What Does an Agricultural Teacher Do & How to Become One?

An agriculture teacher, also known as an agricultural science teacher, is like a guide in teaching students all about farming. They do more than just teach; they also mentor and support the farming industry. They help students learn about different aspects of farming, like growing crops, taking care of animals, running a farm business, and protecting the environment.

Agriculture teachers cover a wide range of topics, from planting seeds to managing resources sustainably. They use hands-on activities, lessons, and real-life examples to make sure students understand farming.

Besides teaching, agriculture teachers often lead clubs like Future Farmers of America (FFA) or 4-H. These clubs give students a chance to learn leadership skills, compete in contests, and help out in their community.

What are their duties and responsibilities?

Agriculture teachers have many important jobs to help students become experts in farming and agriculture: 

• Creating Lessons: They make lesson plans covering everything about farming. They make sure these lessons meet state standards and are up-to-date with what’s happening in the farming world.
• Organizing Programs: They plan and set up events and workshops related to farming. This might include field trips to farms, bringing in guest speakers from the farming industry, and arranging hands-on activities.
• Teaching: Agriculture teachers teach students about animals, running farm businesses, plant science, and fixing farm equipment. They use different ways of teaching, like talking, showing, and doing activities, to help all kinds of students learn.
• Helping Students: They guide and support students, helping them decide what they want to do in farming. They encourage them to do well in school and find opportunities for more learning or work in agriculture.
• Running Clubs: They lead clubs like FFA, where students learn about leadership, different careers in farming, and how to help out in their community. They help students get ready for competitions and be active in farming groups.
• Learning More: To keep up with new things in farming, agriculture teachers keep learning themselves. They go to conferences, workshops, and training to get better at teaching and learn more about farming.

How do you become an AG teacher?

Becoming an agriculture teacher is an exciting journey that mixes learning, hands-on experience, and a love for farming and teaching. Here’s how you can start this rewarding career: 

• Get a Degree: First, earn a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education or a similar field. This degree teaches you the basics of teaching and all about farming, like plants, animals, and business.
• Get Licensed: After finishing your degree, you need to get a teaching license from your state’s education department. This usually means passing tests and finishing a teaching program.
• Find a Job: Look for openings for agriculture teachers in schools. Make sure your resume, cover letter, and teaching portfolio show why you’re a great fit for the job.
• Keep Learning: Even after you start teaching, it’s important to keep learning about farming. Go to workshops, classes, or online courses to improve your teaching skills and stay updated on farming trends.

The pros and cons of being an AG teacher

Becoming an agriculture teacher can bring lots of joy and fulfillment as you help students learn and grow. But, like any job, it has its good and tough parts.

Pros

• Making a Big Difference: One of the best things about being an AG teacher is how you can positively impact students’ lives. By sharing your love for farming and giving them hands-on experiences, you can inspire the next generation of farming leaders.
• Passing on What You Know: As an AG teacher, you get to share valuable knowledge about farming, animals, business, and more. You help keep farming traditions alive while teaching students about new farming techniques and ideas.
• Lots of Different Things to Do: AG teachers have a mix of jobs, from teaching in the classroom to leading FFA groups and contests. This variety keeps things interesting and lets you be creative in how you teach.
• Steady Work: Because farming is so important for things like food and the environment, there’s always a need for AG teachers. That means you can usually count on having a job.
• Part of the Community: AG teachers often work closely with local farmers and groups. This lets you build strong connections and help both your students and your community.

Cons

• Long Hours: AG teachers often have to work long days, both in and out of the classroom. Planning lessons, grading papers, and doing after-school activities can take up a lot of time.
• Not Much Money: Many AG programs don’t have a lot of money, so it can be hard to get the things you need for teaching. You might have to get creative to make your budget stretch.
• Different Needs: Every student learns in their way, which can be tough to handle. You might have to change how you teach to help all your students succeed.
• Keep Learning: To stay on top of farming news and teaching tricks, AG teachers need to keep learning themselves. That means going to classes and workshops, which takes time and effort.
• Getting Attached: Building strong relationships with students is great, but it can also be tough. You might feel stressed or overwhelmed trying to help students with their problems.

Is it a good idea to become an agriculture teacher?

Becoming an agriculture teacher can be a great job if you love farming and teaching. It lets you help students learn about farming, inspire them to do their best and support the farming industry’s future.

But before jumping into it, think about some important stuff. Check out how many AG teacher jobs are out there, what the pay is like, and how much time you’ll have for other things besides work. Take your time to look into different programs and talk to other AG teachers to see if it’s a good fit for you. If you’re passionate about farming, care about your students’ success, and are always eager to learn new things, becoming an AG teacher could be a super satisfying journey for you.

Become an awesome AG teacher

To become a great agriculture teacher, you need to be dedicated, passionate, and always ready to learn. By following the steps we talked about here and staying true to your love for farming and teaching, you can become an awesome AG teacher who inspires lots of students to get into agriculture.

Teaching agriculture is a special job where you can share your love for farming and help others learn. If you’re thinking about becoming an AG teacher, get ready for a journey that’s both rewarding and challenging, but full of chances to learn and grow.