Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council

What Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council does

The Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) is a national non-profit organization, founded in 2006 and headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, focused on addressing human resource and workforce challenges facing the Canadian agricultural sector. CAHRC operates with a small core staff of approximately 9 employees and serves as the designated national centre of excellence for agricultural labour market information, human resource management tools, and workforce development programming. The organization covers 11 commodity areas (including dairy, beef, swine, poultry, fruit and vegetable, greenhouse/nursery, grain and oilseed, aquaculture, apiculture, sheep and goat, and agriculture support services) and operates across all 10 Canadian provinces.

CAHRC's product portfolio is structured around six core AGRI programs (LMI, Jobs, Skills, Talent, Workforce Issues, and Diversity), a suite of fee-for-service microcredential training programs, the AgriHR Toolkit web application, National Occupational Standards, and interactive Power BI labour market dashboards. Technology infrastructure includes the AgriSkills online learning platform, CAHRC Connect virtual community platform, and integrations with Mailchimp, Stripe, Zoom, and Magnet Outcome Campus Connect. The organization co-developed the National Workforce Strategic Plan with the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and Food and Beverage Canada, and runs the annual NWSP Workforce Summit as a sector convening event.

CAHRC's business model relies on a hybrid funding structure: primary funding from the Government of Canada's Sectoral Initiatives Program, supplemented by fee-for-service training program revenue (programs priced $1,750-$2,750 per enrollment), tiered partnership fees (Essential, Strategic, Premier tiers), AgriHR Toolkit license sales, and consulting services. Distribution occurs through a network of 60+ partner organizations across industry associations, educational institutions, commodity groups, and government bodies, allowing CAHRC to reach agricultural employers without a direct sales force. Customer segments include agricultural employers, industry associations, post-secondary students, equity-deserving groups (women, Indigenous, immigrants, persons with disabilities), and government policy stakeholders.

Name

Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council

Legal name

Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council

Website

https://cahrc-ccrha.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council is a national non-profit organization that provides labour market research, HR tools, training programs, and workforce development services to Canadian agricultural employers, industry associations, and government across all 10 provinces and 11 commodity areas.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Ottawa

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Government of Canada Funding: CAHRC is funded in part by the Government of Canada's Sectoral Initiatives Program. This government grant represents the primary funding source for the organization's research, programs, and national workforce initiatives.
2. Training and Microcredential Programs: CAHRC generates revenue through fee-for-service training programs including the Supervisor Leadership Skills Development Program ($1,750), Ag HR Management Program ($2,750), Women in Agriculture Leadership Program ($1,950), and TFWP School ($2,500). Group and partner discounts are available.
3. Partnership Fees and Licensing: CAHRC offers tiered partnership programs (Essential, Strategic, Premier) to industry associations, corporations, and educational institutions. Partner benefits include access to research, co-branded webinars, toolkit licenses, and recognition. Membership/partner fees fund organizational operations.
4. AgriHR Toolkit Sales: The AgriHR Toolkit is offered at discounted rates to partner organizations. Strategic and Premier partners receive complimentary or deeply discounted toolkit licenses for their members (Premier: 100 complimentary licenses valued at $20,000). Toolkit sales/revenue support HR tools development.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CAHRC is a national non-profit organization that develops and delivers agricultural human resource products, research, and training programs for Canadian agricultural employers. Its core offerings include the AgriHR Toolkit (HR management templates and tools), six AGRI programs covering labour market intelligence, occupational standards, training, talent/student placements, workforce issues, and diversity, plus microcredential training programs and an online learning platform. The organization is funded partly by the Government of Canada's Sectoral Initiatives Program and generates revenue through training fees, partnership tiers, and toolkit sales.

