Agriculture is an important industry because it is the source of our food. While there are certainly farmers who learn the trade from their families, certain industries require a formal education in agriculture, creating a need for agriculture teachers at the secondary and postsecondary level.
What Does an Ag Teacher Do?
Agriculture teachers can be found in public schools, technical schools, adult and business education programs, colleges, universities and state-run farmer training programs. An Ag teacher job description centers on teaching a variety of subjects, such as horticulture, animal and plant science, agricultural chemicals and agricultural technology. Career requirements generally include a college degree and agricultural experience. Middle and high school teachers in public schools need teacher licensure and specialty certification.
| Career Titles | Secondary School Agriculture Teacher | Postsecondary Agriculture Teacher |
|---|---|---|
| Required Education | Bachelor's degree with teacher education program | Master's in agricultural education or bachelor's degree in relevant field with a graduate certificate in agricultural education |
| Other Requirements | Public school teachers need a teaching license | N/A |
| Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)* | 2% for secondary school technical and career education teachers | 2% |
| Median Salary (2019)* | $61,710 for all secondary school technical and career education teachers | $83,260 |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
What Is Agricultural Education?
Agriculture education involves a bachelor's degree and can also include a master's degree. A teaching certificate is also an important element of becoming a public school agriculture teacher.
Agriculture Education Degrees
Education for an agriculture teacher includes completing a bachelor's degree and potentially a master's degree. A bachelor's degree could be completed in an agricultural field, such as agricultural science, agricultural engineering, agricultural business management, or horticulture, yet this degree would need to be followed-up by a teacher education program or a master's degree which qualifies an individual for teaching. Another option for a future agricultural science teacher is to complete a bachelor's program in agricultural education, which often includes classes in the fields of biology, animal science, chemistry, horticulture, teaching, special education, and communication. These degrees not only focus on fostering teaching skills, but also strive to ensure that students have robust knowledge of the agricultural sciences and have worked in lab settings.
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A master's program in agricultural education is another relevant option for those who desire to become an Ag teacher. Much of the coursework in these programs will involve topics such as agricultural science, education psychology, program and curriculum development, and research methods. These programs are especially relevant for those who did not major in agricultural education while completing their bachelor's degree, but instead majored in another agricultural field. For these individuals, a master's in agricultural education will give the skills needed to teach these topics students and meet Ag teacher requirements.
Agriculture Teacher Certification Requirements
These degrees in agricultural education prepare aspiring agricultural teachers to educate future generations; however, public schools typically require further teacher certifications, which means that certification is an important part of how to become an Ag teacher. Agricultural teacher certification requirements for public schools are offered in the same way as for other subjects. Although exact requirements and exams vary by state, prospective teachers are required to pass proficiency tests which measure basic and subject-specific competencies. If an agricultural teacher wishes to educate students in a specific state, it is vital that the specific requirements for that state are known and met. States also often require teaching experience before granting a teaching certificate. This means that teachers with little to no experience will often be required to complete a practicum as part of a certification program before certification can be completed.
Agriculture Teacher Education Requirements
Requirements for agriculture teachers vary, but most states require at least a bachelor's degree for those wanting to work at the middle and high school levels. Typically, the degree should be in the field of agriculture with coursework in subjects like agricultural mechanics, forestry/wildlife management and agriculture management. Agriculture teachers who want to work in public schools also might have to finish a state-accredited teacher training program. Most states require teachers working in middle and high schools to obtain a teacher's license and receive certification in agriculture teaching.
Agriculture teachers who want to work at the college or professional level might have to complete a graduate education program. Some universities offer graduate certificate programs in agricultural education for those who already possess a bachelor's degree in fields like agriculture, forestry or wildlife management. There also are master's programs in agricultural education, which include advanced study in areas such as agribusiness, agriculture ethics and agricultural technology. Master's programs in agriculture education often include teaching internships and may allow students to specialize in adult education, state extension programs or public education.
Ag Teacher Career & Salary Info
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of high school technical and career education teachers, including agriculture teachers, is expected to grow only 2% between 2019 and 2029, well below the national average for growth across all occupations. However, the National Association of Agricultural Educators has indicated that there is a specific shortage of agriculture teachers in the United States. This dearth means that aspiring agriculture teachers may have a higher chance of getting hired than teachers of other subjects.
In 2019, the BLS reported that the median income for technical and career education teachers working at the secondary school level was $61,710. Postsecondary-level teachers of agricultural sciences earned a median salary of $83,260 per year; those teaching in junior colleges earned lower wages, with a mean of $71,860 annually in 2019.
Due to little or no growth in these occupations, job opportunities may depend on the number of retiring professionals in the area. Having graduate level education and proper certification can improve odds of employment.
