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LeafA leaf illustration to indicate agriculture information on this page.Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources

Are you comfortable working on farms and with animals?

Then you should consider a career in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources.

We only have one planet, with over 7 billion people living here. Everyone needs to eat, and everyone has the right to enjoy the outdoors. Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources focuses on creating sustainable methods to grow and produce food to feed our population while protecting the environment for generations to come.

As our population grows, our farmers and livestock producers are leveraging technology and implementing best practices to produce and grow more food with limited land, grain, water, and energy sources.

There is an increased demand for workers to support the technology, machinery, and power systems that support our ever-growing agribusiness industries.

As we place more demands and stress on our land, forests, and waters, there are new careers in helping monitor, maintaining, and improve our environment so that we don't destroy the only planet we have.

 

Career Pathway: Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources
Recommended Scope & Sequence of Courses

Content Area

9th Grade

10th Grade

11 Grade

12 Grade

Total Credits

English / Language Arts

English 9 

English 10

English 11

English 12

4

Math

Algebra

Geometry

Advance Algebra

Pre-Calculus

4

Science

PhysChem

Biology

 

Science Elective

(Environmental Science-1cr.)

3

Social Studies

World Studies

U.S. History

Social Studies Elective

(Current Events .5)

Civics (.5)

3

Career & Technical Education Courses

PLATO CLASSES CAN BE TAKEN AT ANY TIME

Intro to Agriculture (1 cr.)

Natural Resources (.5 cr)

 

Animal Science 1 (1 cr)

Landscape (.5 cr)

 

Animal Science 2 (1 cr)

 

Youth Apprenticeship (1 cr)

Food Production and Processing (.5 cr)

 

Farm and Business Management (1 cr)

 

Youth Apprenticeship (1 cr)

8

PLATO Courses

CAN BE TAKEN ANYTIME

Introduction to Veterinary Science (PLATO.5 cr)

Principles of Ag, Food & Nat. Resources A/B (1 cr)

Principles of A, F & NR (PLATO, .5 cr)

Veterinary Science (PLATO, .5 cr)

Agriscience ! (PLATO, .5 cr)

Agriscience 2 (PLATO, .5 cr)

Forestry and Natural Resources (PLATO, .5 cr)

Introduction to Agriculture, Food & Natural Resource Pathway (PLATO, .5 cr)

     

Other Required

Freshman Success (.5)

PE 9 (.5)

Computer Concepts (.5 cr)

Health (.5)

Personal Finance (.5 cr)

Post Secondary Options (.5 cr)

PE Elective (.5 cr)

PE Elective (.5)

4

Related Activities and Organizations

FFA, 4H

 

Total Credits:

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

26

* Postsecondary Credit Available

Agribusiness & Food Production Systems
man in field examining plants

Agribusiness today combines different farming methods, varieties in soil and climate, crop rotation, irrigation and fertilization, as well as finance and operations. Food production facilities convert crops into marketable and consumable food for purchase.

Jobs In Demand:
  • Agribusiness Manager
  • Agricultural Operations
  • Farmer
  • Food Scientist
  • Grain Manager
  • Soil and Plant Scientist
Next Ten Years
  • 4.4% Job Growth
  • 1,138 New Job Openings
  • Source: WORKnet Wisconsin
Annual Salary Range
Annual Salary Range
Experience Level Salary Range
Entry-Level

$25,235

Average

$44,315

Experienced

$51,220

Source: WORKnet Wisconsin
Animal Systems
woman in cow barn

Livestock production helps to increase the productivity of producing meat, eggs, and dairy products. With the limited supply of land, grain food, and water, implementing best practices, the latest technology, and conservation has become critical to the future of Animal Systems.

Jobs in Demand:
  • Animal Breeder
  • Dairy Farmer
  • Livestock Production Specialist
  • Rancher
  • Veterinarian
Next Ten Years
  • 2.8% Job Growth
  • 247 New Job Openings
  • Source: WORKnet Wisconsin
Annual Salary Range
Annual Salary Range
Experience Level Salary Range
Entry-Level

$22,720

Average

$37,680

Experienced

$46,645

Source: WORKnet Wisconsin
Plants, Natural Resources, and Environmental Service Systems
woman in greenhouse

A wide spectrum of industries, from agribusiness to construction employ environmental engineers, scientists, and technicians to maintain a balance between industry growth and environmental preservation and sustainability.

Jobs in Demand:
  • Environmental Scientist
  • Forest and Conservation Technician
  • Park Ranger
  • Resource Engineer
  • Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist

View the course scope and sequence for Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources.

Next Ten Years
  • 6.8% Job Growth
  • 1,088 New Job Openings
  • Source: WORKnet Wisconsin
Annual Salary Range
Annual Salary Range
Experience Level Salary Range
Entry-Level

$26,640

Average

$26,640

Experienced

$47,475

Source: WORKnet Wisconsin
Power, Structural, and Technical Systems
farm equipment mechanic

Workers in the Power, Structural, and Technical Systems career pathways keep the farming machines, food production lines, and power systems running. Advancements in agribusiness technology are creating new careers and that require newly learned skill-sets.

Jobs in Demand:
  • Agricultural Engineer
  • Agricultural Equipment Operator
  • Farm Equipment Mechanic
  • Geological and Petroleum Technician
  • Heavy Equipment Mechanic
Next Ten Years
  • 7.7% Job Growth
  • 329 New Job Openings
  • Source: WORKnet Wisconsin
Annual Salary Range
Annual Salary Range
Experience Level Salary Range
Entry-Level

$23,145

Average

$34,120

Experienced

$46,645

Source: WORKnet Wisconsin

Pathway Specific Courses

Course Number Course Name Department Pathway Prerequisite Suggested Grade Level(s)
AGA111 Advanced Animal Science Agriculture Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources 9, 10, 11, 12
AG111 Ag Animal Science 1 & 2 Agriculture Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources 9, 10, 11, 12
98798 Ag Conservation Agriculture Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources 9, 10, 11, 12
559 Ag Farm/Bus Mgt Agriculture Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources 9, 10, 11, 12
556 Ag Horticulture Agriculture Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources 9, 10, 11, 12
569 Ag Leadership Agriculture Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources 9, 10, 11, 12
558 Ag Plant/Soil Science Agriculture Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources 9, 10, 11, 12
564 Ag Small Animal Agriculture Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources 9, 10, 11, 12
557 Ag Survey Agriculture Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources 9, 10, 11, 12
575AG Ag Youth Apprenticeship Agriculture Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources 9, 10, 11, 12
AG560 Agribusiness Agriculture Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources 9, 10, 11, 12
99 Geography Social Studies Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources 9, 10, 11, 12
580AG Natural Resources Agriculture Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources 9, 10, 11, 12