High School Ag Ed Is

What is Agricultural Education in Secondary Schools?
       Agriculture is a broad-spectrum industry with a diversity of career and job opportunities. Only a small percentage of those people working in agricultural industry are involved in production agriculture. The rest work in agribusiness, communications, science, government, education, processing and distribution, marketing and sales, as well as other occupations that serve the farmer or the total agricultural industry.
      Based upon the above information, instructional programs have been clustered to deliver instruction that will provide students with a wide range of opportunities for entry-level employment or further education. New and emerging occupations in biotechnology, microtechnology, electronic and satellite technology in agricultural mechanics, and integrated financial management will necessitate a sound foundation in agriculture at the secondary level. As these new occupational areas and others develop and labor needs are demonstrated, additional program and course descriptions will be developed. A regional delivery system should offer training for occupations as determined by employment opportunities and the needs of the students.
     There are five career clusters (or pathways) for Illinois agricultural education: