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

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
Experience Level | Salary Range |
---|---|
Entry-Level | $25,235 |
Average | $44,315 |
Experienced | $51,220 |
Source: WORKnet Wisconsin |
Animal Systems

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
Experience Level | Salary Range |
---|---|
Entry-Level | $22,720 |
Average | $37,680 |
Experienced | $46,645 |
Source: WORKnet Wisconsin |
Plants, Natural Resources, and Environmental Service Systems

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
Experience Level | Salary Range |
---|---|
Entry-Level | $26,640 |
Average | $26,640 |
Experienced | $47,475 |
Source: WORKnet Wisconsin |
Power, Structural, and Technical Systems

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
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 |