AGRICULTURE, FOOD, AND NATURAL RESOURCES CAREER FIELD
Have you ever thought about how a tomato makes it to your plate at dinner? Or what outdoor parks would be like if no one took care of them? If you think about it, you’ll see that from farmers to park rangers, the agriculture and natural resources industry has a huge impact. In the 21st century, the agricultural and food industry is high-tech, with an emphasis on data and technology. Discover career opportunities through our introductory, project-based learning course called agriculture explorations . If a certain pathway interests you, you can choose agriculture-focused electives too.
- Learn the emerging technical skills being used in food production
- Study the science behind agriculture and natural resources
- Prepare for industry certifications in agriculture and food
EXPLORE AGRICULTURE, FOOD, AND NATURAL RESOURCES PATHWAYS
Discover career possibilities in agriculture and the path that Destinations has designed to help you get there. Starting with an exploration course that teaches the basics, you can then select a career pathway* specific to your interests in the field. The pathways below are designed to prepare you to enter the modern field of agriculture.
Agribusiness Pathway
Prepare for a career in agribusiness through learning what the industry has to offer. This pathway starts with the foundations of agriculture and then propels you into learning business and entrepreneurship. Enter this pathway to get ahead in careers such as farming, ranching, or agricultural engineering.
- Discover the components of agriculture from a foundational level
- See how science and tech help produce and maintain better plants
- Learn the business side of agricultural commodities
| 9TH GRADE |
10TH GRADE |
11TH GRADE |
12TH GRADE |
CERTIFICATIONS |
POTENTIAL JOBS |
|---|
Agriculture Explorations (Project-Based Learning [PBL])
|
Agriscience II
Agribusiness (PBL)
|
Entrepreneurship 1 (PBL)
|
|
ACT National Career Readiness Certification (NCRC)
|
Farmer
Rancher
Farm Labor Contractor
Environmental Science and Protection Technician
Agricultural Engineer
|
9TH GRADE
Agriculture Explorations (Project-Based Learning [PBL])
10TH GRADE
Agriscience II
Agribusiness (PBL)
11TH GRADE
Entrepreneurship 1 (PBL)
CERTIFICATIONS
ACT National Career Readiness Certification (NCRC)
POTENTIAL JOBS
Farmer
Rancher
Farm Labor Contractor
Environmental Science and Protection Technician
Agricultural Engineer
Food Processing and Production Pathway
Have you ever wanted to be a butcher, chef, or food scientist? This pathway might be for you. Start with a foundation in agriculture basics and move through to nutrition and chemistry to processing and safety. You'll learn what it takes to have a career in food processing and production.
- Discover foundations of food production and chemistry
- Build a foundation of culinary skills and knowledge
- Learn trends and standards for genetically engineered foods
| 9TH GRADE |
10TH GRADE |
11TH GRADE |
12TH GRADE |
CERTIFICATIONS |
POTENTIAL JOBS |
|---|
Agriculture Explorations (Project-Based Learning [PBL])
|
Agriscience II
Introduction to Culinary Arts
|
Principles of Agriculture
Food Production 1 (PBL)
|
Food Production 2 (PBL–Spring 2020)
|
ACT National Career Readiness Certification (NCRC)
ServSafe Food Handler
|
Agricultural and Food Scientist
Agricultural and Food Science Technician
Butcher
Chef/Head Cook
|
9TH GRADE
Agriculture Explorations (Project-Based Learning [PBL])
10TH GRADE
Agriscience II
Introduction to Culinary Arts
11TH GRADE
Principles of Agriculture
Food Production 1 (PBL)
12TH GRADE
Food Production 2 (PBL–Spring 2020)
CERTIFICATIONS
ACT National Career Readiness Certification (NCRC)
ServSafe Food Handler
POTENTIAL JOBS
Agricultural and Food Scientist
Agricultural and Food Science Technician
Butcher
Chef/Head Cook
Technical Systems Pathway
If a career in agriculture or natural sciences piques your interest, this pathway can give you a head start. Starting with a foundation in agriculture, you'll come to understand how agricultural structures as well as machinery and equipment work together in an agricultural supply chain.
- Learn to use common agricultural tools and materials
- Gain a fundamental understanding of mechanical engineering
- Discover technology for an efficient supply chain
| 9TH GRADE |
10TH GRADE |
11TH GRADE |
12TH GRADE |
CERTIFICATIONS |
POTENTIAL JOBS |
|---|
Agriculture Explorations (Project-Based Learning [PBL])
|
Agriscience II
Agriculture Mechanics 1
|
Agriculture Mechanics 2
Agriculture Mechanics 3
|
|
ACT National Career Readiness Certification (NCRC)
NOCTI Agricultural Mechanics
|
Environmental Science and Protection Technician
Forest and Conservation Worker
Natural Sciences Manager
Agricultural Worker
|
9TH GRADE
Agriculture Explorations (Project-Based Learning [PBL])
10TH GRADE
Agriscience II
Agriculture Mechanics 1
11TH GRADE
Agriculture Mechanics 2
Agriculture Mechanics 3
CERTIFICATIONS
ACT National Career Readiness Certification (NCRC)
NOCTI Agricultural Mechanics
POTENTIAL JOBS
Environmental Science and Protection Technician
Forest and Conservation Worker
Natural Sciences Manager
Agricultural Worker
CONNECT WITH INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS
Apprenticeships*, job shadowing, and internships* are an opportunity to see how your lessons in the classroom apply to the real world.
