Summer Student Farm Worker Bursary
BC, Canada
Supports BC student employment in agriculture sectors
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|fromMinToMax
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateJanuary 20, 2025
- grant_single|closingDateJune 09, 2025
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
grant_single|grantors
- Investment Agriculture Foundation (IAF)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
The Summer Student Farm Worker Bursary Program offers bursaries of up to $3,000 to full-time students working in BC's agriculture, food, beverage, or seafood processing, fishing, and aquaculture sectors during the summer. The program aims to increase youth employment in the agriculture sector by supporting eligible work experiences in these industries.
grant_single_labels|projects
The Summer Student Farm Worker Bursary Program supports the employment of youth in sectors fundamental to BC's agriculture and food value chain. The bursary aims to enhance practical experience and engagement for students within these industries.
- Employment in primary agriculture operations including farming activities.
- Work in food, beverage, and seafood processing sectors.
- Jobs in fishing or aquaculture industries.
- Employment in nurseries focused on large-scale or wholesale production of bedding plants, excluding garden centers or landscaping.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the student applicant's status and employment conditions in BC.
- The student must be 16 years or older before the first day of the summer season (May 1, 2025).
- The student must be enrolled in full-time studies in the current academic year and intend to return to full-time studies in the fall.
- The student must be enrolled in a designated educational institution.
- The student must be legally permitted to work in Canada.
- The student must be hired for employment within the sectors of Primary Agriculture, Food, Beverage, Seafood Processing, Fishing or Aquaculture, or Nurseries for bedding plants (large-scale/wholesale production).
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Full-time students aged 16 or older who are legally permitted to work in Canada and are enrolled in designated educational institutions can apply. They must be employed or seeking employment within specific sectors, including agriculture, food, beverage, seafood processing, fishing, aquaculture, and certain large-scale nurseries, in British Columbia during the summer season.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This bursary excludes certain participants and job placements due to specific conditions and sectors. The restrictions aim to ensure that funds are allocated to youth engaged in qualifying agricultural and related sectors in British Columbia.
- Students under the age of 16 during the work term.
- Students not returning to school and/or full-time studies in the fall.
- Part-time students or those enrolled in graduate/post-doctoral studies.
- Job placements outside of the agriculture, seafood/food/beverage processing, or fishing/aquaculture sectors.
- Job placements outside the province of BC.
- Job placements with Farmer’s Markets, apiaries, community gardens, hobby farms, landscaping, Industry Associations, research farms, food security and/or non-profit organizations.
- Remote job placements, office and retail positions, social media, events coordination, sales, etc.
- Employment with a company based/headquartered outside of BC.
- Working on a family-owned farm if the student owns shares in the corporation.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The Summer Student Farm Worker Bursary Program does not specify eligible expenses. It provides financial support in the form of bursary payments to students working in specific sectors during the summer season, depending on the hours worked.
- The program provides bursary payments based on hours worked within eligible sectors.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The Summer Student Farm Worker Bursary Program is specific to the province of British Columbia in Canada. Companies eligible to employ students under this bursary must be located within this province.
- Companies located within the province of British Columbia (BC), Canada.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for the Summer Student Farm Worker Bursary:
- Step 1: Create an Account on the IAF Client Portal
- Access the IAF Client Portal online.
- Create a personal profile by providing your name and email.
- Ensure you answer YES to the question regarding applying for the Summer Student Farm Worker Bursary Program.
- Step 2: Apply for the Bursary
- Select the Summer Student Farm Worker Bursary Program from the available funding opportunities.
- Fill in the application with your contact information, date of birth, and bank account details for EFT payment.
- Provide details about your employment sector, estimated hours of work, and confirmation of employment.
- Enter information regarding your education level and provide proof of full-time enrollment in school.
- Step 3: Submit the Application
- Review the application form for completeness and accuracy.
- Submit the completed application through the IAF Client Portal before the deadline or until funding is fully committed.
- Step 4: Confirm Submission
- Wait for a notification from IAF regarding the approval status of your application.
- If approved, review the details of the decision and any terms and conditions outlined in the agreement with IAF.
- Step 5: Reporting Requirements (Post Work Season)
- Upon completing the required work hours in the summer season, prepare to report and submit proof of hours worked through paystubs or payroll records.
- Complete a final survey as part of your reporting obligations.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- Funding amounts may be prorated for hours worked between 250-500 hours.
- Applicants must report and submit proof of completed work hours.
- All payments will be issued at the end of the work season.
- Program participants will be required to complete a survey as part of their final reporting requirements.
- Public communication about the bursary funding must be pre-approved by the IAF Communications Team.
grant_single_labels|contact
ssb@iafbc.ca
250-940-6150
Apply to this program
Empowering Student Engagement in BC Agriculture
The Summer Student Farm Worker Bursary provides financial incentives to both secondary and post-secondary students working in BC's agriculture, food, beverage, or seafood sectors during the summer. With bursaries of up to $3,000, the program aims to boost youth employment and meet seasonal labour demands in these vital industries.
In-Depth Understanding of the Summer Student Farm Worker Bursary Program
The Summer Student Farm Worker Bursary (SSB) Program is an innovative initiative designed to integrate and involve youth in the agricultural sector in British Columbia, a region known for its rich agricultural resources and vibrant farming communities. This bursary aims to alleviate the labour challenges that often affect the agricultural sector during the peak summer months by encouraging the involvement of young, domestic seasonal workers.
The program is meticulously structured to offer up to $3,000 in financial aid to students, based on the total hours they work during the summer period. The strategic scheduling of work hours aligns with the harvesting and picking seasons, ensuring both flexibility and reliability in student work commitments. The financial incentive is set to attract students to engage meaningfully with the agriculture sector, gaining not just income but valuable work experience.
Furthermore, the SSB is comprehensive in its scope, targeting full-time students over the age of 16 who are legally allowed to work in Canada and are enrolled in designated educational institutions. This eligibility criterion ensures that the program targets individuals who are poised to gain significantly from such work experiences while simultaneously contributing to the workforce needs of the agriculture sector.
In terms of procedural details, the application process is streamlined via the IAF Client Portal, allowing students to create personal profiles and manage their applications online. This modern approach is not only convenient but ensures that applications are processed efficiently. Students can submit their applications even without confirmed employment, thereby allowing them to proactively seek employment knowing they have a conditional bursary approval.
The bursary payments are also structured to be performance-based. Students are required to complete a minimum of 250 hours during their employment period to be eligible for the minimum bursary of $1,500. The payment is scalable up to $3,000 for those completing 500 hours, ensuring a fair compensation system proportionate to the effort students put in. This pro-rata system is designed to motivate students to maximize their employment period, gaining more experience and higher financial rewards.
Another essential aspect of the SSB is its direct connection with the broader Agriculture and Food Workforce Development Initiative (AWDI), which underscores the importance of creating a stable and resilient food supply chain in BC through strategic workforce development. The Summer Student Farm Worker Bursary thus plays a pivotal role in this larger initiative, providing a clear pathway for youth participation and fostering a culture of engagement in agriculture.
Through its comprehensive yet focused approach, the SSB not only addresses immediate sectoral labour needs but also contributes to the long-term sustainability of the agriculture industry in BC. The program’s impact extends beyond economic benefits, as it equips students with skills and experiences that are valuable across their professional and personal lives. By offering this bursary, the program effectively bridges the gap between educational objectives and practical, career-building opportunities, nurturing the next generation of agricultural professionals who are essential to the future prosperity of the sector.
