Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Agriculture Instructor

🎯 Role Definition

As an Agriculture Instructor, you will design, deliver, and evaluate hands-on agricultural education that prepares secondary and post-secondary students for careers in farming, horticulture, animal science, agribusiness and related industries. You will develop standards-aligned curriculum, supervise applied learning in school farms/land labs and greenhouses, maintain equipment and safety systems, coordinate career and technical education (CTE) programming (including FFA/4‑H activities and internships), and build partnerships with industry and community stakeholders to ensure student readiness for work, certifications, and post-secondary pathways.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Agricultural Technician or Farm Assistant
Recent graduate with B.S. in Agricultural Education or related field (entry-level instructor)
Extension Agent or Cooperative Extension Program Assistant

Advancement To:

Lead Agriculture Instructor / Program Lead
CTE Coordinator / Department Chair - Agricultural Education
Agricultural Education Director or District Curriculum Specialist
Extension Specialist or Regional Program Manager

Lateral Moves:

Curriculum Developer / Instructional Designer for CTE
Agribusiness Training Specialist or Workforce Development Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Design, develop and implement comprehensive, standards‑aligned agricultural education curriculum (including seasonal unit plans for crop production, animal science, horticulture, soil science, and agribusiness) that integrates classroom instruction, lab-based learning and supervised agricultural experiences (SAE) to meet state standards and measurable student learning outcomes.
Plan and deliver engaging, interactive lessons using multiple instructional strategies (project-based learning, demonstrations, simulations, and blended learning) to accommodate diverse learning styles and improve student competency in agricultural concepts and technical skills.
Manage and operate on-campus land labs, greenhouses, animal facilities, and farm equipment by creating maintenance schedules, performing or delegating routine repairs, ensuring biosecurity, and documenting inventory to maintain a safe and productive learning environment.
Supervise and mentor students in hands-on experiential learning activities such as planting and harvesting, animal husbandry, greenhouse propagation, irrigation management, and equipment operation, ensuring adherence to safety protocols and proper use of PPE.
Prepare, administer and grade formative and summative assessments (lab reports, competency checklists, performance tasks, industry certification exams) and use data to inform differentiated instruction and continuous improvement of program outcomes.
Coordinate and lead FFA (Future Farmers of America), 4‑H or similar student organizations, including chapter meetings, career development events (CDEs), leadership development, competitive teams, and award submissions to foster student leadership, employability skills and community engagement.
Develop and manage program budgets, procure supplies and equipment, solicit donations, and partner with industry sponsors to maximize resources and sustain experiential learning infrastructure.
Establish and maintain partnerships with local farms, agribusinesses, postsecondary institutions and workforce development organizations to coordinate field trips, job shadows, internships, apprenticeships and dual-enrollment opportunities that connect students to career pathways.
Train students in proper pesticide handling and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles where applicable, maintain pesticide application records and ensure compliance with local, state and federal regulations regarding chemical storage, application and certification requirements.
Facilitate career and college advising for students, including resume review, interview preparation, industry credentialing guidance (NCCER, OSHA, state pesticide licenses), and placement assistance to improve post-graduation employment and enrollment metrics.
Develop and implement safety programs, emergency response plans and equipment operation protocols (including lockout/tagout procedures) and conduct regular safety trainings, drills, and inspections to create a culture of safety in all lab and field activities.
Create and maintain accurate student records, attendance, SAE documentation, FFA records, grant reporting materials and assessment data in accordance with district and accreditation requirements.
Write, submit and manage grants, sponsorship proposals and fundraising campaigns to expand program offerings, update equipment and support student competitions and travel.
Integrate technology into instruction using learning management systems (LMS), digital agronomy tools, precision agriculture displays, GIS mapping, data loggers and online assessment platforms to teach modern ag techniques and data-driven decision making.
Develop, implement and evaluate work-based learning and cooperative education programs that align employer needs with student competencies, including creating employer agreements, training plans, and competency validations.
Lead community outreach and public relations efforts to promote the agricultural program, showcase student projects, coordinate farm-to-school initiatives and recruit new students and stakeholders through events, social media and community partnerships.
Conduct small-scale applied research or demonstration projects (variety trials, soil health experiments, hydroponics trials) and use results to inform curriculum, improve student research skills and share findings with the school community and local agriculture stakeholders.
Mentor and evaluate student teachers, paraprofessionals and volunteers by providing instructional coaching, feedback on classroom management and opportunities for co-teaching to build staff capacity.
Ensure program compliance with state certification/licensure requirements for CTE and agricultural education, maintain professional certifications and stay current with changes in curriculum standards and industry best practices.
Organize, supervise and evaluate student participation in local, regional and state competitions and exhibitions (livestock shows, crop competitions, floral design contests) including logistics, coaching, safety, and procurement of necessary equipment and supplies.
Manage procurement, storage and disposal of agricultural supplies and hazardous materials in accordance with district policies and environmental regulations to minimize risk and ensure legal compliance.
Collaborate with curriculum specialists, counselors and special education staff to adapt agricultural instruction and SAE experiences for students with diverse needs, ensuring equitable access to hands-on learning and accommodations as required.

