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Agriculture & Natural Resources
Is This Pathway right for you?
Pathway Overview
Agriculture is California’s most important economic industry and careers in the Agriculture and Natural Resources are many and varied. They include people who manage the turf at a municipal golf courses, operate avocado ranches, or work as fish and game wardens. Employees in this industry might work in a lab, on a farm, ranch, dairy, orchard, greenhouse, plant nursery, or in a veterinarian office. For careers that grow, this is the place to be.
Explore this pathway:
Is a career in Agriculture & Natural Resources right for you?
• Are you interested in the relationship between humans, the environment and natural resources?
• Do you like to develop, produce and maintain nursery, landscaping, and floral industry – related products?
• Do you like to diagnose, test, and repair large equipment using complex technology?
• Do you prefer practical, hands – on problems and solutions?
3 Main Points
1. Agriculture is a major industry in California, employing 2.5 million people.
2. In the next 20 years, there will be tremendous growth in water/waste – water technology jobs.
3. There are 5 associate degree tracks in agriculture: Agriculture Business, Plant Science, Animal Science, Agriculture Mechanics, and Natural Resources.
Important Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Cultural Competence
• Leadership
• Work Ethic
• Ability To Learn
• Critical Thinking
• Communication
Some Food for Thought About Careers
This short video is packed with great facts about the agriculture industry, including some impressive statistics about job availability and growth. The snappy graphics and short length (2:09) make this video a must see for anyone interested in a future in agriculture.
Careers in Agriculture
Agriculture accounts for $300 billion of the California’s economy employs 2.5 million people in over 800 different positions. Watch this video to find out about the potential for careers in agriculture in California.
NEXT UP: Good To Know TAKE ACTION
Training Today's Workforce in Agriculture, Water, and Environmental Technology
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Centers of Excellence Wine/Viticulture Occupations in California Report
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Doing What Matters for Agriculture
As part of the Doing What Matters framework, the Agriculture, Water, and Environmental Technology Sector works to ensure the economic viability of California’s agriculture and natural resources industry while maintaining our environmental integrity, especially in the area of water our most precious resource.
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California Agricultural Education
Information for students interested and involved in Agricultural Education, with a history of agriculture in California as well as information on agricultural programs and grants available to California students.
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Agriculture Value Chain by the Centers of Excellence
Based on research of California employers, the estimated combined growth of occupations in the agriculture value chain over the next five years could exceed 180,000 jobs. See page 12 for California jobs and wages.
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