The Agribusiness Systems pathway prepares students for leadership roles in Virginia's diverse and growing agricultural sector, from the Eastern Shore's seafood industry to the Piedmont's livestock operations and the Shenandoah Valley's specialty crops. This pathway combines agricultural science with business management, preparing students for careers operating and managing agricultural enterprises.
Students study farm management systems, agricultural finance, cooperative operations, supply chain management, and marketing of agricultural products. They develop business plans, analyze agricultural markets, and learn accounting principles specific to farm operations through classroom instruction and field experiences.
Graduates pursue careers as farm managers, agricultural business consultants, cooperative managers, or agricultural sales representatives. Many establish their own agricultural operations or work with companies like Southern States Cooperative and agricultural equipment dealers throughout Virginia. Advanced students articulate to Virginia Tech and Virginia State University's agriculture programs.
Agribusiness Systems at a Glance
4
Courses
8
Credentials
4
Career Paths
State Standards & Framework
Virginia's agribusiness standards integrate with Virginia Tech's agricultural extension programs and align with industry competencies developed by the Virginia Agricultural Competitiveness Council. Standards emphasize sustainable business practices, agricultural technology adoption, and financial management.
Students complete assessments in business planning, financial analysis, and agricultural market analysis. The state partners with agricultural extension services and industry associations to ensure curriculum reflects current business practices in Virginia agriculture.
Typical Course Sequence
| Course |
|---|
| Agribusiness Foundations |
| Agricultural Economics and Management |
| Agribusiness Operations |
| Agricultural Marketing and Sales |
Industry Certifications & Credentials
- ✓Certified Landscape Technician
- ✓OSHA 10-Hour General Industry
- ✓First Aid/CPR/AED
- ✓NOCTI Agriculture Mechanics
- ✓NOCTI Agricultural Production
- ✓ServSafe Food Handler
- ✓ServSafe Manager
- ✓Certified Veterinary Assistant
Career Opportunities
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Growth projections from BLS Employment Projections (2023-2033). Cost-of-living adjustment uses BEA Regional Price Parities (2023). Entry-level salaries reflect the 25th percentile; experienced salaries reflect the median.
Farm Manager
Entry LevelSalary range: $62,760 - $94,450
Agricultural Business Consultant
ExperiencedSalary range: $62,760 - $94,450
Cooperative Manager
ExperiencedSalary range: $77,790 - $174,120
Agricultural Sales Representative
Entry LevelSalary range: $62,760 - $94,450
Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Students work with Virginia Tech Extension offices, Southern States Cooperative branches, farm management operations, and agricultural input suppliers.
Career & Technical Student Organization
Students in this pathway can participate in National FFA Organization, gaining leadership experience and competing in career-related events.
How Sage Helps Virginia CTE Programs
AI-Powered Curriculum
Generate standards-aligned lesson plans in minutes, not months
Virginia Standards Built In
Pre-loaded with Virginia's CTE standards and frameworks
Teacher Customization
Teachers personalize content while maintaining standards alignment
Ongoing Updates
Curriculum stays current as Virginia standards and industry needs evolve
Ready to Build Agribusiness Systems Programs at Scale?
See how Sage can help you create standards-aligned curriculum for Agribusiness Systems in Virginia.