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:
Horticulture Services Operations and Management
Agricultural Sciences
Natural Resources Conservation Management
Course descriptions and suggested sequences for these five career pathways
have been developed and can be accessed by clicking here:
Career Pathways in Agricultural Education
1-Qualified, Certified and Professional Instructor
2-Student Services
3-Articulated, Sequentially Structured, Total Agricultural Education Program
4-Supervised Agricultural Experience Programs (SAEPs)
5-Active Career and Technical Student Organization (FFA)
6-Facilities and Equipment
7-Active Agricultural Education Advisory Committee
8-Adult Education Program
To learn more about these quality components click here:
Components of Quality Secondary Agricultural Education Programs
If you or anyone in your community are interested in starting an Agricultural Education program at your High School, please contact Mr. Harley Hepner, the Principal Agriculture Consultant at the Illinois State Board of Education for further information:
Harley Hepner
Principal Consultant Agricultural Education
Illinois State Board of Education
100 North First Street
Springfield, IL 62777
Phone: (217) 782-4620
Fax: (217) 782-0710