Agriculture is one of California’s largest and most vital industries, which generates about $32 billion in products and more than $125 billion of economic impact each year. Ten percent of California workers are engaged in agriculture and related occupations. Because the demand for agricultural specialists throughout the state in both urban and rural areas is high, there are more job openings than there are qualified applicants. Within the Agriculture and Natural Resources pathways, workers in some of the fastest-growing and/or highest-wage occupations in California include agricultural marketing and sales personnel, agricultural engineers, laboratory and research technicians, animal reproduction specialists, environmental scientists, landscape and turf managers, and pest management specialists.

Students in the Agriculture and Natural Resources industry sector are engaged in an instructional program that integrates academic and technical preparation, with a focus on career awareness, career exploration, and skill preparation in seven pathways. The pathways emphasize real-world, occupationally relevant experiences of significant scope and depth in Agricultural Business, Agricultural Mechanics, Agriscience, Animal Science, Forestry and Natural Resources, Ornamental Horticulture, and Plant and Soil Science. Integral components of classroom and laboratory instruction, supervised agricultural experience projects, and leadership and interpersonal skill development prepare students for continued training, advanced educational opportunities, and entry into a career.