Agriculture & Natural Resources
Agriculture & Natural Resources Career Pathway
This pathway gives students hands-on experience with crops, floriculture, beef cattle, goats and horses. Since Milton Hershey included agricultural instruction in the Deed of Trust, this is one of the most historic pathways offered. Learn more about Milton Hershey School’s Agriculture and Natural Resources career pathway.
Coursework
Agriculture has a rich history at MHS. Founders Milton and Catherine Hershey included agricultural instruction in the Deed of Trust when establishing the school. Since then, teaching methods have evolved to support current practices, address modern challenges, and infuse science-based learning so students have the skills to pursue 21st century agriculture careers.
Today’s Agriculture and Natural Resources classes at MHS embrace CASE—a national curriculum designed to establish a structured sequence of agricultural, food, and natural resource science courses that are both rigorous and relevant—and are aligned with the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) focus of the school’s Agricultural and Environmental Education (AEE) program.
The pathway provides students with hands-on, student-centered lessons and experiences with aeroponics, hydroponics, crops, orchards, floriculture, and animals. Students are prepared for careers that involve the production, processing, marketing, distribution, financing, and development of agricultural commodities and resources.
Growth through Active Learning
This active-learning exposure increases students’ environmental and agricultural literacy, as well as their career opportunities and postsecondary preparation in agri-business—an industry currently growing by more than 5 percent.*
Students in this career path also have the option to participate in the AEE program’s student-run Project Market and after-school activities like 4-H and Future Farmers of America.
“This internship gives me a glimpse at what I want in a future career. There’s college, but you need real-life experience, too—this is giving me that.”
Nate Gourley ’18
on his internship at the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
Setting Students Up for Success
With an on-campus environmental center and acres of natural resources, students get a firsthand look at the agriculture industry.
Core Skills
- Work ethic
- Ability to work with heavy machinery
- Interest in environmental sciences
Future Career Options
- Conservation officer
- Veterinarian
- Environmental scientist
Certification Options
- 10 Industry-recognized certifications
- Career Safe® OSHA General Industry Agriculture
- Pennsylvania Boating Safety course
- Youth for the Quality Care of Animals
Learn more about Milton Hershey School’s Career and Technical Education program and its 12 distinct CTE career pathways.
*Employment Opportunities for College Graduates in Food, Agriculture, Renewable Natural Resources, and the Environment, United States, 2015-2020 by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture and Purdue University