The Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources career cluster is about using your love of science, the environment or animals to prepare for careers that involve improving the quality and safety of food, cultivating and preserving our natural resources, and 
caring for animals. Agriculture is Virginia’s largest private industry, with an economic impact of $52 billion each year and providing over 300,000 jobs.
The veterinary medicine field has grown considerably due to advancements in medicine, which are comparable to healthcare for humans. Job positions in this field range from large and companion-animal veterinarians to research veterinarians, who work in laboratories. Environmental engineers will be needed to help deal with environmental laws, such as state and federal regulations regarding emissions from coal-fired power plants. This occupation also should see a wave of retirements, which will increase job opportunities for younger workers. Landscape architect positions are expected to increase due to new commercial, industrial, and residential construction projects, as well as the required maintenance of existing facilities.
Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Career Cluster PDF
Middle School Courses
No Courses at this time
High School Courses
Do You Like To…
- Work with your hands?
- Grow food and plants?
- Problem solve?
- Work mostly outdoors?
- Help people?
Sample Careers
- Ag Engineer
- Farmer
- Ag Lawyer
- Heavy Equipment operator
- Diesel Mechanic
- Small Engine Mechanic
- Golf Course Superintendent
- Greenhouse/Nursery Operator
- Ag Loan Officer
- Food Scientist
- Ag Lobbyist
- Ag Teacher
- Feed/Seed/ Supplies Store Owner/Operator
- Rancher
- Botanist
- Geneticist
- Soil scientist
- Water Specialist
- Range Management
- Wildlife Management
- Fabrication
High school certifications and licenses and related college majors:
| High School/Industry Certifications | Certificate/License | College Degree Examples |
| Greenhouse Operators Certification | Biology and Microbiology3 | |
| Horticulture Science/Greenhouse Management | Environmental Science | |
| NOCTI Horticulture Landscaping | Agriculture | |
| Plant Pathology | ||
In Demand Careers
| Education Needed | Occupation | Median Salary | Job Growth Over next 10 years | Job Openings Projected over next 10 years |
| High School Diploma | Greenhouse Worker | $24,230 | 1% | 771,000 |
| High School Diploma | Farmers, Ranchers, Agricultural Managers | $71,160 | -1% (Little or no change) | -9,000 |
| High School Diploma | Agricultural Equipment Operators | $30,730 | 2,730 | |
| High School Diploma | Plant and System Operators | $42,530 | 3,143 | |
| Bachelor’s Degree or more | Agricultural and Food Scientists | $65,160 | 7% | 35,600 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or more | Biological Technicians | $40,700 | 1,840 |
Student Leadership Organizations
SkillsUSA empowers its members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens. We improve the quality of our nation’s future skilled workforce through the
development of SkillsUSA Framework skills that include personal, workplace and technical skills grounded in academics.
Work-Based Learning
Work-Based Learning (WBL) is comprised of experiences related to students’ career interests, based on instructional preparation, and undertaken in partnership with local businesses or organizations. WBL enables students to apply classroom instruction in a real-world work environment. Work-Based Learning promotes Career Awareness, Career Exploration, and Career Preparation.
Career Ambassadors
The Career Ambassador Program offers high school seniors an opportunity to represent and share their experiences with career exploration and our CTE programs to prospective students and community supporters through elementary school Career Fairs, middle school Career Clubs, and district-wide events.