Choosing a college major is about more than picking a subject. It is about finding the best fit for your interests, goals, community, and future. For students who care about agriculture, food and natural resources, an Agricultural Education degree can open the door to meaningful career opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.
At Minnesota Teach Ag, we believe agriculture teachers play an important role in preparing the next generation of leaders. They help students explore agriculture, develop real-world skills, participate in FFA, and discover career pathways in agriculture, food and natural resources.
But an Agricultural Education degree can also take you in many directions. Whether your future is in a school, youth program, community organization, business, or industry role, this degree helps build skills in teaching, leadership, communication, planning, and outreach.
Teach Agriculture in a School Setting
For many students, an Agricultural Education degree leads to being in a school or college/university. Agriculture teachers make a lasting impact by helping students connect what they learn to real-world experiences, hands-on projects, leadership opportunities, and future careers.
Career options in a school setting may include:
- Middle or high school teacher
- Post-secondary faculty
- Farm Business Management instructor
- Curriculum and instruction designer
- Career pathways coordinator
- Academic advisor
If you are excited about helping students learn, grow, and see themselves in agriculture, teaching or supporting students in a school setting may be the right path for you.
Support Learning Through Non-Formal Education
Not every educator works in a traditional classroom. An Agricultural Education degree can also lead to careers that connect youth, families, and communities to agriculture through programs, events, and hands-on learning experiences.
Career options in non-formal education may include:
- Environmental educator
- 4-H youth development educator
- Extension educator
- Agricultural literacy specialist
- Youth education program director
These roles are a strong fit for people who enjoy teaching others, building relationships, and making agriculture more accessible and meaningful.
Use Ag Ed Skills in Business and Industry
Agricultural Education graduates can also use their skills in business and industry. Agriculture needs professionals who can train employees, support customers, plan events, advocate for the industry, and connect people with resources.
Career options in business and industry may include:
- Learning and talent development specialist
- Agriculture sales
- International agricultural consultant
- Agricultural lobbyist
- Non-profit or foundation director
- Event planner
- Outreach coordinator
These careers allow graduates to support agriculture beyond the classroom while still using the communication, leadership, and education skills built through an Agricultural Education degree.
Earn Your Agricultural Education Degree in Minnesota
Students interested in Agricultural Education can earn their degree right here in Minnesota through programs at Southwest Minnesota State University, the University of Minnesota Crookston, and the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. You can also start at a Minnesota State two-year program and transfer to one of the three Universities.
If you are passionate about agriculture, food and natural resources, and you want to help others understand why agriculture matters, an Agricultural Education degree is a great place to start. You may become an agriculture teacher, or you may find another path that uses your passion for agriculture to educate, lead, and serve your community.