Agribusiness Pathway
Is your child looking to take the family farm to the next level? A city kid looking for a rural lifestyle and the chance to grow their own food? An environmentalist who’s always prodding your family to reduce, reuse, and recycle? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, they may be right for a career in agribusiness!
Agribusiness is the business of agriculture and its products. Farmers and ranchers take huge financial risks, manage big budgets, and invest in the latest agricultural technology. They’re supported by agricultural engineers who leverage technology to improve crop yields and herd health, as well as agricultural and food technicians and scientists, who create new food products and develop new and better ways to grow, process, package, and deliver them.
For those who pursue the Agribusiness pathway, we offer a rigorous, project-based learning curriculum designed to hone their problem-solving, communication, critical thinking, and team collaboration skills. Students tackle real-world problems, such as writing a blog post for a university agriculture extension office on a crop of their choosing, creating a marketing plan for a new agricultural product, and working with a team to spearhead an agricultural project in their own community. They’ll be guided by experienced agribusiness professionals and receive training in agriscience, agribusiness, and entrepreneurship.
The Stride Career Prep curriculum is designed to give students the skills necessary to embark on a career as a farmer, rancher, or agriculture and food science technician right after high school graduation—without the hassle or expense of additional training or degrees. We also jumpstart their job search by helping them create a professional résumé, cover letter, and profile on Tallo—the leading professional networking platform for Gen Z. Plus, you connect virtually to working professionals in the agribusiness field through Nepris.*
Our Agribusiness Curriculum in Detail
All of our students take the core courses required for high school graduation in their state. The chart below shows the additional classes students take as part of the Agribusiness Pathway, and the industry-recognized certification exams they can prepare to take. You can see the rest of the curriculum by viewing the full course list.
Great News
Stride Career Prep programs with the Agribusiness Pathway are available in our tuition-free Stride K12-powered, fully accredited, public online schools in the following states: Arkansas, Indiana, Utah.
Don’t see your state? There are also tuition-free options in related fields like the Food Processing and Production Pathway or the Technical Systems Pathway!
Occupational Spotlight
Agriculture and Food Science Technician
Agricultural and food science technicians assist agricultural and food scientists by performing duties such as measuring and analyzing the quality of food and agricultural products. Agricultural science technicians focus on improving the productivity of farm animals and crops. They collect, prepare, analyze, and store crop or animal samples to determine the presence of diseases or other quality or safety issues. They may measure ingredients used in animal feed and prepare and operate laboratory equipment. Food science technicians focus on improving food production and processing, maximizing efficiency and ensuring quality and safety. They collect and prepare samples of food products, additives, and packaging to ensure they meet quality and safety standards; they may also measure chemical properties of food to determine ingredients and formulas.
2020 Median Starting Starting Salary1
$37,234
Projected New Jobs, 2019-20292
1,000
Expected Percentage Growth in No. of Jobs, 2019-20292
4% (average)
Typical Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or GED, plus significant on-the-job training; courses in agriscience are helpful
Agriculture and Food Scientist
Agricultural and food scientists conduct research and experiments to improve the productivity and sustainability of field crops and farm animals; create new food products; and develop new and better ways to grow, process, package, and deliver them. Most agriculture and food scientists focus on a particularly subspeciality, such as improving the productivity and health of domestic farm animals (animal scientists); the productivity, management, and conservation of high-quality soil (soil scientists); increasing crop yields and controlling pests and weeds (plant scientists); or food processing, preserving, packaging and distribution techniques (food scientists and technologists).
2020 Median Starting Starting Salary1
$56,358 (food scientist and technologist)
Projected New Jobs, 2019-20292
2,000
Expected Percentage Growth in No. of Jobs, 2019-20292
6% (faster than average)
Typical Entry-Level Education
Bachelor’s degree
Agricultural Engineer
Agricultural engineers apply engineering solutions to the challenges facing farmers, ranchers, aquaculturists (fish farmers), and others in the food supply chain. They work on a wide variety of projects. Some agricultural engineers work to develop climate control systems that increase the comfort and productivity of livestock whereas others work to increase the storage capacity and efficiency of refrigeration. Many agricultural engineers attempt to develop better solutions for animal waste disposal. Those with computer programming skills work to integrate artificial intelligence and geospatial systems into agriculture. For example, they may work to improve efficiency in fertilizer application or to automate harvesting systems.
2020 Median Starting Starting Salary1
$80,720
Projected New Jobs, 2019-20292
0
Expected Percentage Growth in No. of Jobs, 2019-20292
2% (slower than average)
Typical Entry-Level Education
Bachelor’s degree
Environmental Engineer
Environmental engineers combine engineering, soil science, biology, and chemistry to develop solutions to environmental problems. These problems can include unsafe drinking water, air pollution, hazardous waste disposal, automobile and power plant emissions, and more. They might work as part of a team to design a wastewater treatment system or a dam, conduct an environmental impact assessment of a proposed construction project, or inspect facilities or construction sites for compliance with environmental regulations.
2020 Median Starting Starting Salary1
$85,461
Projected New Jobs, 2019-20292
1,700
Expected Percentage Growth in No. of Jobs, 2019-20292
3% (average)
Typical Entry-Level Education
Bachelor’s degree
Environmental Science and Protection Technician
Environmental science and protection technicians monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution and contamination, including those affecting public health. This is a broad profession, with many subspecialties. Some environmental science and protection technicians may work for environmental nonprofits or state or local governments, taking water and soil samples to test for contamination. Others might work for industrial or manufacturing workplaces, ensuring workers are not exposed to dangerous levels of chemicals or radiation. Still others might consult for construction and other companies, planning the cleanup of contaminated sites or limiting negative environmental impacts from construction.
