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:

Agricultural Business and Management
Agricultural Mechanics and Technology
Horticulture Services Operations and Management
Agricultural Sciences
Natural Resources Conservation
    Course descriptions and suggested sequences for these five career pathways have been developed and be accessed by clicking here:  Career Pathways in Agricultural Education

    Eight components of a quality agricultural education program     have been identified:
    1. A 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