Virginia's Agricultural Education pathway prepares students for diverse careers in agricultural production, agribusiness, natural resource management, agricultural sciences, and food systems. Agriculture remains important to Virginia's economy, with the state's varied geography supporting livestock, crop production, equine industries, vineyards, and forestry. This comprehensive program integrates classroom instruction, Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects, and FFA leadership development—the three-component model of agricultural education.
The pathway covers agricultural production systems, animal science, plant science, agricultural mechanics, natural resources and environmental management, agribusiness operations, food science, and emerging agricultural technologies. Students develop both technical agricultural skills and essential business competencies. Virginia's program emphasizes sustainable agriculture practices, agricultural innovation, and connections between agriculture and environmental stewardship preparing students for modern agricultural careers.
Virginia's Agricultural Education pathway maintains strong connections with Virginia Tech's agricultural extension service, farm operations, agribusinesses, and natural resource agencies providing authentic learning experiences. Students complete hands-on SAE projects and participate in FFA activities developing leadership, career skills, and agricultural expertise. Graduates are prepared for agricultural employment, operation of agricultural enterprises, or continuation to Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, or other agricultural degree programs.
Agricultural Education at a Glance
4
Courses
8
Credentials
5
Career Paths
State Standards & Framework
Virginia's Agricultural Education standards align with national Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR) Career Cluster standards and integrate science, mathematics, and business concepts. State standards emphasize agricultural production and technology, animal systems, plant systems, natural resource systems, power and technical systems, food products and processing, and agribusiness management supporting the three-component agricultural education model.
Typical Course Sequence
| Course | Code |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Science I: Introduction and SAE | 8000 |
| Agricultural Science II: Animal and Plant Systems | 8001 |
| Agricultural Science III: Agricultural Business and Mechanics | 8002 |
| Agricultural Science IV: Specialized Agriculture | 8003 |
Industry Certifications & Credentials
- ✓NOCTI Agriculture Mechanics
- ✓NOCTI Agricultural Production
- ✓ServSafe Food Handler
- ✓ServSafe Manager
- ✓Certified Veterinary Assistant
- ✓Certified Horticulture Professional
- ✓Certified Landscape Technician
- ✓OSHA 10-Hour General Industry
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
ExperiencedSalary range: $62,760 - $94,450
Agricultural Equipment Technician
Entry LevelSalary range: $62,760 - $94,450
Horticulture Specialist
Entry LevelSalary range: $33,910 - $43,560
Agricultural Sales Representative
ExperiencedSalary range: $62,760 - $94,450
Conservation Specialist
Entry LevelSalary range: $49,530 - $83,030
Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Students complete SAE projects including entrepreneurship ventures (livestock, crop production, agricultural services), placement experiences at farms and agribusinesses, and agricultural research projects. Work-based learning occurs at production farms, agricultural cooperatives, veterinary clinics, nurseries, vineyards, and natural resource agencies. FFA competitive events and leadership conferences provide additional experiential learning integral to Virginia agricultural education.
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
Related Glossary Terms
CTE Pathways
CTE Pathways are structured sequences of courses within a Career Cluster that prepare students for a specific group of related occupations. Pathways combine academic and technical instruction, providing a clear roadmap from introductory courses through advanced, specialized training aligned with industry standards and postsecondary opportunities.
ProgrammaticWork-Based Learning
Work-Based Learning (WBL) encompasses a range of educational strategies that connect classroom instruction with real workplace experiences. Activities include internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, clinical rotations, and cooperative education, all designed to help CTE students apply technical skills in authentic industry settings.
ProgrammaticProgram of Study
A Program of Study (POS) is a coordinated, non-duplicative sequence of academic and CTE courses that spans secondary through postsecondary education. Required under Perkins V, a POS integrates academic content with CTE instruction, includes work-based learning, and leads to an industry-recognized credential or postsecondary degree.
ProgrammaticCareer and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs)
Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) are national organizations that provide CTE students with opportunities for leadership development, competitive events, community service, and career preparation. Recognized CTSOs include DECA, FBLA, FFA, HOSA, SkillsUSA, and TSA, each serving students in specific career cluster areas.
ProgrammaticReady to Build Agricultural Education Programs at Scale?
See how Sage can help you create standards-aligned curriculum for Agricultural Education in Virginia.