Ag Ed Programs

Agriculture is the most fundamental and essential industry in the world, an industry that provides our entire society with food, clothing, and shelter. This makes Agriculutral Education one of the most important components in a child's education.

Agriculture is the science and art of providing food and fiber products to consumers. Agriculture includes input industries necessary for production, manufacturing, processing, marketing and distribution.

PreK to 8th grade agriculture education programs and resources provide opportunities for young people to gain knowledge needed to become agriculturally literate. County agricultural literacy coordinators teach about agriculture and the role it plays in our economy and society.

Agricultural education on the secondary level teaches and reinforces science, math, language arts and social science principles. Major areas of instruction in secondary Agricultural Education include: Agricultural Business, Agricultural Mechanics & Technology, Horticulture, Agricultural Sciences, and Environmental/Natural Sciences.

Fewer than 2% of the United States population is directly involved in the production of food, yet 24.4 % of the civilian workforce in Illinois is employed in agriculture related careers. Post secondary agricultural education helps to prepare students for future careers in the agriculture industry.