Overview
Ontario’s agriculture and food industry offers a wide range of career opportunities across the province.
1 in every 9 jobs in Ontario is connected to the agriculture and food sector. The industry contributes nearly $52.9 billion to Ontario’s GDP each year. In 2025, agricultural exports reached over $29.2 billion — an increase of 3.7% from 2024.
Ontario’s agriculture and food industry has grown steadily for decades. It offers a wide range of interesting, well-paying jobs that are in high demand.
Ontario’s post-secondary institutions are known around the world for their agricultural research and education.
Careers are available in:
- business and entrepreneurship
- skilled trades
- engineering and technology
- robotics and automation
- science and research
- food production and processing
- veterinary services
- environmental sustainability
Whether you are a student, recent graduate, newcomer or jobseeker, there are many pathways into Ontario’s agriculture and food industry.
Explore careers
Learn about the variety of careers available in Ontario’s agriculture and food industry.
My Career Journey
Explore in-demand career and education options in one place. Complete a short questionnaire to get personalized career suggestions, information about local training programs and details on in-demand jobs.
Food Processing Skills Canada: Career tools
Explore career planning resources for the food and beverage manufacturing industry, including information on:
- occupations
- career pathways
- required skills
- job opportunities
These tools can help you learn about different roles and career options within Canada's agriculture and food sector.
Explore job profiles
Jobs in agriculture and food can be on farms, in food science laboratories, processing facilities, bakeries, restaurants and more.
Examples of careers in agriculture and food include:
- agricultural equipment technician
- agricultural scientist
- agriculture and food sector development consultant
- agriculture business management
- manager in agriculture
- manager in horticulture
- agricultural advisor or consultant
- baker
- agricultural products inspector
You can also search for job profiles to learn about wages, education requirements and employment outlooks.
Veterinary careers
Jobs working with animals take place in veterinary clinics, educational institutions, zoos, research laboratories, industry organizations, government and more.
Examples of careers include:
- veterinarian
- veterinary technician or animal care technician
- veterinary assistant
- animal pathologist
Learn more through the Ontario Veterinary College and veterinary training programs.
Education and training
Find education and training programs that can prepare you for a career in agriculture and food.
College programs
Ontario Colleges offer programs in areas such as:
- agriculture
- livestock management
- agri-food business
- food and beverage processing
- automation and robotics
- sustainable agriculture
Sustainable agriculture combines business skills with farming practices that support environmental, economic and social sustainability. Areas of study may include organic and ecological farming, small-scale farm operations, business management, soil science, weed and pest management, and pasture management.
Colleges across Ontario also offer food and beverage programs that prepare students for careers in a fast-growing industry. These programs combine hands-on learning with industry knowledge, helping students build the skills and training they need to succeed.
Search agricultural and food programs through Ontario Colleges.
University programs
Ontario Universities' Info is a guide for high school students and guidance counsellors. You can use this information to compare programs, admission requirements and more.
Ontario universities offer programs in agriculture, food systems, veterinary sciences and related fields.
Veterinary education
Explore training opportunities to become a:
- veterinarian
- veterinary technician
- veterinary assistant
Search veterinary programs offered by Ontario Veterinary College and veterinary training programs.
Find jobs in agriculture and food
Search current job opportunities and connect with employers in Ontario’s agriculture and food industry.
Job boards
AgCareers
AgCareers is a company that provides global talent solutions focused on agriculture and food careers and recruitment.
CareersNOW!
CareersNOW! connects jobseekers with Ontario’s leading food and beverage processing employers.
Careers In Food
Careers In Food is a job board focused on food and beverage manufacturing careers.
Recruiters
AgriRecruiting
AgriRecruiting specializes in recruiting for agriculture and agribusiness positions.
Grasslands Recruitment Group
Grasslands Recruitment Group connects jobseekers and employers across Canada in the agribusiness and agri-food sector.
Litherland & Company
Litherland & Company recruits professionals, managers, executives and board members for Canada’s agriculture sector.
Job Bank
Job Bank is Canada's national employment service. It helps jobseekers find job opportunities and employers find qualified candidates.
Job Bank lists many of the opportunities available in Ontario in the agriculture and food industry.
Featured job categories include:
- agriculture, food and harvesting
- agriculture and production
- food and beverage processing
- retail and wholesale
- food transportation and warehousing
- landscape and horticulture
How to use Job Bank
- Search by keyword and location.
- Use filters to narrow results or use advanced search options.
- Subscribe to Job Alerts.
- Sign up to Job Match to receive personalized job recommendations.
Start an apprenticeship
Learn about skilled trades careers and apprenticeship opportunities in Ontario’s agriculture and food industry.
Skilled trades in agriculture
Examples of skilled trades include:
- agricultural equipment technician
- horticulture technician
- arborist
- horse groom
- fruit grower
- dairy herdsperson
- swine herdsperson
Apprenticeship resources
Learn more about:
- Skilled Trades in Ontario
- Apprenticeship in Ontario
- Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)
- Level Up Ontario
Find apprenticeship opportunities
Find apprenticeship opportunities and access free coaching, job-readiness supports and networking opportunities for careers in the skilled trades on ApprenticeSearch.com.
Resources for newcomers
If you are new to Ontario, these resources can help you explore careers, build skills and find work in agriculture and food.
Employment services
Employment Ontario
Employment Ontario can help you get training, build skills or find a job. It will also help employers train their staff and find the talent they need.
ACCES Employment
ACCES Employment provides employment services, training programs and job search support for newcomers and other jobseekers. It also helps connect qualified candidates with employers.
Adult learning: Ontario Bridge Training Program
The Ontario Bridge Training Program helps internationally trained skilled newcomers find jobs that match their international training and qualifications.
Job search resources
Learn about Ontario’s labour market
Explore labour market information, employment trends and in-demand occupations to help guide your career decisions.
Resource for students
Explore education, training and career opportunities while you are still in school.
High school students
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) - Agriculture
Students in Grades 11 and 12 can develop sector-specific knowledge and skills while preparing for college, university, apprenticeship or work.
Career pathways include:
- veterinarian or veterinary technician
- heavy-duty equipment mechanic
- agricultural salesperson
- greenhouse operations worker
- chemical or mechanical engineer
- agronomist
- specialized livestock worker
- farm supervisor
Specialist High Skills Major: Food processing
Students can gain experience and knowledge related to Ontario’s food and beverage processing industry.
Career pathways include:
- food processing supervisor
- machine operator
- dietitian or nutritionist
- baker
- cook
Student career planning
- My Career Journey
Ontario Career Lab connects Grade 9 and 10 students with volunteer career coaches who share their experiences and insights about different career paths. Students can explore career options, ask questions and learn about Ontario’s labour market.
Postsecondary pathways
Student apprenticeship programs
Additional employment resources
Employment Ontario
Access career planning, training and employment supports.
Workforce Planning Ontario
Connect with local workforce planning boards for information on jobs, training and labour market trends.
Ontario's labour market
Find information and statistics about Ontario’s labour market, workforce trends and in-demand occupations to help you plan your career.
Canadian Agricultural Human Resources Council
Find research-based labour market information, career resources and human resources tools for the agriculture sector.