Agricultural Education is a systematic program of instruction available to students desiring to learn about the science, business and technology of plant and animal production and/or about the environmental and natural resources systems.
Agricultural Education prepares students for successful careers and a lifetime of informed choices in the global agriculture, food, fiber and natural resources systems. Agricultural Education prepares students for more than 300 careers in the agricultural industry including production, financing, processing, marketing and distribution of agricultural products. Agricultural Education develops leaders for the vast network of supporting careers that provide the supplies, services, management and conservation of our natural resource systems.
The Agricultural Education program is built on the three core areas of classroom and laboratory instruction, supervised agricultural experience programs and FFA student organization activities. The quality Agricultural Education program is designed for delivery through a balance of these three core educational strategies:
- Classroom/Laboratory Instruction – Quality instruction in and about agriculture that utilizes a “learning by doing” philosophy. Agricultural Education is an applied science that incorporates, math, reading, social studies and physical, chemical and biological sciences into each course.
- Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) Programs – Students put knowledge and theory to use through relevant, experiential, agricultural learning projects. While completing an SAE project, students learn to apply the concepts and principles taught in their agriculture classes to real-world problems and scenarios.
- FFA Student Organization Opportunities – FFA activities are an integral part of the Agricultural Education program in which students experience numerous opportunities for developing premier leadership, personal growth and career success.
The major program outcomes for students enrolled in an Agricultural Education program are:
- Opportunity to explore career options available in agriculture-related fields and to assist them in planning for a future career.
- Technical skills training for success in an agriculture-related career.
- Connectivity of school-based instruction with work-based learning.
- Leadership and personal development training needed to succeed in an agriculture-related career including teamwork, problem solving and communications.
- Competitive advantage for students to succeed in an international economy.
- Commitment to community development and service through projects that require interaction with parents, agribusiness leaders and other community organizations.
- Development of skills necessary for lifelong learning in agriculture leading to career advancement and success.
CAREER CLUSTER ALIGNMENT
Agricultural Education includes curriculum offerings for students in grades 7 through 12. Agricultural Education is designed to provide students with appropriate, comprehensive preparation for career and post-secondary education in the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Careers Cluster. All Agricultural Education courses are contained in the following five career pathways:
- Agribusiness Systems
- Animal Systems
- Natural Resources Systems
- Plant Systems
- Power, Structural and Technical Systems
FFA
The FFA is a national organization of Agricultural Education students. FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The opportunities that are available for FFA members include:
- Career Development Events – FFA members earn recognition by utilizing their classroom and laboratory knowledge in team and individual events.
- Degree Programs – FFA members advance in the organization by meeting rigorous standards to obtain degrees.
- Proficiency Awards – Members are recognized for success in their respective Supervised Agricultural Experience Program.
- Scholarships – FFA awards students over two million dollars annually in college scholarships.
- Personal Growth Conferences – Teamwork and personal growth conferences are held each summer at the North Carolina FFA Center.
- Leadership Conferences and Conventions – FFA conducts events throughout the year that promote premier leadership, personal growth and career success.
- Service Activities – Students are engaged in numerous projects and activities to serve communities throughout North Carolina.
For more information on FFA, click here.
