Career Pathways

Scroll below so we can guide you in the right direction for your future in agriculture.

 

Agriculture Career Path Brochure

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agricultural careers pathways

Environmental Service Systems

Fields

  • Hydrology
  • Soil Science
  • Meteorology
  • Environmental Science
  • Wind Energy Technology
  • Aquatic Biology

Jobs

  • Environmental / Field Technician:
    $33,300 - $54,500
  • Environmental Engineer:
    $73,650 - $148,350
  • Environmental Compliance Inspector:
    $72,700 - $107,650
  • Water Treatment Specialist:
    $42,000 - $54,600
  • Ag Facilities Construction Manager:
    $81,700 - $100,800

Pay

The median advertised salary in Minnesota for environmental system occupations is about $84,050.

environmental systems career pathways

Pathway Description

Pathway focused on preventing the harmful effects of human activities; knowledge of science and engineering.

Biotechnology Systems

Fields

  • Biofuels
  • Genetics
  • Physics
  • Life Science / Evolutionary Biology
  • Biology and Biotechnology
  • Ecology

Jobs

  • Dairy Commodity Grader:
    $28,000 - $50,750
  • Fatty Acids Materials Scientist:
    $53,650 - $118,150
  • Fermentation Microbiologist:
    $51,450 - $82,150
  • Biological Lab Technician:
    $32,050 - $53,800
  • Chemistry Lab Technician:
    $34,950 - $45,050

Pay

The median advertised salary in Minnesota for biofuel system occupations is about $59,200.

biotechnology career pathways

Pathway Description

Pathway enhances plants, animals and microorganisms; have a strong interest and background in how science can modify an organism’s genetic composition.

Power, Structural and Technical Systems

Fields

  • Robotics
  • UAS / UAV
  • Welding and Fabrication
  • Applied Engineering / Drafting
  • Precision Agriculture / GIS / GPS
  • Diesel / Heavy Equipment Mechanics

Jobs

  • Industrial / Manufacturing Engineer:
    $79,350 - $125,950
  • TIG Welder:
    $38,650 - $43,450
  • Wind Turbine Technician:
    $43,700 - $63,150
  • GIS Technician:
    $41,900 - $48,100

Pay

The median advertised salary in Minnesota for power, structural, and technical system occupations is about $67,350.

power structural technical systems career pathways

Pathway Description

Apply knowledge of engineering, hydraulics, pneumatics, electronics, power, structures and controls to agriculture. Innovate, design and build solutions.

Natural Resources Systems

Fields

  • Forestry
  • Wildlife Ecology
  • Urban Forestry
  • Land Surveying / Geospatial Analysis
  • Forestry / Natural Resources
  • Natural Resources Law Enforcement

Jobs

  • Parks Workers:
    $25,450 - $43,450
  • Park Naturalist / Conservation Scientist:
    $27,900 - $56,550
  • Environmental Scientist:
    $63,400 - $109,750
  • Foresters:
    $71,650 - $84,750
  • Land Surveyors:
    $43,200 - $84,650

Pay

The median advertised salary in Minnesota for natural resource system occupations is about $47,500.

natural resources systems career pathways

Pathway Description

Maintain and manage natural environment; work in urban and rural settings, in the field and in the lab. Protecting wildlife, maintaining parks.

Agribusiness Systems

Fields

  • Agricultural Science
  • Law / Regulation
  • Agribusiness Management
  • Agricultural Education
  • Sales / Marketing
  • Accounting / Finance / Insurance

Jobs

  • Product Demonstrator:
    $24,650 - $52,550
  • Marketing Manager:
    $89,000 - $154,590
  • Plant Accountant:
    $49,250 - $105,200
  • Agriculture Loan Officer:
    $63,550 - $130,050
  • Supply Chain Analysts:
    $60,250 - $107,900

Pay

The median advertised salary in Minnesota for agribusiness occupations is about $57,800.

agricultural systems career pathways

Pathway Description

Careers in this pathway determine effective use of resources for profit, work in teams and using high-tech tools to increase efficiency

Animal Systems

Fields

  • Paralegal
  • Equine Science
  • Animal Science
  • Veterinary Technician
  • Aquaculture
  • Dairy, Lamb, Wool, Swine Management

Jobs

  • Veterinarian:
    $82,650 - $104,450
  • Animal Scientist:
    $71,950 - $144,900
  • Animal Caretaker:
    $23,900 - $36,650
  • Biologists:
    $38,100 - $94,000
  • Veterinary Technician:
    $30,000 - $55,300

Pay

The median advertised salary in Minnesota for animal system occupations is about $42,150.

animal systems career pathways

Pathway Description

Working with and caring for animals of all sizes; opportunities to work directly with animals or to work with products from animals.

Plant Systems

Fields

  • Agronomy
  • Plant Science
  • Commodity Marketing
  • Grounds Management
  • Horticulture / Green House Management
  • Landscape Design / Construction / Technology

Jobs

  • Agronomist / Soil & Plant Scientist:
    $73,200 - $94,400
  • Arborist / Tree Worker:
    $41,300 - $72,800
  • Operations Supervisor:
    $41,350 - $73,000
  • Landscaper:
    $27,000 - $45,350
  • Landscape Designer:
    $63,250 - $72,100

Pay

The median advertised salary in Minnesota for plant system occupations is about $44,850.

plant systems career pathways

Pathway Description

Study plants and how they impact our world. Feed our growing population; monitor food quality and safety; develop insect resistant crops; grow more food with less space; conserve natural resources.

Food Products and Processing Systems

Fields

  • Culinary Arts
  • Food Science
  • Accounting / Finance
  • Food Processing Safety
  • Food Service Management
  • Communications and Marketing

Jobs

  • Chef / Manager:
    $24,350 - $51,700
  • Food Scientist / Technologist:
    $77,800 - $123,150
  • Food / Consumer Safety Inspector:
    $49,350 - $69,450
  • Food Product Machine Operator:
    $23,150 - $28,000
  • Food Lab Technician:
    $31,800 - $43,450

Pay

The median advertised salary in Minnesota for food system occupations is about $49,300.

food products processing systems career pathways

Pathway Description

Study the physical, biological and chemical makeup of foods to improve food safety, create better processes, and enhance nutritional value and shelf-life: develop new flavors.

Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Career Cluster - May 2020

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Are you going in the right direction?

Explore a future career in Agriculture!

  • According to USDA/Purdue University Study Agricultural students make up about 1% of the total number of students enrolled in postsecondary education.

  • But there are 2x as many diverse job opportunities as there are qualified graduates to fill them!

  • According to AgCareers.com 59% of agricultural companies expect their workforce to increase in size in the next 2 years.

Agricultural Education

Top 3 Majors for two year programs

  • Horticulture
  • Ag Business
  • Ag Production/Operations

Top 3 Majors for four year programs

  • Animal Science
  • Ag Business
  • Food Science

Agriculture Is The Nation’s Largest Employer

with more than 23 Million Jobs [that’s 17% of the civilian workforce] involved in some facet of American agriculture.
(Data by National FFA Organization)

icon career pathways Agricultural Career Pathways

Critical Foundation Knowledge and Skills Identified by Employers:

Problem Solving - Ethics - Critical Thinking - Integrity - Teamwork - Technology Application - Safety, Health, & Environment - Organizational & Global Systems - Leadership - Cultural Competence - Lifelong Learning - Creativity - Communications - Innovation

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Nathan Hanel

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Natalie Compart

Call: 507-389-7301
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Brad Schloesser

Call: 507-389-7263
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