Career and Technical Education:
Agriculture, Energy, and Natural Resources

Cultivating Resources

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Teacher Organizations | Teacher Preparation and Mentoring | Additional Resources

About the field of Agriculture, Energy, & Natural Resources

Background

Agricultural, Energy, & Natural Resources Education (formerly Agricultural, Food, & Natural Resources; AFNR) prepares individuals for employment in a vast range of science, technology, and business occupations found within the context of food, fiber, and natural resources. Careers in this field include 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 or resources.

Agricultural, Energy, & Natural Resources Education is one of the three original Career and Technical Education (CTE) fields, created in 1917 by the Smith-Hughes legislation. Agricultural, Energy, & Natural Resources Education has evolved in the more than 100 years since its inception as farming classes only for boys to now supporting good paying, highly skilled, and sought after careers for all in food science, biotechnology, agribusiness, and agricultural manufacturing. The student organization for this field, FFA, was formed in 1928 originally as Future Farmers of America. As of 2024, more than 211 districts offer Agricultural, Energy, & Natural Resources programs in Minnesota, including 334 teachers and 42,970 students grades 5-12.

The Cultivating Resources career field on the federal Career Wheel includes two clusters: (a) Agriculture and (b) Energy & Natural Resources.

Licenses for this career field include:
– Broad-based license for the entire field: Agriculture broad-based-010100.
– Careers license for the Agriculture cluster: does not exist yet in Minnesota.
– Careers license for the Energy & Natural Resources cluster: does not exist yet in Minnesota.
– Pathway license for the Conservation & Land Management pathway: Park Services career pathways-400300.

– Cross-cutting career-license for the Digital Technology cluster: Communication Technology careers-300000.
– Cross-cutting careers license for the Management & Entrepreneurship cluster: does not exist yet in Minnesota.
– Cross-cutting career-license for the Marketing & Sales cluster: does not exist yet in Minnesota.

Minnesota is Focused on Cultivating Resources

Minnesota’s leading food products sector sprouted in the state because the industry of agriculture is rooted in our history. From farm to table, Minnesota is a food production and agricultural powerhouse. Minnesota is also committed to developing, building, and promoting sustainable solutions across a swath of industries—including water, solar, wind, and other clean energy technologies. Our state has long been a leader in biofuels, and carbon emissions from Minnesota’s power sector have declined 40 percent in the last ten years as our state transitions to a cleaner energy future.

  • 4th in the Nation for Total Agricultural Exports (USDA, 2024)
  • 1st in Sugar Beets, Oats, Wild Rice, Red Kidney Beans (MDA, 2023)
  • 1st in Turkeys Raised (MDA, 2023)
  • 2nd in Hogs (MDA, 2023)
  • 3rd in Soybeans, Dry Beans, Sunflower (MDA, 2023)
  • 6th in Red Meat, Cheese, Honey (MDA, 2023)
  • 1st in the Region and 5th in the Nation in Sustainability (DEED, 2024)
  • 7th Most Environmentally Friendly State (WalletHub, 2024)

MN Ag & Natural Resources Companies

  • AgriBank
  • Cargill
  • CHS
  • General Mills
  • Hormel
  • Jennie-O Turkey
  • Land O’Lakes
  • Runnings
  • Schwans
  • Xcel Energy

Top in-demand and high-wage careers in AGRICULTURE, ENERGY, & NATUral resources



  • Half of all meat processing jobs pay between $31,045 and $40,257 per year, with 3.5% projected growth in job demand during the next ten years.
  • Half of all agricultural manufacturing jobs pay between $47,792 and $61,381 per year, with 7.7% projected growth in job demand during the next ten years.
  • Half of all food scientist jobs pay between $71,278 and $110,521 per year, with 2.5% projected growth in job demand during the next ten years.
  • Half of all veterinarian jobs pay between $87,218 and $127,125 per year, with 13.1% projected growth in job demand during the next ten years.