START PLANNING FOR YOUR FUTURE, TODAY
Discover how you can transform your passions into success after graduation with the help of Destinations career counselors.
OCCUPATION SPOTLIGHT††
FOOD SCIENCE TECHNICIANS
OCCUPATION SPOTLIGHT††
FOOD SCIENCE TECHNICIANS
Food science technicians typically collect samples, test food, food additives, and food containers to ensure they comply with established safety standards help conduct research and analyze food to determine ingredients and formulas.
2019 Median Salary
|
$41,230 |
Projected New Jobs from 2019–2029
|
1,000 |
Job Growth Rate 2019–2029
|
4% |
Typical Entry-Level Education
|
Associate's degree |
Food science technicians typically collect samples, test food, food additives, and food containers to ensure they comply with established safety standards help conduct research and analyze food to determine ingredients and formulas.
2019 Median Salary
|
$41,230 |
Projected New Jobs from 2019–2029
|
1,000 |
Job Growth Rate 2019–2029
|
4% |
Typical Entry-Level Education
|
Associate's degree |
OCCUPATION SPOTLIGHT††
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND PROTECTION TECHNICIANS
OCCUPATION SPOTLIGHT††
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND PROTECTION TECHNICIANS
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution and contamination. They typically need an associate’s degree or 2 years of postsecondary education, although some positions require a bachelor’s degree.
2019 Median Salary
|
$46,540 |
Projected New Jobs from 2019–2029
|
2,900 |
Job Growth Rate 2019–2029
|
8% |
Typical Entry-Level Education
|
Associate's degree |
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution and contamination. They typically need an associate’s degree or 2 years of postsecondary education, although some positions require a bachelor’s degree.
2019 Median Salary
|
$46,540 |
Projected New Jobs from 2019–2029
|
2,900 |
Job Growth Rate 2019–2029
|
8% |
Typical Entry-Level Education
|
Associate's degree |
OCCUPATION SPOTLIGHT††
ENVIRONMENTAL
ENGINEERING TECHNICIANS
OCCUPATION SPOTLIGHT††
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING TECHNICIANS
Environmental Engineering Technicians carry out the plans that environmental engineers develop. They mostly work full time, indoors, usually in laboratories, and often have regular working hours. However, they must sometimes work irregular hours in order to monitor operations.
2018 Median Salary
|
$50,620 |
Projected New Jobs from 2018–2028
|
1,400 |
Job Growth Rate 2018–2028
|
7% |
Typical Entry-Level Education
|
Associate's degree |
Environmental Engineering Technicians carry out the plans that environmental engineers develop. They mostly work full time, indoors, usually in laboratories, and often have regular working hours. However, they must sometimes work irregular hours in order to monitor operations.
2018 Median Salary
|
$50,620 |
Projected New Jobs from 2018–2028
|
1,400 |
Job Growth Rate 2018–2028
|
7% |
Typical Entry-Level Education
|
Associate's degree |
OCCUPATION SPOTLIGHT††
AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD SCIENTISTS
OCCUPATION SPOTLIGHT††
AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD SCIENTISTS
Agricultural and Food Scientists research ways to improve the efficiency and safety of agricultural establishments and products. Agricultural and food scientists work in laboratories, in offices, and in the field. Most agricultural and food scientists work full time.
2019 Median Salary
|
$65,160 |
Projected New Jobs from 2019–2029
|
2,000 |
Job Growth Rate 2019–2029
|
6% |
Typical Entry-Level Education
|
Bachelor's degree |
Agricultural and Food Scientists research ways to improve the efficiency and safety of agricultural establishments and products. Agricultural and food scientists work in laboratories, in offices, and in the field. Most agricultural and food scientists work full time.
2019 Median Salary
|
$65,160 |
Projected New Jobs from 2019–2029
|
2,000 |
Job Growth Rate 2019–2029
|
6% |
Typical Entry-Level Education
|
Bachelor's degree |
LEARN MORE ABOUT COURSE OFFERINGS IN THE OTHER CAREER FIELDS
LEARN MORE ABOUT COURSE OFFERINGS IN THE OTHER CAREER FIELDS
††Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. Website last modified date: Wednesday, September 1, 2020. This job may require additional education and certifications once a student graduates from high school.
