1. A Career In Agriculture Education
Chapter 1

2. Chapter Objectives: Define Agriculture Education and discuss its scope
Describe the meaning and importance of teaching
Identify the roles and responsibilities of agriculture teachers
Explain teaching as a profession
Including professionalism and the role of ethics
Relate teaching agriculture to the total school community

3. What is Agriculture Education
Agriculture education is a program of instruction in and about agriculture and related subjects.
Most commonly offered in secondary schools of the United States
Some elementary and middle schools and some postsecondary institutes/community colleges also offer it
Subjects can include:
Plant Production Animal Production
Biological and Physical Sciences - Horticulture
Natural Resources & Environmental Tech. - Mechanics
Forestry Food Production/Distribution

4. Career Cluster in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
The National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium has identified 16 career clusters
Careers and instructional areas associated with:
Production
Processing
Marketing
Distribution
Financing
Development
Agriculture Commodities and Resources such as:
Food
Fiber
Wood products
Natural resources
Plant products and resources
Animal products and resources

5. Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
Plant Systems
Agronomy, horticulture, forestry, turf, viticulture, and soils
Animal Systems
Large and small animals, wildlife animals, research animals and others
Power, Structural and Technical Systems
Power, structures, controls, hydraulics, electronics, pneumatics and the like
Natural Resources Systems
Habitat conservation, mining, fisheries, soil conservation, etc.
Environmental Service Systems
Water and air quality, solid waste management, pollution prevention, hazardous waste management, sanitation and the like
Agribusiness Systems
Agriculture sales and service, entrepreneurship, management and the like
Food Products and Processing Systems
Processing, preserving, packaging, and distributing foods.

6. Teachers, Students and Programs
Since 1994, a national study of agriculture education has been completed every five years
Provided considerable insight into agriculture education programs, students, and teachers
In 2004, 1, 098, 233 secondary students were enrolled in agriculture education classes offered by
10,711 teachers in
7262 schools
Enrollment per teachers has INCREASED in the last decade as funding to support instruction has DECLINED.
Greater number of students take ag classes in schools with alternative scheduling. Further, the number of students per teacher is greater in schools with alternative scheduling.

7. Selected Findings of A National Study of Agriculture Education
1994
2004
One teacher programs
Student Enrollment
Average enrollment per program
Enrollment per teacher (OTP)
Enrollment with more than 1 teacher
Alternative Scheduling – /
Fund budget per teacher for instr. res.
Fund budget as per student
74.7%
732, 600
99.14
75.6 students
59.6 students
40.69 (1999)
$7231
$52 (1999)
58%
1, 098, 233
150.19
108.4 students
92.5 students
33.75
$4561
$37

8. Teaching Teach Teacher Teaching
Guide or cause others to learn something
Instruct others using various strategies, such as examples and experiences
Includes planning and evaluating the educational process
Providing leadership
Teacher
Anyone who teaches
An individual whose occupation is to teach
50 million people throughout the world
Teaching
Art and science of directing the learning process
Agriculture teacher is a teacher of agriculture or related subjects
Roles in teaching agriculture education are many and diverse
Active role that involves many functions in helping others learn. Can occur in a wide range of environments, such as in the pasture of a ranch, at a bench in the greenhouse or a school classroom.

9. Importance of Teaching with emphasis on Agriculture Education
It promotes overall development of youth and adults for productive and successful lives
It helps assure that people have sufficient ag literacy to be good consumers and citizens
It promotes agriculture practices to assure sufficient food and fiber supply to meet the needs of an increasing human population
It promotes safe food handling and preparation practices
It develops knowledge and skills needed to enter and advance in an ag or other related career
It provides preparation for students to pursue education in agriculture areas beyond high school
It promotes the use of sustainable resource practice in ag, horticulture, forestry, and other areas
It provides related education to promote achievement in science, mathematics, reading, etc.
It helps individuals enjoy a higher standard of living
It promotes an appreciation for the environment and its protection
It promotes wise use of natural resources to achieve human goals

10. Roles and Responsibilities of Agriculture Teachers
Being a school team member
Planning and developing a program
Preparing to teach classes
Delivering instructions
Evaluating student progress
Advising student organizations
Supervising student experiences
Managing resources
Relating to publics
Practicing citizenship

11. Teaching As A Profession
An occupation that requires a long, specific program of preparation in higher education and uses a code of ethics to guide the conduct of individuals in the profession
Professional Code of Ethics
A statement of ideals, principles, and standards related to the conduct of individuals within a profession
Creed
A statement of general beliefs of individuals in a profession or organization

12. Ag Teacher’s Creed
I am an agricultural educator by choice and not by chance.
I believe in American agriculture; I dedicate my life to its development and the advancement of its people.
I will strive to set before my students by my deeds and actions the highest standards of citizenship for the community, state and nation.
I will endeavor to develop professionally through study, travel and exploration.
I will not knowingly wrong my fellow teachers. I will defend them as far as honesty will permit.
I will work for the advancement of agricultural education and I will defend it in my community, state and nation.
I realize that I am a part of the school system. I will work in harmony with school authorities and other teachers of the school.
My love for youth will spur me on to impart something from my life that will help make for each of my students a full and happy future.

13. Professional Status Preparation Participation Continuing education
Deameanor

14. The School Community
Agriculture education is part of a larger school community. It is not carried out in isolation from other classes, teachers, and students. A school community performs best when all members work together as a team to attain student achievement goals.
Being supportive of the entire school program helps build support for agriculture education. School personnel, as well as community stakeholders, appreciate an agriculture teacher who embraces all aspects of the school community, including extracurricular activities.

15. Thank you
Dulce De Los Santos
&
Eutimio Alaniz Jr.