Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
Think about life without agriculture, food and natural resources. What would we eat? Who would create and maintain the parks that help us relax and enjoy nature? How would we know whether our drinking water is safe? This industry has a huge impact on our daily lives, and — like other industries — technology has brought about changes in the way it operates.
Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS or drones) map natural resource areas to check forest health, evaluate soil erosion, and inventory wildlife populations. Large farms increasingly use GPS systems to help steer machinery more precisely and computer-based maps to prescribe amounts of fertilizer, seed, and chemicals for specific areas.
The Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources cluster contains occupations that require all levels of training. Nonfarm animal caretaker and refuse and recyclable materials collector positions are among the fastest-growing occupations that require the least training in this cluster. Jobs that usually require associate and bachelor’s degrees such as environmental science and protection technicians, environmental engineers, and natural science managers are also projected to increase. Employers who often hire workers in this cluster include farmers; federal, state, and local governments; pest control businesses; and landscaping companies.
Notice: Use of undefined constant arc - assumed 'arc' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 54 Notice: Use of undefined constant art - assumed 'art' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 63 Notice: Use of undefined constant bus - assumed 'bus' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 72 Notice: Use of undefined constant edu - assumed 'edu' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 89 Notice: Use of undefined constant fin - assumed 'fin' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 99 Notice: Use of undefined constant gov - assumed 'gov' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 108 Notice: Use of undefined constant hea - assumed 'hea' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 116 Notice: Use of undefined constant hos - assumed 'hos' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 125 Notice: Use of undefined constant hum - assumed 'hum' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 134 Notice: Use of undefined constant inf - assumed 'inf' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 143 Notice: Use of undefined constant law - assumed 'law' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 153 Notice: Use of undefined constant man - assumed 'man' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 162 Notice: Use of undefined constant mar - assumed 'mar' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 171 Notice: Use of undefined constant sci - assumed 'sci' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 180 Notice: Use of undefined constant tra - assumed 'tra' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 196
Core Skills
The following Core Skills are necessary for success in these occupations. Notice: Use of undefined constant agr - assumed 'agr' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 285
- Science - Using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems
- Operation & Control - Using equipment or systems
- Equipment Maintenance - Planning and doing the basic maintenance on equipment
- Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the right tools
- Equipment Selection - Deciding what kind of tools and equipment are needed to do a job
- Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working
- Management of Material Resources - Managing equipment and materials
- Troubleshooting - Figuring out what is causing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs to not work
- Management of Financial Resources - Making spending decisions and keeping track of what is spent
- Quality Control Analysis - Testing how well a product or service works
Career Research
Links to web resources related to this career pathway. Notice: Use of undefined constant agr - assumed 'agr' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 584
- United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture
- National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service/Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA)
- USDA New Farmers
- National FFA Organization
- Institute of Food Technologists
- Soil Science Society of America
- Nature Jobs
- Conservation Job Board
Career Pathways
| Notice: Use of undefined constant arc - assumed 'arc' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 841 Notice: Use of undefined constant art - assumed 'art' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 842 Notice: Use of undefined constant bus - assumed 'bus' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 843 Notice: Use of undefined constant edu - assumed 'edu' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 844 Notice: Use of undefined constant fin - assumed 'fin' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 845 Notice: Use of undefined constant gov - assumed 'gov' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 846 Notice: Use of undefined constant hea - assumed 'hea' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 847 Notice: Use of undefined constant hos - assumed 'hos' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 848 Notice: Use of undefined constant hum - assumed 'hum' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 849 Notice: Use of undefined constant inf - assumed 'inf' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 850 Notice: Use of undefined constant law - assumed 'law' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 851 Notice: Use of undefined constant man - assumed 'man' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 852 Notice: Use of undefined constant mar - assumed 'mar' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 853 Notice: Use of undefined constant sci - assumed 'sci' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 854 Notice: Use of undefined constant tra - assumed 'tra' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 855 |
Career StoryNotice: Use of undefined constant agr - assumed 'agr' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 862Alena YangMitchell Community CollegeAgribusiness Program |
"I love that — the understanding of ‘hey, we’re here to help you excel.’"
Alena Yang has growing plans for her future, figuratively and literally. One of Mitchell Community College’s first Agribusiness graduates, Alena started at Mitchell in 2013 taking finance classes. When the Agribusiness program started in fall 2014, she shifted her program of study because of an interest that was sparked in high school.
Agribusiness tied together her two passions of studying business and learning the science behind agriculture. In May 2016, Yang received her Associate in Applied Science degree in Agribusiness Technology.
Now a student at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T) in Greensboro, Yang notes she has found her calling in agricultural studies. “Studying agribusiness at Mitchell and NC A&T has really changed my perspective on how we transport, process, and consume commodities,” Yang said.
Yang reflects that beginning her educational journey at the community college level has been nothing short of life-changing. "Mitchell Community College’s Agribusiness program opened my eyes to how everything in the agriculture industry goes hand-in-hand,” she said. “Being a part of this program has had a huge impact on my life.”
One of Alena’s favorite things about her community college experience is the connections she has made during her studies. Meeting a lot of different people from diverse backgrounds, she enjoyed finding similarities and building friendships. “The agribusiness program is like a small family. We all help each other,” she noted. Yang recognizes how important this network has been and will be for her future.
The support Alena received at Mitchell made a huge impact on her journey. “The faculty and staff were so professional and knowledgeable!” she says. “Everyone is welcome, and everyone is welcoming. And I love that--the understanding of ‘hey, we’re here to help you and help you to excel.’”
While at NC A&T, Yang has had the opportunity to intern with the School of Agriculture, researching food scarcity in rural communities and food deserts. Yang plans to finish her bachelor’s degree in agribusiness and food industry management with a certificate in entrepreneurship in May 2018.
Yang encourages others to explore the world of agriculture as an educational and career path. “If you are passionate about agriculture, the food system, or just in the business of agriculture, opportunities are out there to advance,” she says. The future of agriculture is closely tied to sustainability. “Learning how to protect what we have and educating the next generation on how to do the same is so important. Knowing where your food comes from is key!”
Notice: Use of undefined constant arc - assumed 'arc' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 883 Notice: Use of undefined constant art - assumed 'art' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 898 Notice: Use of undefined constant bus - assumed 'bus' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 916 Notice: Use of undefined constant edu - assumed 'edu' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 935 Notice: Use of undefined constant fin - assumed 'fin' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 950 Notice: Use of undefined constant gov - assumed 'gov' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 968 Notice: Use of undefined constant hea - assumed 'hea' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 985 Notice: Use of undefined constant hos - assumed 'hos' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 1002 Notice: Use of undefined constant hum - assumed 'hum' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 1021 Notice: Use of undefined constant inf - assumed 'inf' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 1040 Notice: Use of undefined constant law - assumed 'law' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 1060 Notice: Use of undefined constant man - assumed 'man' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 1080 Notice: Use of undefined constant mar - assumed 'mar' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 1098 Notice: Use of undefined constant sci - assumed 'sci' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 1117 Notice: Use of undefined constant tra - assumed 'tra' in D:\inetpub\NcCareers\CareerGuide\cluster.php on line 1136Go to Career Cluster Matrix to find occupations by cluster and interest type.