Farmers provides and promotes opportunities for:
- National networking and peer-to-peer connection
- Leadership and professional development
- Mentorship and knowledge sharing
- Learning events, workshops, and sector discussions
- Access to practical farm business resources and tools
- Connections to young farmer programs, events, and organizations across Canada
- Participation in national agricultural events and leadership opportunities
- Contributing young farmer perspectives to industry conversations
Learning opportunities and resources will focus on priorities identified by young farmers, including:
- Farm financial literacy
- Risk management and business planning
- Farm transition and succession planning
- Farm leadership and governance
- Communications and advocacy skills
- Industry engagement and representation
How to get involved
- Visit the Canada’s Young Farmers website
- Subscribe for news, resources, and upcoming opportunities
- Follow Canada’s Young Farmers on social media
- Attend learning, networking, and leadership events
- Explore young farmer organizations, programs, and resources available across Canada
- Share events, resources, and opportunities with the national young farmer community
- Connect with Canada’s Young Farmers to explore collaboration or partnership opportunities
Contact information
Website: www.cyf-rac.ca
Email: info@cyf-rac.ca
Young Agrarians
What is Young Agrarians?
Young Agrarians supports new and aspiring farmers across Western Canada by helping them access training, mentorship, business development resources, land access programs, and networking opportunities. Their programs are designed to reduce barriers for people entering agriculture and help new producers build successful farm businesses.
Who it’s for
- New farmers
- Aspiring producers
- Farm successors
- Agriculture entrepreneurs
- Anyone interested in starting a farming career
Opportunities
- Apprenticeship Program
- Business Mentorship Network
- Business Boot Camps
- Land Matching Programs
- E-learning and online courses
- Farm jobs and training opportunities
- Networking events and workshops
- Funding and business planning resources
How to get involved
- Attend educational events
- Apply for an apprenticeship
- Join the Business Mentorship Network
- Explore online learning courses
- Connect with land access programs
- Subscribe to the Young Agrarians newsletter
Contact information
Website: www.youngagrarians.org
Email: network@youngagrarians.org
Phone: 1.855.561.4633
Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies
What is AAAS?
The Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies (AAAS) supports and advocates for Alberta’s Agricultural Societies while developing leaders, volunteers, and strong rural communities. Representing more than 292 Agricultural Societies across the province, AAAS provides education, leadership development, networking opportunities, and resources that strengthen Alberta communities. AAAS and AFSC work together to support future agricultural and community leaders through initiatives such as the AFSC Next Gen Ag Leaders Club.
Who it’s for
- Young agricultural leaders
- Community volunteers
- Agricultural Society members
- Future board members
- Emerging community leaders
- Producers interested in advocacy and community development
Opportunities
- AFSC Next Gen Ag Leaders Club
- AAAS Summit
- Leadership development programs
- Volunteer training opportunities
- Youth Speaking Championships
- Awards and scholarships
- Open Farm Days
- Agricultural Society board participation
- Alberta North Farm Family Awards
Spotlight: AFSC Next Gen Ag Leaders Club
AFSC is proud to support the AFSC Next Gen Ag Leaders Club, designed to help engage and empower future leaders within Alberta’s agricultural communities. The program provides discounted access to the AAAS Convention for eligible delegates under 40 years of age and encourages leadership development, networking, volunteerism, and community engagement.
How to get involved
- Join your local Agricultural Society
- Volunteer at community events
- Attend the AAAS Summit
- Participate in leadership development opportunities
- Attend Open Farm Days
- Apply for awards and scholarships
- Join the AFSC Next Gen Ag Leaders Club
Contact information
Website: www.albertaagsocieties.ca
Phone: 1.780.427.2174
Outstanding Young Farmers (OYF)
What is Outstanding Young Farmers?
Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers (OYF) Program recognizes producers between the ages of 18 and 39 who demonstrate excellence in agriculture, leadership, innovation, environmental stewardship, and community involvement. The program begins with seven regional competitions across Canada, including the Alberta/Northwest Territories Region, before regional winners advance to the national OYF event. In addition to recognizing excellence, the program provides valuable networking, leadership, and professional development opportunities.
Who it’s for
- Farm operators ages 18-39
- Young agricultural entrepreneurs
- Producers actively managing farming operations
- Emerging agriculture leaders
Opportunities
- Regional and national recognition
- Leadership development
- Industry networking
- Peer-to-peer learning opportunities
- Alumni network and mentorship opportunities
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be between 18 and 39 years of age
- Derive the majority of their income from farming
- Be actively involved in managing their operation
- Demonstrate leadership and innovation within agriculture
How to get involved
- Submit a nomination or be nominated
- Attend regional OYF events
- Connect with the Alberta/NWT OYF community
- Explore producer stories and program resources online
Contact information
Website: www.oyfcanada.com
Facebook: OYF Alberta/NWT (facebook.com/OYFAlbertaNWT)
YouTube: OYF Alberta
