Career Cluster: Agriculture, Food, and Natural ResourcesNebraska Career Education Model

Preparation for a Career in this Cluster Includes...

This diverse Career Cluster prepares learners for careers in the planning, implementation, production, manage-ment, processing and/or marketing of agricultural commodities and services, including food, fiber, wood products, natural resources, horticulture, and other plant and animal products. It also includes related profes-sional, technical, and educational services.

Pathway DescriptionsAgribusiness Systems workers use technology to coordinate all activi-ties that contribute to production, processing, marketing, distribution, financing, and development of agricultural commodities.

Animal Systems workers study genetics, nutrition, reproduction, growth, and development of food and companion animals. They inspect and grade livestock food products, purchase livestock, or work in sales or marketing.

Environmental Service Systems workers are involved in pollution control, recy-cling, waste disposal, and public health. They conduct hazardous-waste manage-ment studies, analysis, and research environmental projects.

Food Products and Processing Systems workers discover new food sources, analyze and develop ways to process, preserve, package or store food. They cre-ate new food products and inspect food-processing to ensure sanitation, safety, quality, and waste management standards are met.

Natural Resources Systems workers help to develop, maintain, and manage the forest and natural environment. Conservation scientists and foresters manage, develop, and help protect these natural resources.

Plant Systems workers develop ways to improve the nutritional value and aes-thetic of plants and quality of seeds. They use genetic engineering to develop pest and drought resistant plants helping producers while conserving natural re-sources and maintaining the environment.

Power, Structural, and Technical Systems workers apply knowledge of engineer-ing, hydraulics, pneumatics, electronics, power, structures, and controls to the field of agriculture. They develop conservation of soil and water to improve the processing of agricultural products.

Nebraska Career Education CourseworkIntro to Agriculture, Food, & Natural ResourcesAgri-BusinessAnimal SciencePlant ScienceLeadership & Human RelationsVeterinary ScienceBiotechnologyFood ScienceNatural ResourcesHorticultureLandscaping/Nursery/Turf ManagementAgriculture Mechanics & Technology

Extended LearningFFASkillsUSADECASupervised Agricultural Experience4-HStart your own business

Job shadow professionalsParticipate in internshipsSecure part-time employmentVolunteer in this career areaFor additional Career Cluster Information visit: www.nebraskacareerconnections.org.

Postsecondary Options: Agriculture, Food, and Natural ResourcesStudents preparing for a career in the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Career Cluster have a variety of postsecondary options. Education and training can be obtained through on-the-job training, technical colleges, two-year community colleges, four-year colleges/universities, and apprenticeship programs. They can enter programs leading to a certificate or a degree at the associate, baccalaureate, or advanced degree level. The table below shows examples of postsecondary Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources programs of study organized by pathway.

Matt KreifelsAgriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Career Field Specialist

Nebraska Department of Education301 Centennial Mall SouthLincoln, NE 68509

Phone: 402-471-2451Email: matt.kreifels@nebraska.govWeb: www.neaged.org

For additional information on the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Career Cluster please contact:

High School DiplomaOn-the-Job Training

Certificate/License Associate’s Degree Bachelor’s Degree Master’s/DoctoralProfessional Degree

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Electrician ApprenticeshipPlumbing ApprenticeshipWelding Apprenticeship

Parts Distribution and ManagementParts/Sales and Management

Agri-TechnologyFarm MechanicsIrrigation TechnologyJohn Deere Ag TechnicianMechanized Agriculture

Agricultural OperationsMechanized MarketingMechanized ScienceMechanized Systems ManagementProcessing Operations

Agricultural and Biological Systems EngineeringMechanized SystemsManagement

Farm and Ranch Workers Agriculture Contact Provider Agribusiness ManagementAgribusiness Operations TechnologyAgricultureAgri-CommunicationsFarm and Ranch Business Management

Agricultural EconomicsAgribusinessAgricultural EducationAgricultural JournalismHospitality Restaurant and Tourism ManagementProfessional Golf Management

Agricultural EconomicsAgricultureLeadership EducationStatistics

Animal CaretakersFeed Sales

Ag Dairy TechnicianBeef Quality Assurance ProgramLivestock ProductionPork Quality Assurance Program

Animal ScienceEquine Industry ManagementLivestock Industry ManagementSwine ManagementVeterinary Technology

Animal ScienceBiochemistryGrazing Livestock SystemsVeterinary ScienceVeterinary Technologist

Animal Science (Nutrition, Genetics, or Physiology Focus)BiochemistryIntegrative Biomedical SciencesVeterinary Medicine

Refuse and RecyclableMaterial Collection

Environmental ScienceLaboratory Science Technology

Aquatic EcologyConservation BiologyEnvironmental Soil ScienceEnvironmental StudiesHabitat ManagementInsect Science

EntomologyNatural Resource Sciences

Butchers and Meat CuttersMeat ProcessingSlaughter and Meat Packer

Agriculture Dairy TechnicianCommercial Plant ProductionFood Handlers PermitQuality Control

AgronomyDiversified AgricultureDietary ManagementFood Science and TechnologyQuality Control

AgronomyAnimal ScienceFood Science and TechnologyHospitality, Restaurant and Tourism ManagementMechanized Systems Management

AgronomyAnimal Science (Meat Science Focus)Food Science and TechnologyNutrition

Natural Resources SystemsSoil and Water ConservationWildlife Management

Environmental Soil SciencesEnvironmental StudiesFisheries and WildlifeGrassland Ecology/ManagementNatural Resources and Environmental EconomicsWater Science

Horticulture and ForestryNatural Resource Sciences

Nursery and Greenhouse WorkersSeed SalesTree Trimmers and Pruners

Commercial Horticulture AgronomyCommercial HorticultureCrop ProductionForestryLandscape/NurserySport Turf Technology

AgronomyBiochemistryDiversified Agriculture StudiesGrazing Livestock SystemsHorticultureInsect SciencePlant Protection Sciences

AgricultureAgronomyBiochemistryEntomologyHorticultureHorticulture and Forestry