Back to Career Center
Find More
- Career Center»
- Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources»
- Architecture & Construction»
- Arts, A/V Technology & Communications»
- Business Management & Administration»
- Career Center Articles»
- Education & Training»
- Finance»
- Government & Public Administration»
- Health Science»
- Hospitality & Tourism»
- Human Services»
- Information Technology»
- Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security»
- Manufacturing»
- Marketing»
- Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics»
- Transportation, Distribution & Logistics»
- College Center»
- Feature Archive»
- Financial Literacy»
- I Am The Future»
- Virtual Mentor»
Career Cluster
Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
- Do you enjoy working with plants or animals?
- Are you interested in geology, or the study of the earth?
- Do you like to work with your hands?
- Are you passionate about the environment?
- Do you enjoy working outdoors?
- Are you interested in food production?
If you answered “yes” to some of the questions above, you might enjoy a career in agriculture, food, and natural resources career cluster. One of the following jobs might be a great fit for you:
- mining engineer
- aquaculturist
- produce buyer
- food scientist
- logger
- fish and game warden
- landscaper
- greenhouse manager
- farm manager
- animal nutritionist
Cluster Definition
Jobs in the agriculture, food, and natural resources career cluster involve planning, managing, and performing agricultural production, plant and landscaping services, and related professional and technical services; planning, managing, and performing mining and extraction operations; managing and conserving natural resources; performing environmental services; and planning and managing agribusiness and related technical systems.
Career Pathways in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
A career pathway is an area of concentration within a career cluster. Each pathway contains a group of careers requiring similar academic and technical skills as well as similar industry certifications or postsecondary education. The agriculture and natural resources career cluster has seven pathways:
Agribusiness Systems
Jobs in this pathway involve using engineering, equipment, and structures in agriculture. Occupations include:
- agricultural engineer
- machinist
- welder
- recycling technician
- equipment parts manager
- global positioning system technician
Animal Systems
Occupations in this pathway involve the breeding and health of domesticated animals in order to produce meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products. Jobs include:
- aquaculturist
- ranch hand
- animal geneticist
- food processing worker
- animal breeder
- veterinarian
Environmental Service Systems
Occupations in this pathway involve controlling pollution, waste disposal and recycling, and public health. Occupations include:
- safety technician
- pollution control manager
- environmental compliance manager
- health sanitarian
- toxicologist
- water quality manager
Food Products and Processing Systems
Jobs in this pathway involve developing new food products, making sure food products and production methods are safe, and analyzing food content. Jobs include:
- meat cutter/Grader
- food and drug inspector
- produce buyer
- agricultural product inspector
- fiber engineer
Natural Resource Systems
This pathway focuses on developing, managing, and conserving our natural resources, including forest, rangelands, minerals, oil fields, water, parks, and habitats. Jobs include:
- commercial fishery technician
- conservation manager
- forest worker
- mining equipment operator
- geologist
Plant Systems
Jobs in this pathway involve studying plants to ensure that food, fiber, and fuel crops sustain the growing global population. Jobs include:
- soil and water specialist
- forest geneticist
- pest control specialist
- botanist
- golf course groundskeeper
- greenhouse manager
Power, Structural & Technical Systems
Jobs in this pathway involve using engineering, equipment, and structures in agriculture. Occupations include:
- agricultural engineer
- machinist
- welder
- recycling technician
- equipment parts manager
- global positioning system technician
