Our mission:
Agricultural Education prepares students for employment and/or continuing education opportunities in agriculture through technical instruction in the classroom, experiential education through the laboratory and Supervised Agricultural Experience Program (SAEP), and
leadership and personal development through the FFA.

CAREERS IN AGRICULTURE
Agriculture is the nation’s largest employer, generating approximately 20% of our nation’s gross national product and 20% of our national employment. However, 10% of today’s professional jobs in agriculture go unfilled because of a lack of qualified graduates. As the demand increases for agricultural products, so does the demand for qualified individuals. Careers in agriculture include, but are not limited to:

Plant and Soil Science: Farmer, Geneticist, Soil and Water Specialist
Animal Science: Rancher,Veterinarian, Animal Nutritionist
Ornamental Horticulture: Golf Course Superintendent, Greenhouse/Nursery Operator
Natural Resources and Forestry: Range Management, Wildlife Management
Agricultural Mechanics: Mechanic, Technician, Welder/Machinist
Agriculture Business: Loan Officer, Sales, Feed/Seed/Supplies Store Owner/Operator

Our vision is to see that all students have an appreciation for agriculture and the environment and that Agricultural Education students develop essential career preparation skills through technical and experiential education, as well as personal leadership opportunities.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP ORGANIZATION
FFA is the student leadership organization for Agricultural Education. FFA is an integral and necessary component of the overall program. FFA is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of young people by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.

• Nationally there are 476,732 members in 7,752 chapters.
• Utah has 3,190 members in 65 chapters.
• Approximately 35% of the FFA membership is female.
  www.ffa.org

NATIONAL RECOGNITION
In the past ten years, Utah FFA members have been recognized for individual accomplishment in agricultural proficiency in record numbers. Thirty-eight Utah students have been recognized as national finalists in the agricultural proficiency award area, of whom ten were selected as national winners. When compared with states like Wisconsin, California, and Texas, who have larger student populations, and whose agricultural base greatly exceeds Utah’s production, Utah students compete very well, and in some cases exceed what these larger states are able to do.

SUPERVISED AGRICULTURAL EXPERIENCE PROGRAM
The SAEP is an integral and necessary component of the overall program. Through this program, students apply in real-life situations the concepts that they learn in the classroom and the laboratory.

CAREER PREPARATION/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Through the Agricultural Education program, students learn how to become productive employees and gain the academic skills to increase their earning potential while still in high school.

• In 2003-2004, fifty-seven students earned the American FFA Degree. To receive this recognition students must have earned and invested at least $7,500 in an SAEP. This group reported total earnings of $1,201,925 for an average of $21,086 per student. Over the past eight years this premier group of 328 students has reported total earnings of $9,694,335.
• In 2003-2004, one hundred and eighty-one students earned the State FFA Degree, requiring that students earn and invest at least $1,000 in an SAEP. This group reported total earnings of $1,977,240 for an average of $10,924 per student.
• In 2003-2004, the combined total earnings for the American and State FFA Degree recipients were $3,179,165. This group of students represents just 7.5% of Utah’s FFA membership, and 2.5% of the total number of students enrolled in Agricultural Education classes.
• In 2003-2004, 2,724 students attained a substantial or sufficient level on the Agricultural Education competency skill certificate tests, of which 1,772 demonstrated substantial skill at 80% or above. Student performance must be demonstrated in class as part of the skill certificate process.

SAMPLING OF COURSES OFFERED

STATE AND LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS
Circle Four Farms
Gossner Foods, Inc.
Moroni Feed Company
Utah Beef Council
Utah Dairy Council
Utah Department of Agriculture and Food
Utah Department of National Resources
Utah Farm Bureau Federation

Updated March 31, 2008