Career Opportunities with Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Cluster

Agriculture, Food &

Natural Resources

Animal Systems / Agricscience Applications / Animal Science 1 / Animal Science 2-Small Animal / Vet Assisting
Food Products & Processing / Personal Finance / Foods 1 / Foods 2 / CTE Ad Studies
Foods 2 Technology
Plant System / Agriscience Applications / Horticulture 1 / Horticulture 2 / CTE Ad Studies
Horticulture 2-Landscaping
Horticulture 2-Turfgrass

Career Opportunities with Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Cluster:

Some careers include:

Animal Caretakers, Equine Managers,

Veterinary or Vet Assistants, Animal Scientists,

Embryo Technologists, Livestock Buyers, Feed Sales,

Wildlife Biologists,Livestock Geneticists,

Animal Nutritionists, Dairy Producers,

Pet Shop Owner, USDA Inspectors,

Plant Breeders, Agricultural Educators,

Plant Pathologists, Aquaculturalists,

Botanists, Agricultural Journalists,

Grain operations, Golf Course Superintendents,

Greenhouse Mangers, Growers, Farmers, Ranchers,

Food Scientists, Meat Processors,

Biochemists, Nutritionists,

Dieticians, Food Inspectors,

Meat Cutters, Meat Graders,

Cheese Makers, Microbiologists,

Food & Drug Inspectors, Biochemists, and

Food Processors

Job Information:

Veterinarians care for the health of animals. They diagnose, treat, or research medical conditions and diseases of pets, livestock, and animals in zoos, race tracks, and laboratories.

-Median Salary is $82,040 or $39.44 per hour.

-Education includes doctoral degree in Veterinary medicine.

-Universities with Veterinary Degree: NC State University, Virginia Tech University, University of Georgia and University of Florida.

Agricultural Managers run establishments/business that produces a crop and/or plant. They work outdoors and/or in a greenhouse.

-Median Salary is $60,750 or $29.21 per hour.

-Education includes high school diploma and/or certification.

-Colleges with Agricultural degree: Sandhills Community College, NC State University, Fayetteville Tech College, and Rockingham Community College.

Nutritionists are experts in food and nutrition. They advise people on what to eat in order to lead a healthy lifestyle or achieve a specific health–related goal.

-Median Salary is $53, 250 or $25.60 per hour.

-Education includes Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition

-Colleges/Universities with Nutrition degree: Appalachian State, University of NC at Chapel Hill, at Greensboro, East Carolina University, and Meredith College.

AU 10 Agriscience Applications

The world’s population is expected to double by the year 2050! This is sure to put a strain on the world’s food supply and natural resources. This course focuses on integrating biological and physical sciences with technology as related to the environment, natural resources, food production, science and agribusiness. Topics of instruction include agricultural awareness and literacy, employability skills and introduction to all aspects of the total agricultural industry. Skills in biology, language, writing, computers, mathematics, and physics are reinforced in this course. Field trips, job shadowing, agriscience projects are possible activities for this course. Supervised agricultural experience programs and FFA leadership activities are a large part of this course and allow students to learn more about opportunities in this field of study.

Credit: 1Type: StandardGrade: 9-12

AA21 Animal Science 1

Students must like working with animals and be willing to work with cattle, poultry, pigs, goats, and other large livestock animals. This course focuses on the basic scientific principles and processes involved in livestock production in regards to management and husbandry, with an emphasis on food production. Topics include animal diseases, introduction to animal science, animal nutrition, animal science issues, career opportunities, reproductive and digestive physiology, and animal evaluation and grading. Skills in biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, and algebra are reinforced in this course.