Landscaping

Food Scientist

Environmental Engineer

Meat Processor

Water Treatment

Veterinarian

Three Components of Agricultural, Energy, & Natural Resources Education

Courses and Labs

Academic, Rigorous Instruction

Agricultural, Energy, & Natural Resources Education prepares students for high wage, high skill, and in demand jobs and careers in food, fiber, and natural resources from animals and plants to business and power systems. Agriculture integrates science, math, economics, and even art, ideally while meeting high school graduation requirements and earning college credit and industry certifications. Agriculture is contextual, combining classroom and laboratory instruction, often making heavy use of project-based learning.

Essential elements include: career awareness, exploration, and preparation; programs of study based on industry; and a balance of classroom and laboratory instruction, which uses technology.

Work-Based Learning

Technical, Relevant Experience

Students learn best by doing. A work-based learning (WBL) project is an extension of the classroom, where students develop specific technical and career knowledge that prepares them for their future. Agriculture & Natural Resources deeply integrates WBL using Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects where students explore careers of interest, followed by relevant experiences with internships, entrepreneurship, research, service learning, and School-Based Enterprises at the school such as greenhouses and school farms.

Essential elements include: work-based learning opportunities guided by training agreements and training plans; safety instruction and policies.

Minnesota FFA

Affective, Relationships/Leadership

FFA is a federally charted, integral component of Agricultural, Energy, & Natural Resources Education and is it’s Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO). To become an FFA member, students must enroll in at least one agriculture course per year. Minnesota FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through Agricultural Education. State membership as of 2024 was more than 16,000 secondary members in 210 chapters.

Essential elements include: leadership development opportunities through student organizations or other means.

Career Clusters within Agricultural, Energy, & Natural Resources Education

Agriculture

Energy & Natural Resources

Example Courses

– Introduction to Agriculture, Energy, & Natural Resources
– Principles of Agricultural, Energy, & Natural Resources Biology
– Youth Leadership/FFA

– Energy and Natural Resources Science
– Natural Resources Ecology
– Wildlife, Fisheries, and Ecology Management
– Water Treatment and Environmental Services
– Forestry Science and Management
– Biofuels, Renewable Resources, and Alternative Energy
– Minerals, Mining, and Fuels
– Energy and Environmental Engineering
– Outdoor Education and Recreation Management
– Environmental Science Issues and Policy
– Forestry Operations School Forest
– Energy & Natural Resources Work-Based Learning/SAE

– Agricultural Economics
– Ag Finance and Accounting
– Ag Sales and Marketing
– Ag Communications and Journalism
– Ag Construction and Carpentry
– Ag Manufacturing and Welding
– Ag Transportation and Operations
– Small and Large Animal Science and Care
– Animal Biology
– Equine Science
– Livestock and Poultry Production
– Aquaculture
– Veterinary Science and Biology
– Plant Science and Horticulture
– Soil Chemistry
– Crop Production and Agronomy
– Pest Management, Entomology, and Plant Pathology
– Floriculture, Ornamental Horticulture, and Floral Design
– Turf, Landscape, and Parks Management
– Greenhouse and Nursery Operations School Business
– Food Science and Nutrition
– Food Technology and Safety
– Food Processing and Preparation
– Animal and Plant Biotechnology
– Agriculture Work-Based Learning/SAE

Districts with Agricultural, Energy, & Natural Resources Education Programs

Note: Some districts may by missing if they failed to submit statutorily required data to the state during STAR reporting.

Ada-Borup-West, Clearbrook-Gonvick, Crookston, Fertile-Beltrami, Fosston, Kelliher, Kittson Central (Hallock), Mahnomen, Norman County East (Twin Valley), Park Rapids, South Koochiching, Stephen-Argyle Central, Thief River Falls, and Warren-Alvarado-Oslo.

Aitkin, Deer River, Duluth, Grand Rapids, Greenway, Lake Superior (Silver Bay), Mesabi East, and Nashwauk-Keewatin.

Bertha-Hewitt, Brainerd, Browerville, Little Falls, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle, Menahga, Pequot Lakes, Pierz, Pillager, Royalton, Sebeka, Staples-Motley, Upsala, Verndale, and Wadena-Deer Creek.

