Experience the World Through Agriculture
The Junior Farmers of Ontario Exchange Program opens doors to incredible international opportunities for our members. Each summer, we welcome young agricultural enthusiasts from Germany, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Ireland, Switzerland, and Austria who spend June through August exploring Ontario’s diverse farming communities. Meanwhile, our own members have the chance to embark on life-changing exchanges abroad, living with host families, discovering new agricultural practices, and building lasting friendships across continents.
Whether you’re hosting an international delegate or travelling as an exchange participant yourself, you’ll experience authentic farm life, explore different regions, participate in local events, and gain perspectives that will shape your future in agriculture. These exchanges create bonds that extend far beyond borders, connecting young farmers in a global network of shared passion and learning.
Ready to expand your horizons? Contact Sarah Danen, Director of Community and International Programs, to learn how you can be part of this transformative experience.
JFAO is excited to once again be hosting and sending out delegates for summer 2026 exchanges!
Incoming exchanges
We will host delegates from the following countries from June to August, 2026: Germany, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Switzerland, Australia and Austria. These delegates will travel across the province, being hosted by our local clubs, meeting our members, touring farms and seeing different regions of Ontario.
2026 Incoming Delegates
Martha McCarthy
Martha is 24 years old and currently farms in the south of Tipperary. Some of her interests involve showing cattle, boxing, hiking and helping out with fundraisers and bake sales. While on exchange she hopes to see Niagara Falls, visit farms and possibly agriculture shows and a museum. Given the opportunity she’d like to learn about Canada’s culture and historical background.
Sophie Hermann
Sophie is 19 and attending her final year in school where she focuses on Media Design and Economics. She loves animals and gymnastics but has also enjoyed other sports such as skiing, figure skating and horseback riding. Some of her other interests involve reading, singing, listening to music and spending time with her friends. Following her graduation she plans to take a gap year to travel; through this and her exchange she hopes to improve her language skills, experience new cultures, and grow as a person.
Lena Pagel
Lena is 27 and works as a purchasing agent at a Federal Employment Agency. She lives in the north of Germany in a small village named Amelinghausen. She has been active in their rural youth organization since 2018 and loves being in nature and enjoys running and hiking. Lena likes to travel the world and explore new places whenever possible but most of all she loves life in the countryside and all the activities she and her friends experience there. While on exchange she hopes to improve her English, participate in JF events, gain insights on life in rural areas and get to explore the hidden gems of the province rather than the tourist spots.
Jesse Macdonald
Jesse is 29 years old, works in construction and is very involved with Rural Youth and Agfest. Some of his interests include woodworking, construction, and reading. Though he doesn’t farm he is looking forward to learning lots and enjoying whatever opportunities this exchange provides him.
Chantal Widmer
Chantal is 23 years old and grew up on a sheep farm. She was also able to help out on a dairy farm a few times and can drive tractor. She currently works as a Carpenter and is excited to see how we live. While on exchange she hopes to get the chance to drive big tractors, see big farms, maybe a sawmill or carpentry shop, line dance, and attend a rodeo, tractor pull and football game.
Catherine Minford
Catherine is 25 years old and comes from a beef farm west of Belfast where they also keep around 200 store lambs. She works as a Scientific Officer and enjoys sports (hockey, swimming, dance, skiing, kayaking, paddle boarding), art/crafts, and hiking. She is excited to learn about agriculture and JFAO and seeing how they compare to Ireland while hopefully gaining new skills and insights that she can bring home. Catherine is looking forward to meeting new people, working hard, and getting involved in local life.
2026 Outgoing Delegates
JFAO is incredibly excited to have 4 members travelling as international delegates on exchanges this upcoming summer! Elizabeth Bruce, an Oxford member, will be travelling to Northern Ireland for 3 weeks. Sarah Danen, another member from Oxford, will be spending 3 weeks in the Republic of Ireland. Kelsey Brekelmans from Huron Perth will be in Scotland for 4 weeks. And Julie Milne from Peterborough will be spend 6-12 weeks in Switzerland. Stay tuned to see blog posts about their travel experiences!
JFAO offers exchanges every summer to our membership. If you are a member interested in an exchange, or would like to become a Junior Farmer member, contact Sarah Danen, the Director of Community and International Programs, sarah@jfao.on.ca.
Outgoing exchanges
We will also have 6 international travel opportunities for our own members. The details for outgoing exchanges are as follows:
Location | Spots Available | Approx. Dates | Approx. Duration | Age |
Germany | 1 | June 15 to early / mid-July | 3 – 6 Weeks | 18-30 |
Switzerland | 1 | June 13 or June 16 or July 30 arrival | 4-12 weeks
| 18-29 |
Austria | 1 | July 6 arrival | Up to 4 weeks | 18-28 |
Northern Ireland | 1 | August 2 – August 15 | 2 weeks | 18-29 |
Republic of Ireland | 1 | End of July / beginning of August arrival | 2-3 weeks | 18-29 |
-Spring 2027- Tasmania | 1 | April arrival | Up to 8 weeks | 18-29
|
If you have any questions about incoming or outgoing exchanges, please contact our director of Community and International programs, contact Sarah Danen, sarah@jfao.on.ca.
For more information about our exchange partners, see below.
Travel the World with JFAO!
Outgoing Exchanges!
Our Exchange Partners:
Rural Youth Tasmania accepts exchangees for a minimum six weeks or a maximum eight weeks. We usually have our incoming exchangees arrive in late April ready to participate in the staging of our Agfest Field Days event in early May. Our Rural Youth Clubs all take turns to host exchangees and take them along to club functions where possible, and also sightseeing in their local area.
Interested in Travelling
Applications for exchanges are being accepted January 1 to March 16, 2026.
Incoming Exchanges!
What to expect when visiting Ontario
Welcome to Ontario!
We are looking forward to 2025 when we are able to offer incoming exchange opportunities.
Things to look forward to as an incoming exchange delegate:
- Live with local members and family
- Travel across the province
- Visit farms and local businesses
- Play tourist and visit landmarks and sites that are unique to that club and county.
- Participate in summer events hosted by clubs and provinces.
Interested in hosting?
- Why should you host?
- Cultural experience
- Make friends from around the world
- Explore and promote your local area
- Requirements:
Requirements
All applicants must have been a JF member in good standing for at least one year. International applicants 20-29 (max. 26 for UK and Wales exchange) as of January 1st the year of the exchange. Following each exchange, a travel bursary is offered once all of the program requirements are completed. Please see the Travel section of the JFAO
Policies for more specific requirements and bursary amounts. Opportunity conditions will be based on the policies in effect as of January 31st.
Note: A past exchangee may apply for a different travel opportunity. Priority will be given to any qualified member who has not previously been awarded a travel opportunity
Ambassador’s Banquet
Each year JFAO hosts the Ambassador’s Banquet to recognize past exchange delegates who have travelled internationally, as well as celebrate the exchangee’s who have visited Ontario through the summer and those who went on exchange in the past year. Visit the Ambassadors Banquet page.
Testimonials
Read stories form past travellers on the JFAO Blog.