Credit: 1Type: StandardGrade: 10-12

AA23 Animal Science 2 – Small Animal***

Students must like animals and be willing to work with dogs, cats, fish, pocket pets, reptiles, birds, etc. This course provides instruction in the broad field of Animal Science- Small Animals with an emphasis on the scientific and technical knowledge for a career in the field of Animal Science- Small Animals. Animal Science II focuses on domestic small animals involving topics such as introduction to the small animal industry, leadership for career development, developing and maintaining records in the animal industry, animal digestion and nutrition, animal reproduction and genetics, animal anatomy and physiology, breed identification, handling and caring for small animals, behavior and physiological processes, and disease identification and management. Skills in biology, chemistry, physics, English, marketing, and algebra are reinforced in this course. Work- based learning strategies appropriate for this course are agriscience projects, internships, and Supervised Agricultural Experiences. Supervised Agricultural Experience programs and FFA Leadership activities are integral components of the course and provide many opportunities for practical application of the instructional competencies.

Credit: 1Type: StandardGrade: 10-12

AA23 Honors Animal Science 2 – Small Animal***

Credit: 1Type: Honors Grade: 10-12

____ Vet Assisting

This course provides instruction for students desiring a career in animal medicine. Topics include proper veterinary practice management and client relations, pharmacy and laboratory procedure, enhancement of animal care learned in previous animal courses, and surgical/radiological procedures. Advanced FFA leadership will be infused throughout the curriculum to develop the student's ability to work with the public. All aspects of this course will have hands-on skill sets that will be enforced with a total of 500 (200 laboratory/classroom hands-on hours and 300 under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian or certified veterinary technician) working in animal medicine throughout all animal courses in high school. The students will complete the skills and have them checked off during the 1-3 year(s) of high school. Applied mathematics, science, writing, and skill sets are integrated throughout the curriculum. Students will learn the material in order to be prepared for the Veterinary Assisting exam developed by the Texas Veterinary Medical Association. With successful completion of the exam and hours, students will be able to be a Certified Veterinary Assistant (CVA) Level 1.

Pre-requisite: Animal Science 2 or Honors Animal Science 2

Credit: 1Type: StandardGrade: 12

BF05 Personal Finance

This course prepares students to understand economic activities and challenges of individuals and families, goal setting, job searching, financial forms, consumer buying, and consumer service. Students will learn consumer rights and responsibilities as well as how to manage personal finances.

Credit: 1Type: StandardGrade 9-12

FN41 Foods 1

The first part of this class is nutrition, safety, sanitation, consumer issues (food budgeting, unit pricing, manners, tipping, setting the table), equipment and recipe knowledge (adjusting recipes using fractions, substitutions, and abbreviations). Daily journals, projects, homework, and tests are an integral part of this class. Students must be able to calculate percentages, and work with fractions in the reduction and doubling of recipes. Students must be able to use word, excel, and power point. The second part of this class is basic food preparation with written lab reflections. Students must make a certain grade on the safety/sanitation test and tool test in order to participate in lab. Students spend limited amount of time in the lab (kitchen). The other days are devoted to in class lessons on breads, grains, cookies, cakes, fruits, vegetables, dairy, eggs, beef, poultry, pork and fish.

Credit: 1Type: StandardGrade: 9-12

FN41 Honors Foods 1

The first part of this class is nutrition, safety, sanitation, consumer issues (food budgeting, unit pricing, manners, tipping, setting the table), equipment and recipe knowledge (adjusting recipes using fractions, substitutions, and abbreviations). Daily journals, projects, homework, and tests are an integral part of this class. Students must be able to calculate percentages, and work with fractions in the reduction and doubling of recipes. Students must be able to use word, excel, and power point. Students must be able to write comparison/contrast papers and five paragraph papers. Students will conduct research and present their findings through graphs. The second part of this class is basic food preparation with written lab reflections. Students must make a certain grade on the safety/sanitation test and tool test in order to participate in lab. Students spend limited amount of time in the lab (kitchen). The other days are devoted to in class lessons on breads, grains, cookies, cakes, fruits, vegetables, dairy, eggs, beef, poultry, pork and fish. Students will create a business in the food industry and present it to a panel of judges for review.

Credit: 1Type: HonorsGrade 9-12

FN42 Foods 2***

Pre-requisite: Foods 1 or Honors Foods 1

Credit: 1Type: StandardGrade: 10-12

FN42 Honors Foods 2***

This course focuses on advanced food preparation techniques while applying nutrition, and food science. Food safety and sanitation receive special emphasis, with students taking the exam for the ServSafe credentials from the National Restaurant Association. Students develop skills in preparing foods such as beverages, salads and dressing, yeast breads, cake production and garnishing skills. Research on safety and sanitation, advanced cake decorating, and presentation of food preparation techniques are required. Entrepreneurship components are also a part of this class.