2020 Median Starting Starting Salary1
$48,293
Projected New Jobs, 2019-20292
2,900
Expected Percentage Growth in No. of Jobs, 2019-20292
8% (much faster than average)
Typical Entry-Level Education
Bachelor’s degree, although some technicians only have associate’s degrees or high school diplomas
Environmental Scientist/Specialist
Environmental scientists and specialists protect the environment and human health. They collect and analyze samples of air, soil, water, food, and other materials and perform analyses to advise on environmental issues, hazards, and risks to ecosystems and human health. They develop plans to prevent, control, or mitigate environmental hazards. Many environmental scientists and specialists work to reclaim lands and waterways that have been contaminated by pollution. Others assess the risks that new construction projects pose to the environment and make recommendations on how to minimize their environmental impact. Environmental scientists and specialists may research and consult on manufacturing practices, such as advising against the use of chemicals known to harm the environment.
2020 Median Starting Starting Salary1
$61,003
Projected New Jobs, 2019-20292
7,100
Expected Percentage Growth in No. of Jobs, 2019-20292
8% (much faster than average)
Typical Entry-Level Education
Bachelor’s degree
Farmer/Rancher
Farmers grow crops (e.g., corn, wheat, soybeans) to serve as food for humans or animals or, occasionally, for other purposes (such as for making ethanol, an additive to gasoline). Ranchers raise cattle or other animals for meat. Many farmers employ technology through precision agriculture to guide irrigation and other measures to increase crop yields, and ranchers use technology via data-driven veterinary care, careful breeding for genetic diversity, and other herd management techniques to improve yields. Farmers and ranchers are also skilled financial experts: overseeing financial operations often surpassing $1 million; controlling costs for seed, animal feed, irrigation, high-tech equipment, and other agriculture inputs; and constantly monitoring financial markets to get the best possible price for their product.
2020 Median Starting Starting Salary1
$71,160
Projected New Jobs, 2019-20292
-61,600
Expected Percentage Growth in No. of Jobs, 2019-20292
-6% (decline)
Typical Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or equivalent, plus significant on-the-job training; increasingly, farmers and ranchers are earning bachelor’s or associate’s degrees in agricultural science
Farm Labor Contractor
Farm Labor Contractors recruit and hire seasonal or temporary agricultural laborers. They may also transport, house, and provide meals for workers.
2020 Median Starting Starting Salary1
$62,060
Projected New Jobs, 2019-20292
100
Expected Percentage Growth in No. of Jobs, 2019-20292
10% (much faster than average)
Typical Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or GED; knowledge of agribusiness and ability to speak some Spanish (since many seasonal or temporary agricultural laborers are Spanish-speaking) are pluses
FAQs
What classes should you take in high school or college to gain the skills needed to help a family farm survive?
Today’s farmers and ranchers are the backbone of rural communities—and the leading entrepreneurs in those communities. They need to be:
Tech-savvy. Farmers and ranchers need to stay informed about the latest developments in precision agriculture, farm machinery, veterinary care, herbicides, and pesticides, and leverage this technology to increase crop yields and/or the health and management of herds.
Product developers and marketers. Farmers and ranchers need to be constantly monitoring market trends and climatic conditions and adjusting their product mix (or even introducing new products) to maximize profits and diversify revenue sources. They might switch to a new variety of apples or a new breed of chickens, or grow a specialty crop to supply a local restaurant. Or they might open their farm to the public for farm stays, “U-pick” weekends, or visits to a petting zoo. They might even operate an agricultural cooperative, with members of the community buying a “share” of their produce. All of this requires knowledge about market positioning, sales, and promotions.
Financially savvy. Farmers and ranchers typically borrow money to purchase seed, equipment, and animals—and many farms are multi-million-dollar businesses! So, farmers and ranchers must be savvy about borrowing the right amount of money at the lowest possible financing charge, and they must manage cash flows to be able to make required payments. They must also make wise investing and pricing decisions.
So, if your student is interested in pursuing a career as a farmer or a rancher, they need to understand both the science and the business of agriculture. They can take classes in agricultural science, agribusiness, and entrepreneurship. They can also participate in clubs such as 4-H and FFA (formerly known as Future Farmers of America). Our Agribusiness Pathway incorporates classes in agriscience, agribusiness, and entrepreneurship.
Is it useful to get a college degree in agricultural/dairy/veterinary/soil science if you want to be a farmer or a rancher?
While aspiring farmers or ranchers may find it useful to get a college degree in agricultural science or a related field, it is not absolutely necessary. The most important preparation is to work on a farm and to try to get exposure to the business side of running a farm. Taking agricultural science classes at a vo-tech high school or online is also important, as is participating in organizations like 4-H and FFA.
Our Agribusiness Pathway incorporates classes in agriscience, agribusiness, and entrepreneurship.
Learn more about course offerings in the other Stride Career Prep career fields.
Hear How Stride Career Prep Can Work for Your Teen
Thinking this might be a good fit for your student and interested in learning more from current Stride Career Prep students, families, and teachers? Submit questions to people that experience our program firsthand and get direct answers!
1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. Website last modified date: Wednesday, September 1, 2020.
2Burning Glass Labor Insights, accessed October 16, 2020. Data is median salary for job postings with that job title, with typical minimum education requirements for that job title (as shown in chart on this page) and 0-2 years of experience, from October 1, 2019, to September 20, 2020.
*Opportunities vary by school; please visit your school page or check with your school counselor.
**Stride Career Prep is a program for grades 9–12. At some schools, career exploration is offered in middle school.
†Many Microsoft®️ Office certificates can be earned after completing one course. Other certificates require more classes to be better prepared, and students who participate in the program for at least two years will have further preparation for certification testing.
