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Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Systems

What is the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Systems Career Area?

The Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Systems Career Learning Area relates to the environment, food, and natural resources, including agriculture (including food systems), earth sciences, environmental sciences, fisheries management, forestry, horticulture, water resources, wildlife management, and urban environmental management. The career learning area objectives blend long term needs of people and environmental values so the land will support diverse, productive, and sustainable processes and products.

How to Pursue Education and Training in Agriculture, Food, or Natural Resources

The Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources industries are in need of well-rounded and qualified individuals to lead the state and nation in responsibly managing food production and natural resources utilization. Agriculture has a variety and abundance of careers that fit within nine career focus areas. Careers may involve using advanced equipment, creating new hybrid seeds, raising animals, managing people, educating the public, or designing new products and packaging. The industry of agriculture can open up a world of possibilities, and the demand for professionals in every agricultural area is high.

Students in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources learn and practice skills that prepare them for diverse post-high school education and training opportunities, including direct employment, apprenticeships, and two-year, four-year college, and graduate programs.

The career area is organized into nine career pathways:

  • Agribusiness systems
  • Animal systems
  • Biotechnology systems
  • Environmental service systems
  • Food products and processing systems
  • Natural resources systems
  • Plant/Agronomy/Horticulture systems
  • Power, structural and technical systems
  • Agriculture Education

For more information, please contact Reynold Gardner.

Oregon Resources

National Resources

Statewide Natural Resource/Forestry Program Resources

The Statewide Natural Resource/Forestry Program of Study is within the renewal cycle for the 2022-2023 school year and all Programs of Study will be submitted within the ODE Data System by June 30, 2023. The guidance/training on Program of Study renewal will take place with Reynold Gardner at the following webinars/meetings:

Webinar/Element 1 - Standards and Content (October 14, 2022 - ONREA Fall Conference)

Webinar/Element 2 - Alignment and Articulation Visual (December 14, 2022 - OFRI Workshop at Silverton)

Webinar/Element 3 - Accountability, Data, Assessment, Work-Based Learning (March 7, 2023)

Webinar/Element 4 - Student Support Services (May 9, 2023)

Webinar/Elements 5-6 - Professional Development and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (June 6, 2023)

Regional Coordinator Approval, Signatures/Submission (June 30, 2023)

Playlist for all webinar videos

Zoom links for the respective meetings will be shared with the CTE Regional Coordinators and the Natural Resource/Forestry email listserv.