Pre-requisite: Foods 1 or Honors Foods 1

Credit: 1Type: StandardGrade: 10-12

FN43 Foods 2 – Technology***

This course explores the food industry from the farm to the table using skills in food science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Students will be introduced to government regulations, emerging trends, biotechnology, and technological career opportunities as well as examining production, processing, preparation, preservation, and packaging principles. Work-based learning strategies appropriate for this course include apprenticeship, cooperative education, school-based enterprise, service learning, and job shadowing.

Pre-requisite: Foods 1 or Honors Foods 1

Credit: 1Type: StandardGrade 10-12

AP41 Horticulture 1

Plants play a large role in the world around us. Whether you pursue horticulture as a career or you plan to have a vegetable garden and grow your own food, concepts learned in this course will be beneficial. This course provides instruction on the broad field of horticulture with emphasis on the scientific and technical knowledge for a career in horticulture. Topics in this course include plant growth and development, plant nutrition, media selection, basic plant identification, pest management, chemical disposal, customer relations, career opportunities, and leadership development. Skills in biology, chemistry, and algebra are reinforced in this course.

Credit: 1Type: StandardGrade: 9-12

AP41 Honors Horticulture 1

Credit: 1Type: StandardGrade: 9-12

AP44 Horticulture 2***

This course expands scientific knowledge and skills obtained in Horticulture 1 to include more hands on skills, and communication skills needed in the horticulture industry. It includes greenhouse plant production and management, bedding plant production, watering systems, lighting effects, basic landscape design, installation and maintenance, lawn and turf grass management, career planning, and leadership/personal development. This course reinforces skills in biology, chemistry, and algebra.

Pre-requisite: Horticulture 1 or Honors Horticulture 1

Credit: 1Type: StandardGrade: 10-12

AP 44 Honors Horticulture 2***

This honors course extends the Standard Course of Study in Horticulture to a higher, more challenging level. Topics discussed in this course include greenhouse plant production, bedding plant production, watering systems, light effects, basic landscape designs, lawn and turf grass management, career planning, and leadership/personal development. Students are expected to conduct research and write a research paper.

Pre-requisite: Horticulture 1

Credit: 1Type: HonorsGrade: 10-12

AP42 Horticulture 2 – Landscaping***

This course, based on the skill standards for a Certified Landscape Technician, provides hands-on instruction and emphasizes safety skills needed by landscape technicians in the field. Students are instructed in interpreting landscape designs, identifying plants, and planting/maintaining trees, shrubs, and turf. Landscape construction is emphasized in the areas of grading and drainage, irrigation, paver installation, and the use/maintenance of landscape equipment.

Pre-requisite: Horticulture 1

Credit: 1Type: StandardGrade: 10-12

AP44 Horticulture 2 – Turf Grass***

This course provides hands-on instruction and emphasizes eight units of instruction including: fundamentals of soils and pests; environmental issues related to turf management; landscape basics; lawn care and turf production; golf course management; sports turf and turf irrigation; turf equipment and maintenance; and human resources and financial management. Opportunities exist for students to conduct internships or apprenticeships related to landscaping, lawn care, and golf course management.

Pre-requisite: Horticulture 1

Credit: 1Type: StandardGrade: 10-12

____ CTE Agriculture Advanced Studies

This course requires students to work under the guidance of a teacher with expertise in the content of the completer course in collaboration with community members, business representatives, and other school-based personnel. The four parts of the course include writing a research paper, producing a product, developing a portfolio, and delivering a presentation.

Pre-requisite: Two CTE credits in one Career Cluster - One must be a completer course.

Credit: 1Type: StandardGrade: 11-12

____ CTE Hospitality Advanced Studies

Pre-requisite: Two CTE credits in one Career Cluster - One must be a completer course.

Credit: 1Type: StandardGrade: 11-12