Agriculture in the Classroom Canada (AITC-C) is a leading advocate for agriculture education, paving the way for a skilled and informed future workforce. Through initiatives like thinkAG and Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month (CALM), AITC-C, in collaboration with ten provincial members, introduces students to diverse career paths in agriculture. By showcasing innovation, sustainability, and the industry’s essential role in Canada’s economy, AITC-C empowers students to view agriculture as a dynamic career option.
In line with its mission, AITC-C is involved in national efforts to address one of the sector’s most pressing challenges: closing the skills gap. A prime example is AITC-C’s involvement in the Skills Development Table—a collaborative platform created by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) to address workforce needs in the sector. This initiative focuses on identifying the skills needed to fill agriculture jobs now and in the future. It works on creating clear career paths and flexible training options to help people enter or transition into agriculture roles. Another goal is to bring youth, new Canadians, Indigenous peoples, and others into the industry to create a stronger, more diverse workforce.
On October 25, 2024, the Skills Development Table gave a presentation to the Canadian Agricultural Youth Council, a group of individuals 30 and under from diverse agriculture backgrounds. This empowering session was designed to equip young leaders with tools and strategies for establishing their own table within the agriculture sector. The Skills Development Table shared their framework, from foundational themes to practical initiatives, with a focus on helping youth council members reach their peers and inspire more young people to consider careers in agriculture.
AITC members Laurie Loane, executive director from AITC-PEI and Kalysha Hanrahan, thinkAG manager from AITC-C, presented at the meeting. Loane spoke on the power of networking and the importance of creating effective and strong relationships within the agriculture sector.
Loane explained how crucial collaboration is to addressing industry challenges, as well as how essential it is for youth council members to build networks they can leverage to spread awareness about the diverse career paths in agriculture. Her message underscored a key point: by working with others—whether industry groups, educators, or government organizations—the Canadian Agricultural Youth Council can move further, faster.
Hanrahan followed Loane’s presentation with an interactive demonstration of thinkAG, a program designed to change the way youth perceive careers in agriculture. Through tools like the Career Case Game, thinkAG introduces students to a vast array of agricultural careers, spanning fields from science and technology to policy and marketing.
“We’re trying to target children in classrooms who have no idea about ag,” said Hanrahan.
According to a recent survey from the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC), nearly half of respondents thought the question about careers in ag other than production was a trick question. Hanrahan used these statistics to underline why thinkAG’s work is crucial.
“The future you is in a classroom right now,” she reminded the youth council, encouraging them to think about how today’s students could become tomorrow’s innovators in agriculture.
The session concluded with an open discussion between the youth council and the Skills Development Table members, brainstorming effective ways to best reach youth who didn’t grow up with an agriculture background about available careers in the industry.
“A lot of what they were saying, Agriculture in the Classroom is already doing to some capacity,” said Hanrahan, explaining that thinkAG and other AITC-C programs are actively building relationships with schools across Canada to integrate agriculture into career development classes. By linking resources to the curriculum and fostering teacher partnerships, AITC-C, in collaboration with ten provincial members, ensures that students everywhere have access to accurate, engaging information about agriculture.
By collaborating with groups like the Canadian Agricultural Youth Council, AITC-C fosters pathways into agriculture careers, inspiring the next generation to bring fresh ideas and skills. These efforts help ensure that agriculture education not only informs but also inspires, building a workforce that is diverse, skilled, and ready to meet evolving industry needs.
For more information, visit thinkag.ca.