The work of the agriculture, food, and natural resources career cluster includes a diverse set of products and processes—from raising crops used in food and textile production to breeding livestock and hunting wild game; from mining ore below the earth to hazardous waste removal and wildlife conservation. This cluster also includes researching, marketing, and selling these products.
Agriculture is one of the oldest occupations of humankind, and essential to human survival. Early in the last century, 30% of the U.S. population lived on farms, while that figure is now less than 1%.
Today, corporations own approximately 5% of U.S. farms, with the remainder owned and operated by families. The “ag” sector includes managing soil, producing crops such as grains, fruits, and vegetables, as well as raising domestic animals for food.
The food sector encompasses activities related to processing, preparing, preserving, and packaging food—whether from raw materials or from combining existing products into new forms. The food industry continuously develops new products to keep up with consumers’ tastes—and influence them as well.
Activity in the natural resources sector relates to the study, use, and protection of Earth’s resources. Work to protect the environment is a growing area of this cluster, for example, recycling of goods, rehabilitating contaminated land sites or reducing air, water, and soil pollution. Mining, logging, and oil drilling are also part of natural resources.
Quick facts to know:
- Technology continues to improve agricultural efficiencies, for example geospatial mapping can be used to precisely target pesticides and fertilizers to zones producing poor crop yields.
- The agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting segments of this cluster employ a total of 1.3 million people, while the mining segment employs 675,000. Mining employment is projected to grow more rapidly than other segments of the cluster.
- Demand for paper and wood products is projected to slow in the next several years, reducing related employment demand.
- Renewable energy is growing faster than any other energy source in the U.S. Usage increased 100% between 2000 and 2018.