Alexandria, Ashby, Barnesville, Battle Lake, Brandon-Evansville, Detroit Lakes, Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton, Fergus Falls, Frazee-Vergas, Hancock, Hawley, Henning, Herman-Norcross, Lake Park-Audubon, Minnewaska, Moorhead, Morris, New York Mills, Osakis, Parkers Prairie, Pelican Rapids, Perham-Dent, Rothsay, Ulen-Hitterdal, West Central (Barrett), and Wheaton.

Albany, Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa, Braham, Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose, Chisago Lakes (Lindstrom), Dassel-Cokato, Foley, Holdingford, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted, Isle, Kimball, Melrose, Milaca, Monticello, Mora, North Branch, Ogilvie, Paynesville, Princeton, Rockford, ROCORI (Cold Spring), Rush City, Sauk Centre, Sauk Rapids-Rice, and Willow River.

AFSA (Vadnais Heights), Anoka-Hennepin, Belle Plaine, Central, City Academy (Saint Paul), Farmington, Forest Lake, Hastings, Intermediate 287 (Plymouth), Minneapolis, Northeast Metro 916 (White Bear Lake), Randolph, Robbinsdale, Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan, Saint Paul, Southwest Metro Intermediate 288 (Shakopee), St. Francis, Stillwater, Waconia, and Watertown-Mayer.

A.C.G.C. (Grove City), Adrian, Benson, Bird Island-Olivia-Lake Lillian, Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart, Canby, Cedar Mountain (Morgan), Dawson-Boyd, Eden Valley-Watkins, Edgerton, Fulda, Glencoe-Silver Lake, Hendricks, Heron Lake-Okabena, Hills-Beaver Creek, Hutchinson, Jackson County Central (Jackson) (Jackson), Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg, Lac qui Parle Valley (Madison), Lakeview, Litchfield, Luverne, MACCRAY (Clara City), Marshall, Minneota, Montevideo, Mountain Lake, Murray County Central (Slayton), New London-Spicer, Pipestone, Red Rock Central (Lamberton), Redwood (Redwood Falls), Renville County West (Renville), Russell Tyler Ruthton, Tracy, Wabasso, Westbrook-Walnut Grove, Willmar, Windom, Worthington, and Yellow Medicine East (Granite Falls).

Blue Earth, Butterfield-Odin, Cleveland, Fairmont, GFW (Winthrop), Granada Huntley East Chain, Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial, Madelia, Mankato, Maple River, Martin County West (Sherburn), Minnesota New Country (Henderson), New Ulm, Nicollet, NRHEG (New Richland), Sibley East (Arlington), Sleepy Eye, Springfield, St. Clair, St. James, St. Peter, Tri-City United (Montgomery), Truman, United South Central (Wells), Waseca, and Waterville-Elysian-Morristown.

Albert Lea, Alden-Conger, Austin, Blooming Prairie, Byron, Caledonia, Cannon Falls, Chatfield, Dover-Eyota, Faribault, Fillmore Central (Harmony), Glenville-Emmons, Goodhue, Grand Meadow, Hayfield, Houston, Kasson-Mantorville, Kenyon-Wanamingo, Kingsland (Spring Valley), Lake City, Lanesboro, LeRoy-Ostrander, Lewiston-Altura, Lyle, Mabel-Canton, Medford, Northfield, Owatonna, Pine Island, Plainview-Elgin-Millville, Red Wing, Rushford-Peterson, Southern Minnesota Education Consortium (Austin), Southland, Spring Grove, St. Charles, Stewartville, Triton (Dodge Center), Winona, and Zumbrota-Mazeppa.

Directory of Agriculture & Natural Resources Programs and Teachers | Directory of FFA Chapters
Open Agriculture & Natural Resources Teaching Jobs

Agricultural, Energy, & Natural Resources Education State Leadership and Professional Organizations

Minnesota association for career and Technical Education

Learn more about MnACTE
Minnesota association OF AGRICULTURE EDUCATORS

Learn more about MAAE

Curriculum

– TIP Curriculum Drive
– Safety Curriculum
– CASE Curriculum
– Ag in the Classroom Curriculum
– MDE CTE State Frameworks

Resources

– General Resources
– FFA Resources
– MDE CTE Program Approval Guide
– MDE CTE Program Approval Database
– CTE Job Posting Guidance

