Today’s FFA Members, Tomorrow’s Agricultural Workforce
Saturday, February 15, 2020 | Author: By: Clayton Elbel and Tracy Branch, Texas FFA Officers
Texas FFA is known to have many outstanding, high-achieving members, who develop skills and the competitive mindset needed to serve as leaders in our fast-paced world. Students involved in agricultural education and FFA are uniquely prepared for their future jobs and the demands of tomorrow’s agricultural workforce.
All Texas FFA members must be enrolled in at least one Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR) course. Recently, the Texas Education Agency broke down those courses into pathways, or Programs of Study. Members can choose between six study programs: agribusiness, animal science, applied agricultural engineering, environmental and natural resources, food science and technology, and plant science. These different pathways give students the opportunity to take classes that not only relate to their interests, but also provide them the with the technical skills they need to go into their chosen career.
According to the Texas Education Agency, the AFNR career cluster includes a “diverse spectrum of occupations, ranging from farmer, rancher, and veterinarian to geologist, land conservationist, and florist.”
Moreover, students within these classes are eligible to earn industry certifications through their programs of study.
“Most of these certifications would cost students hundreds or even thousands of dollars to obtain if they had to pay for the training and certifications on their own,” said Les Hudson, Texas Statewide CTE Coordinator for Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.
Agricultural education students can take advantage of these certification at a low cost. Some of the approved certificates include License Veterinary Technician, Texas State Floral Association Level One and Two Certification and OSHA 30-Hour General Industry Certification.
Through Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources courses, Texas FFA members and agricultural science students are developing their potential for career success.
For more information about the AFNR Programs of Study or Approved Certifications visit TEA Career and Technical Education website.
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