Career Readiness Education
Agriculture Careers of the Future
Technology will define the agriculture careers that emerge in the future. Teens looking ahead to a future in agriculture can get started in this high-tech world well before graduating high school. Through virtual career readiness education, teens can explore professions and start learning the technical skills needed for those jobs. A K12-powered Destinations Career Academy offers pathway programs that prepare high school students to enter these cutting-edge jobs.
Emerging Agriculture Careers
What do you think of when you hear the word "agriculture"? Perhaps an image of a farm comes to mind—cows, crops, and country roads. While agriculture certainly can be all those things, hidden behind that scene is a vast world (and history) of technology. Agriculture is the backbone of modern civilization and technology. Since the invention of the cotton gin in 1793, the agriculture industry has transformed our world. With every innovation in agriculture, modern society is able to thrive and grow. From the food on our plate to the clothes on our backs, life wouldn't be the same without the agricultural industry. Every day, farmers, food scientists, conservationists, and countless others work to find sustainable solutions to keep up with our always-evolving world.
As the world becomes more and more digital, agricultural tools and businesses have adapted as well. From utilizing drones to monitor crops to producing better plants with the help of biotechnology, innovation has created new occupations for this thriving industry. According to Future Farmers of America, these five agriculture careers were predicted to be the fastest-growing in 2020:
- Drone Technologists who operate drones that monitor crops and conditions
- Hydrologists who study and innovate our nation's water systems
- Agriculture Communicators who help market and grow agribusiness
- Food Scientists who use science to improve food production and innovate food products
- Precision Agriculture Technologists who provide support to farmers using technical systems like GPS
These scientific and high-tech jobs are a reflection of the industry itself. Constantly growing, evolving, and innovating, there are always new skills and specialties needed to support agriculture. If your teen wants to prepare for one of the agriculture professions of tomorrow, they can start learning those skills today.
Agriculture Career Paths
Whether your teen wants to work in environmental science or is preparing to take over the family farm, they can make the most of their future by getting a head start in high school. Through a K12-powered Destinations Career Academy, your teen can learn the ins and outs of the agricultural industry while earning their high school diploma. At this career readiness online high school, students explore industries and study a pathway that they are passionate about. Students choose electives and classes that help prepare them to pursue a career or degree after high school. If your teen is interested in getting started in agriculture, Destinations offers three pathways to help them specialize their skills. Each pathway teaches the foundations of agriculture and allows students to explore options available in agriculture.
Agribusiness
At the core, all farms and ranches are businesses. In the Agribusiness Pathway, students will learn what it takes to run a successful business in the industry. Students will start by learning the basic principles of agricultural science, such as crop management. With this background knowledge, students then start learning the business side of the industry. They'll study basic business principles, with a focus on entrepreneurship, and understand how to apply them to different agribusinesses.
Food Processing and Production Pathway
One of the main sectors of agriculture is food production. From produce to poultry, agriculture is responsible for the food we eat. With a heavy emphasis on science and biotechnology, the way our food is produced is evolving into a high-tech industry. In the Food Processing and Production Pathway, students learn the basics of both agriculture and culinary arts. They also dive deep into courses like Agriscience and Food Production, so they can have a deep understanding of the full industry.
Technical Systems Pathway
There's a reason Precision Agriculture Technologist is considered a top emerging career in agriculture. From farms to national parks, nearly every aspect of agriculture needs technical support to operate high-tech machinery. The Technical Systems Pathway teaches students the fundamentals of agriculture and agriscience. With this foundational knowledge, students then learn the technical skills behind machinery. Diving deep into agriculture mechanics, students in this pathway graduate with in-demand skills to help bring farms and ranches into the future.
Getting Started in Agriculture in High School
Destinations Career Academy prepares students for an agriculture path beyond the classroom. Through job shadowing and apprenticeship opportunities*, students can see classroom lessons come alive in the real world. Work-based learning like this is a great way for students to visualize their future and gain deeper insight into potential careers.
The agricultural industry has embraced technology at every level, including in primary and secondary education. Destinations Career Academy is proud to host the first ever virtual Future Farmers of America chapter through Indiana Digital Learning School, powered by K12. With a focus on leadership in the farming industry, this virtual career club integrates technology with traditional farming practices.
Through online career readiness education, Destinations Career Academy can help prepare your teen for high-tech, in-demand agriculture jobs. Learn more about Destinations.
*Opportunities vary by school; please visit your school page or check with your school counselor.
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