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Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Systems

What is the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Systems Career Area?

The Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Systems Career Learning Area relates to the environment, food, and natural resources, including agriculture (including food systems), earth sciences, environmental sciences, fisheries management, forestry, horticulture, water resources, wildlife management, and urban environmental management. The career learning area objectives blend long term needs of people and environmental values so the land will support diverse, productive, and sustainable processes and products.


How to Pursue Education and Training in Agriculture, Food, or Natural Resources

The Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources industries are in need of well-rounded and qualified individuals to lead the state and nation in responsibly managing food production and natural resources utilization. Agriculture has a variety and abundance of careers that fit within nine career focus areas. Careers may involve using advanced equipment, creating new hybrid seeds, raising animals, managing people, educating the public, or designing new products and packaging. The industry of agriculture can open up a world of possibilities, and the demand for professionals in every agricultural area is high.

Students in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources learn and practice skills that prepare them for diverse post-high school education and training opportunities, including direct employment, apprenticeships, and two-year, four-year college, and graduate programs.


The career area is organized into nine career pathways:

  • Agribusiness systems
  • Animal systems
  • Biotechnology systems
  • Environmental service systems
  • Food products and processing systems
  • Natural resources systems
  • Plant/Agronomy/Horticulture systems
  • Power, structural and technical systems
  • Agriculture Education

Oregon Resources

Agriculture


Natural Resources/Forestry


National Resources



Agriculture Science and Technology Program of Study Resources

Regardless of whether an Agriculture program participated within the Statewide Agriculture Program of Study or locally developed Agriculture Program of Study, the Agriculture Science and Technology Programs of Study will be in the renewal cycle for the 2024-25 school year, and Program of Study documentation will be submitted within the ODE Data System by June 30, 2025. There will be a series of trainings/workshop events in preparation for the June 2025 submission.

The Program of Study renewal process will launch at the OATA Summer Conference in Lebanon, Oregon, on June 19, 2024. Reynold Gardner will be at the Lebanon conference with the community college partners to begin the renewal process and announce the dates of the five trainings/webinars to be held over the course of the 2024-25 school year. Both the OATA Summer Conference and Fall Conference will have in-person sessions with Reynold. The remaining three to four webinars will occur through Zoom. All trainings/webinars will be archived for future reference. Please contact Reynold Gardner if you have specific questions.

2024-25 Program of Study Renewal Training Dates

  • Element 1 - Standards and Content (OATA Summer Conference, Lebanon, Oregon - June 19, 2024)
  • Element 2 - Alignment and Articulation Visual (OATA Fall Conference, location TBA, October 11, 2024)
  • Webinar/Element 3 - Accountability, Data, Assessment, Work-Based Learning (Date TBA)
  • Webinar/Element 4 - Student Support Services (Date TBA)
  • Webinar/Elements 5-6 - Professional Development and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (Date TBA)
  • Regional Coordinator Approval, Signatures/Submission (June 30, 2025)

Natural Resource/Forestry Program of Study Resources

The Natural Resource/Forestry Programs of Study renewal cycle occurs every four years. The most recent Program of Study cycle was July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2023. The next renewal date for the Natural Resource/Forestry Program of Study is scheduled for June 30, 2027. All new/start-up Natural Resource/Forestry Program of Study applications that occur mid-cycle will renew on June 30, 2027, regardless of when the Program of Study new/start-up date occurs. The archived YouTube links of the 2023 Program of Study renewal webinars with Reynold Gardner are listed below:

​Webinar/Element 1 - Standards and Content (10/14/22 - ONREA Fall Conference)

Webinar/Element 2 - Alignment and Articulation Visual (12/14/22 - OFRI Workshop at Silverton)

Webinar/Element 3 - Accountability, Data, Assessment, Work-Based Learning (3/7/23)

Webinar/Element 4 - Student Support Services (5/9/23)

Webinar/Elements 5-6 - Professional Development and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (6/6/23)

Playlist for all Natural Resource/Forestry webinar videos​


For more information, please contact Reynold Gardner.