Product overview

CAHRC operates as a national non-profit organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of workforce development products and services for Canadian agriculture. The core offering centers on the AgriHR Toolkit, which provides HR management resources, combined with seven AGRI programs addressing distinct workforce needs: AGRI LMI (labour market intelligence), AGRI Jobs (occupational standards), AGRI Skills (training delivery), AGRI Talent/Growing Opportunities (student work placements with wage subsidies), AGRI Workforce Issues (research), and AGRI Diversity (inclusion initiatives). The product portfolio extends through microcredential training programs including the Supervisor Leadership Skills Development Program, Ag HR Management Program, Women in Agriculture Leadership Program, and TFWP School for foreign worker hiring. Online learning is delivered through the AgriSkills platform providing HR, IDEA, and newcomer courses. Supporting tools include turnover calculators, benchmarking tools, and sector action plans. The National Workforce Strategic Plan coordinates sector-wide strategic planning with partner organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AgriHR Toolkit CAHRC's comprehensive human resource management resource for agricultural employers, providing templates, guides, and tools for recruitment, retention, policy development, and workforce management. Includes HR policies, benchmarking tools, and turnover calculators.
• Supervisor Leadership Skills Development Program 8-week interactive blended learning program teaching essential leadership skills for agricultural supervisors. Covers communication, emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, delegation, coaching, and inclusive leadership.
• Ag HR Management Program 3-month online program for farm owners, managers, and HR professionals covering recruitment, training, retention, workplace wellness, and policy development. Includes 12-month AgriHR Toolkit access.
• Women in Agriculture Essential Leadership Skills Development Program 10-week interactive program designed specifically for women in primary agriculture and industry associations, covering core leadership skills, challenges women face, communication, emotional intelligence, and coaching.
• TFWP School: Hiring Foreign Workers in Agriculture Hands-on training program over six live online sessions (90 minutes each) simplifying the Temporary Foreign Worker Program for agricultural employers, covering LMIA process, job ads, documentation, and compliance.
• National Workforce Strategic Plan (NWSP) Strategic workforce planning initiative developed in partnership with the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and Food and Beverage Canada, addressing labour shortages and workforce development across Canadian agriculture and agri-food sectors.
• AGRI LMI (Labour Market Information) Program Program focused on assessing current agricultural labour market conditions, projecting future supply and demand for agricultural workers, and recommending solutions to sector labour issues.
• AGRI Jobs Program Program building nationally validated job information to clarify skills requirements for agricultural positions, providing tools for employers, employees, associations, and educators.
• AGRI Skills Program Practical, targeted training options for agricultural employers, employees, associations, and educators, addressing workforce challenges and supporting development of productive, profitable businesses.
• AGRI Talent / Growing Opportunities Program Student work-integrated learning program that connects post-secondary students with agricultural employers through subsidized wage placements. Part of the Government of Canada's Student Work Placement Program, supporting employers with up to 50% wage subsidies (max $5,000 per student).
• AGRI Workforce Issues Program Program focused on assessing current agricultural labour market conditions, projecting future worker supply and demand, and recommending solutions to sector labour issues.
• AGRI Diversity Program Diversity initiative supporting workplace inclusion for women, Indigenous people, immigrants, and persons with disabilities in the agricultural workforce. Includes the National Women in Agriculture Network Project and practical tools for inclusive hiring.
• AgriSkills Online Training Platform Learning management platform providing e-learning courses including HR management modules, inclusion/diversity training, newcomer career pathways, on-the-job training, and temporary foreign worker integration courses.
• CAHRC Consulting Services Expert team provides direct consulting services to organizations to identify key HR issues and develop tailored solutions. Targets large agricultural enterprises, industry associations, and government departments seeking customized workforce planning and HR strategy support.
• National Women in Agriculture Network Network project fostering women's advancement in agriculture through action plans, research, surveys, networking events, and professional development with a goal of 30% leadership representation by 2030.
• Partnership Program (Essential, Strategic, Premier Tiers) CAHRC offers tiered partnership programs (Essential, Strategic, Premier) to industry associations, corporations, and educational institutions. Partner benefits include access to research, co-branded webinars, toolkit licenses, and recognition.

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% of Women in Agriculture program participants would recommend the training to others
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and supporting.

• Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAHRC co-developed and co-launched the National Workforce Strategic Plan with CFA and Food and Beverage Canada (FBC-ABC). CFA is one of CAHRC's key strategic partners in advancing workforce solutions for Canadian agriculture.
• Food and Beverage Canada (FBC-ABC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFBC-ABC co-announced the launch of the National Workforce Strategic Plan alongside CAHRC and CFA, extending workforce strategy collaboration beyond primary agriculture into food and beverage manufacturing.
• Perennial TalentsecondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPerennial Talent (Dr. Andrea Butler and Dan van der Werf) co-designs and delivers CAHRC's supervisor training programs. The firm specializes in talent management and leadership development solutions tailored to agriculture.
• Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAIA represents the aquaculture sector on CAHRC's Board of Directors, with Cyr Couturier (CAIA) serving as Board Chair. This ensures aquaculture workforce issues are integrated into CAHRC's national research and programming.
• Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPAS represents Saskatchewan agricultural producers on CAHRC's Board, with Jeremy Welter (APAS) serving as Vice-Chair. APAS provides prairie region perspective on workforce challenges affecting grain, oilseed, and livestock producers.
• Canadian Association of Diploma in Agriculture Programs (CADAP)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCADAP represents post-secondary agricultural diploma programs and serves as an Ex Officio member of CAHRC's Board, connecting CAHRC's workforce research with agricultural education curriculum and student pathways.
• 4-H CanadasupportingGTM or Marketing Partner4-H Canada is listed among CAHRC's partner organizations, supporting youth engagement and agricultural leadership development among young Canadians interested in agriculture careers.
• Farm Credit Canada (FCC)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerFCC is listed as a partner supporting CAHRC's mission to address workforce challenges in Canadian agriculture. FCC's agricultural finance expertise complements CAHRC's HR and workforce programming.
• AgriCarrièressupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerQuebec-based agricultural career organization listed as a CAHRC partner, supporting Quebec's participation in national workforce initiatives and agricultural career promotion.
• Colleges and Institutes CanadasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner, supporting collaboration between CAHRC and Canada's post-secondary college and institute network to advance agricultural workforce development and student placement programs.
• Canadian Hatching Egg Producers, Canadian Honey Council, Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada, Canadian Pork Council, Canadian Meat Council, Canadian Seed Growers Association, Canadian Seed Trade Association, Canadian Young Farmers ForumsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCommodity-specific organizations listed as CAHRC partners, providing sector-specific workforce research, member access, and programming for their respective agricultural subsectors.
• University of Guelph, University of Manitoba, McGill University (Macdonald Campus), University of Alberta, University of Saskatchewan, Lakehead University, Dalhousie University, Memorial University, University of Toronto, York UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversities listed as CAHRC partners support research collaboration, student talent pipelines through the Growing Opportunities program, and academic credibility for CAHRC's workforce research and programs.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Conference Board of Canada: Canadian applied research organization producing economic and workforce trend research. Comparable in producing authoritative Canadian labour market and economic research used by government and industry decision-makers.
• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC): Federal department responsible for agricultural policy in Canada. Comparable as the broader governmental authority whose Sectoral Initiatives Program funds CAHRC, and which sets national agricultural workforce policy context.
• Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS): National occupational health and safety non-profit funded by federal-provincial cooperation. Comparable as a federally-supported Canadian non-profit providing training, tools, and resources to employers across sectors.
• Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP): Federal-provincial-territorial initiative providing funding for Canadian agriculture. Comparable as the broader governmental funding framework within which CAHRC's sector-specific workforce programs operate.

Direct peers

• ECO Canada: National non-profit advancing environmental workforce development in Canada. Comparable as a sector workforce council offering LMI, training, wage subsidies, and HR tools to environmental employers.
• Canadian Federation of Agriculture: National umbrella organization representing Canadian farmers; co-launched the National Workforce Strategic Plan with CAHRC. Directly comparable as a Canadian agricultural non-profit with national convening authority.
• Food and Beverage Canada (FBC-ABC): National trade association for food and beverage manufacturers; co-launched the National Workforce Strategic Plan with CAHRC. Closely comparable as a sector workforce/policy non-profit serving a related but distinct commodity vertical.
• BioTalent Canada: National non-profit addressing HR challenges in Canada's bioeconomy. Directly comparable as a sector council with similar federal funding, LMI research, wage-subsidy programs, and partner-network delivery model serving a different industry vertical.
• Foreign Agricultural Resource Management Services (FARMS): Ontario-based non-profit administering the Temporary Foreign Worker Program for agriculture. Directly comparable as a Canadian agricultural workforce organization focused on TFW policy, and listed as a CAHRC board partner.
• Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC): National non-profit addressing human resource challenges in Canada's electricity sector. Closely comparable as a sector council funded under the federal Sectoral Initiatives Program that delivers LMI, occupational standards, and workforce development for its industry.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CdnAgHRCouncil
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CAHRC/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/CdnAgHRCouncil/?ref=hl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/canadian-agricultural-human-resource-council
• Instagraminstagram.com/cdnaghrcouncil

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles27 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council