Funding

– CTE Revenue
– CTE Perkins Funding
– CTE Cooperative Funding
– MDE CTE Program Approval Forms
– Other CTE Grants

State Staff in Agricultural, Energy, & Natural Resources Education

Agricultural, Energy, & Natural Resources Teacher Preparation

Lakes Country Service Cooperative

Licenses:

Southwest MN State University

Licenses:

University of Minnesota – Crookston

Licenses:

University of Minnesota – Twin Cities

Licenses:

PELSB – Portfolio Pathway

Licenses:

Career & Technical Education
Teacher Induction Program

Introductory mentoring and induction for secondary teachers new to the profession who need support with foundations of CTE and basic pedagogy/instruction, most often Tier 1 and Tier 2 teachers. CTE TIP offers free curriculum, mentoring, professional development, and resources.

Agriculture & Nat. Resources
Teacher Induction Program

Advanced mentoring and induction for those who have recently completed a teacher preparation program (Tier 3) or those who have completed CTE-TIP (Tier 2 or Tier 3) and need license-specific support to build a program, design and adopt curriculum, and enhance their teaching and pedagogy.

Free mentoring, curriculum, and support from a program with more than 20 years of success.

Learn More

Additional Agricultural, Energy, & Natural Resources Education Resources

Minnesota State hosts eight Centers of Excellence – each serving a major industry that faces serious workforce challenges. The centers collaborate with industry and educators to attract and prepare students for success in high-demand careers.

Strategically located throughout the state, the Minnesota State Centers of Excellence drive workforce innovation through education and industry collaboration – and provide thought leadership on workforce development in their respective industries.

The Minnesota Department of Education administers rule and funding unique to CTE, including federal Perkins (under sole source agency Minnesota State) and CTE revenue. The MDE state specialist for Agricultural, Energy, & Natural Resources Education is Lindsey Brockberg.

The nine Service Cooperatives are regional governments and school districts under Minnesota State Statute 123A.21. The cooperatives work as a liaison to state agencies and districts and have strong partnerships with business and industry, postsecondary institutions, and other associations that provide opportunities for Minnesota districts, teachers, and students.

The Cooperatives partner to form the MN CTE Consortium to provide statewide services in CTE teacher licensure, induction/mentoring, and professional development under Minnesota State Statute 124D.4536.

Minnesota State colleges and Minnesota school districts were self-formed in 2008 to promote collaborative planning and implementation of Career and Technical Education programs through the Perkins federal grant. Each consortium has at least one Minnesota State college and one school district, including charter schools. 

Agriculture, Energy, & Natural Resources Frequently Asked Questions

A: Agriculture Broad‑Based (010100), Park Services Career Pathways (400300), and Work‑Based Learning (160000).

A: Lakes Country Service Cooperative, Southwest Minnesota State University, University of Minnesota–Crookston, and University of Minnesota–Twin Cities.

A: Animal science, plant science, food systems, agricultural mechanics, environmental science, agribusiness, natural resources, park services, and more.

A: Yes. These topics are specifically included in the state rule describing what this license can teach. However, the courses must be agricultural in nature. Home construction and automobile repair do not fall under this license and should be taught by a Trade and Industry teacher.

A: FFA. The letters FFA no longer stand for Future Farmers of America; the name changed in 1988 to reflect the broader scope of agricultural, energy, and natural resources education.

A: Yes. A local school board may determine that an Agriculture, Energy, & Natural Resources course meets standards for science credit (earth and space science, chemistry, or physics) if all academic standards are satisfied. Agriculture, Energy, & Natural Resources may also meet a one‑half credit economics requirement if all economics standards are met.

A: Student‑run greenhouses, school gardens, floral shops, park management projects, and farm‑to‑school ventures.

A: Minnesota does not have state-level CTE standards. Instead, under Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.022, subdivision 1a, local school districts must adopt standards for their CTE programs. Districts must base these on national CTE standards, national industry standards, or the Minnesota CTE frameworks when creating their local standards. See the Resources page on the MN CTE website for more information and links to these standards and frameworks.