Secondary Functions

Support program assessment and continuous improvement by collecting and analyzing student outcome data, employer feedback and post-graduation placement rates.
Contribute to district-level curriculum committees and advisory boards to align agricultural programs with workforce needs and accreditation standards.
Assist in district recruitment and outreach efforts for CTE pathways, open houses and community education programs.
Provide professional development workshops for peers on instructional strategies, safety protocols and emerging agricultural technologies.
Participate in grant writing and program evaluation to secure external funding and measure impact.
Maintain and update online course materials and digital resources to enhance remote or hybrid instruction capability.
Facilitate alumni networks and employer advisory meetings to gather input on curriculum relevance and local labor market trends.
Coordinate transportation, chaperones and risk assessments for off-site learning experiences and industry site visits.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Curriculum development for agricultural education aligned to state standards and CTE frameworks.
Classroom and experiential instruction skills across plant science, animal science, soil science, horticulture and agribusiness.
Operation, maintenance and safety of farm equipment (tractors, loaders, mowers) and greenhouse systems.
Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program coordination and documentation.
Experience with FFA/4‑H chapter management, competitive event preparation and leadership development.
Pesticide safety knowledge and ability to support student preparation for pesticide applicator certification (state-specific).
Grant writing, budget management and procurement for educational programs.
Use of Learning Management Systems (Google Classroom, Canvas, Schoology) and educational technology.
Familiarity with precision agriculture tools, GIS mapping basics, soil testing and data loggers.
Student assessment design (rubrics, competency checklists, performance-based assessments) and data-driven instructional adjustments.
OSHA/industry safety compliance and emergency response planning for lab/field settings.
Recordkeeping systems for student records, SAE logs and regulatory reporting.

Soft Skills

Strong verbal and written communication for instruction, stakeholder outreach and grant narratives.
Classroom and behavior management with proven strategies for diverse secondary and adult learner populations.
Leadership and team-building to coordinate staff, volunteers, industry partners and student teams.
Mentoring and coaching skills to guide students, student teachers and apprenticeship participants.
Problem-solving and troubleshooting in fast-paced, outdoor and lab environments.
Organizational skills for managing multiple learning sites, equipment inventories and event logistics.
Cultural competency and adaptability to serve diverse communities and learners.
Collaboration and relationship-building with employers, extension agents and postsecondary partners.
Time management and prioritization to balance classroom, fieldwork and administrative duties.
Commitment to continuous professional learning and application of industry innovations.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Education, Agriculture, Animal Science, Horticulture, Agribusiness or closely related field; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant industry experience.

Preferred Education:

Master’s degree in Agricultural Education, Curriculum & Instruction, or a related agricultural discipline.
Valid teaching credential or occupational/CTE certification in agricultural education (state-specific).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Agricultural Education
Agronomy / Crop Science
Animal Science / Livestock Management
Horticulture / Plant Science
Agribusiness Management
Soil Science / Environmental Science

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2–5 years of relevant experience in agriculture operations, agronomy, animal husbandry or vocational teaching; experience supervising student work or internships preferred.

Preferred:

3–7+ years of combined classroom teaching and hands-on agricultural experience, proven success running a school farm/land lab or extension program, experience with FFA/4‑H leadership, and documented success in securing grants or industry partnerships.
Required or preferred state teaching certification, pesticide applicator license, CPR/First Aid certification and valid driver’s license where applicable.