This career cluster involves the production, processing, marketing, distribution, financing, and development of agricultural commodities and resources including food, fiber, wood products, natural resources, horticulture, and other plant and animal products/resources.

Career Pathways include:

1. Agribusiness Systems
Occupations involved in the coordination of all activities that contribute to the production, processing, marketing, distribution, financing and development of agricultural commodities, plant and animal products, and other natural resources.

2. Animal Systems
Occupations related to the raising and caring of animals and developing more efficient ways of producing and processing meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products. Workers study genetics, nutrition, reproduction, growth and care of domesticated farm animals. Includes workers who provide medical service to farm and non-farm animals.

3. Environmental Service Systems
Occupations involved in water and air pollution control, recycling, waste disposal and public health issues. Work includes hazardous-waste management, research, and quality control.

4. Food Products and Processing Systems
Occupations involved in bulk food production, the discovery of new food sources, the analysis of food content, and the development of ways to process, preserve, package or store food according to consumer needs, and. Includes those who monitor compliance with industry and government regulations.

5. Natural Resources Systems
Occupations that develop, use, maintain, manage, and analyze natural resources. Includes catching and trapping various types of marine life. Work might relate to recreation, wildlife, conservation, mining, logging, or oil drilling.

6. Plant Systems
Occupations related to growing food, feed, and fiber crops, and the study of plants and their growth to help producers meet consumer demand while conserving natural resources and maintaining the environment. Work might include nutritional analysis or genetic engineering.

7. Power, Structural and Technical Systems
Workers apply knowledge of engineering, hydraulics, pneumatics, electronics, power, structures, and controls to the field of agriculture. They design agricultural structures as well as machinery and equipment.

Examples of Jobs in this cluster:

Agricultural Equipment Operators
Drive and control farm equipment, like tractors, balers, or tillers.

Agricultural Graders and Sorters
Sort or classify raw food or other agricultural products.

Agricultural Inspectors
Inspect agricultural products and equipment to make sure they comply with health and safety laws.

Agricultural and Food Science Technicians
Work to make sure farms are productive and the food produced on them is safe.

Animal Breeders
Breed animals according to certain genetic traits.

Animal Scientists
Conduct research on domestic farm animals.

Animal Trainers
Train animals for riding, harnessing, performance, obedience, or service.

Buyers and Purchasing Agents of Farm Products
Buy products from farms, either to process further, or to sell to another business.

College Agricultural Sciences Teachers
Teach agriculture courses at the college level.

College Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers
Teach college-level courses in forestry and conservation.

Commercial Fishers
Use equipment to catch fish or other aquatic animals.

Conservation Scientists
Manage and protect natural resources like soil, forests, and water.

Continuous Mining Machine Operators
Operate mining machines that rip materials from the mine face and load them onto conveyors.

Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas
Operate a variety of drills during mineral exploration or soil testing.

Environmental Engineering Technicians
Apply principles of environmental engineering to operate and test equipment that is used to help the environment.

Environmental Engineers
Design ways to prevent and control pollution.

Explosives Workers
Set off explosives to demolish structures or rock.

Extraction Worker Helpers
Perform basic duties at a mining site.

Fallers
Use axes or chainsaws to cut down trees.

Farm Animal Caretakers
Take care of farm, ranch, or water animals.

Farm Labor Contractors
Recruit and hire seasonal or temporary farm workers.

Farm and Home Management Advisors
Advise or instruct people in farming or home economics activities.

Farmers and Ranchers
Coordinate the duties on farms, ranches, greenhouses, and other agricultural businesses.

Farmworkers and Laborers
Plant or harvest vegetables, fruits, plants, or other crops.

Fish and Game Wardens
Patrol certain areas to prevent people from breaking fishing or gaming laws.

Food Scientists
Use chemistry, microbiology, engineering, and other sciences to analyze foods.

Forest and Conservation Technicians
Measure and improve the quality of forests, including preventing forest fires.

Forest and Conservation Workers
Perform manual labor to maintain or protect forests, woodlands, wetlands, or rangelands.

Foresters
Manage forested lands for economic, recreational, and conservation purposes.

Garbage and Recyclable Material Collectors
Collect garbage or recyclables from containers and put them into a truck.

Gas Plant Operators
Distribute or process gas for utility companies.

Geological and Petroleum Technicians
Assist scientists in exploring and extracting natural resources, such as minerals, oils, and natural gas.

Hunters and Trappers
Hunt and trap wild animals.

Log Graders and Scalers
Estimate how much marketable value a log has.

Logging Equipment Operators
Drive tractors or other equipment to stack logs, pull stumps, or clear brush.

Mine Cutting Machine Operators
Operate machinery to cut along the surfaces of mines or quarries.

Mining Roof Bolters
Operate machinery to install roof support bolts in an underground mine.

Mining and Geological Engineers
Study land for possible mining sites, and determine whether conditions are safe for mining.

Nonfarm Animal Caretakers
Feed, water, groom, bathe, and exercise pets and other non-farm animals.

Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
Operate or control nuclear reactors.

Oil and Gas Derrick Operators
Rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud through drill holes.

Oil and Gas Rotary Drill Operators
Set up or operate a variety of drills to remove underground oil or gas.

Oil, Gas, and Mining Service Unit Operators
Operate equipment that services oil or mining operations.

Pest Control Workers
Apply chemical solutions to kill or remove pests from homes or businesses.

Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators
Apply chemicals to lawns or farm crops to kill weeds or pests.

Power Plant Operators
Operate machinery to generate electric power.

Precision Agriculture Technicians
Use specialized technology to improve agricultural processes.

Quarry Rock Splitters
Use tools to separate blocks of stone from a quarry.

Recycling and Reclamation Workers
Prepare and sort material for recycling.

Roustabouts
Assemble and repair oil field equipment.

Soil and Plant Scientists
Research the breeding, production, and management of crops, trees, and plants.

Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers
Directly supervise the work of agricultural, forestry, and fishing workers.

Supervisors of Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers
Supervise the work of landscaping and groundskeeping workers.

Tree Trimmers and Pruners
Cut away dead or extra branches from trees or shrubs.

Underground Mining Loading Machine Operators
Operate machines underground to load coal, ore, or rock onto conveyors.

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators
Operate an entire system of machines to transfer or treat water.

Wellhead Pumpers
Operate power pumps to cause oil or gas to flow from wells.

Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives of Technical or Scientific Products
Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to business, government agencies, or other organizations.

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
Study the characteristics and habitats of animals and wildlife.