Growing Forward

Organizations to Consider Joining

Getting involved in agriculture organizations is a great way to build skills, gain leadership experience, and connect with mentors and peers. Here are some strong options for young adults exploring the future of ag:

FFA (National FFA Organization)

• Focuses on leadership, career development, and hands-on agricultural education.

• Offers events, competitions, scholarships, and supervised agricultural experiences.

• Great for building confidence, communication, and industry connections.

4-H

• Youth development program centered on hands-on projects in agriculture, STEM, leadership, and community service.

• Known for building responsibility, teamwork, and practical skills.

• Offers county fairs, competitions, and leadership opportunities.

AFA (Agriculture Future of America)

• College-level leadership development for students pursuing agriculture careers.

• Offers conferences, scholarships, internships, and industry mentorship.

• Connects young adults with ag companies, professionals, and career pathways.

MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences)

• National organization advancing diversity and inclusion in agriculture.

• Supports leadership development, career readiness, and networking.

• Open to students of all backgrounds seeking a supportive agricultural community.

Young Farmers & Ranchers (Farm Bureau)

• For early-career farmers, ranchers, and ag professionals.

• Provides leadership programs, policy involvement, conferences, and training.

• Great for those interested in production agriculture or ag advocacy.

AgChat or Ag Communicators Networks

• Groups supporting up-and-coming professionals in agriculture communications.

• Offers learning, networking, and storytelling opportunities.

Collegiate Agriculture Clubs

Many colleges offer:

• Agronomy clubs

• Horticulture clubs

• Ag business clubs

• Soil & crop science societies These provide field experience, competitions, and industry networking.

Local Extension Programs

• County extension offices often offer youth programs, workshops, competitions, and agriculture learning opportunities.

• Great for hands-on skills and introductions to local ag communities.

Career Pathways in Agriculture

Exploring a future in agriculture opens doors to a wide range of careers—from hands-on fieldwork to cutting-edge technology, sustainability, and business. Here are key pathways young adults can consider.

Crop Science

What You’ll Do: Study how crops grow, test new plant varieties, support yield improvements, and help solve real-world challenges in the field.Skills Needed: Plant science, observation, data collection, problem-solving, attention to detail.

Agronomy

What You’ll Do: Work directly with growers to recommend crop inputs, diagnose field issues, and optimize production.Skills Needed: Field scouting, communication, crop management knowledge, critical thinking.

Precision Agriculture

What You’ll Do: Use drones, digital tools, sensors, GPS, and mapping software to improve efficiency and sustainability on the farm.Skills Needed: Technology operation, data analysis, GIS tools, troubleshooting.

Agribusiness

What You’ll Do: Support the business side of agriculture through marketing, finance, supply chain, sales, or operations.Skills Needed: Communication, analytics, teamwork, business fundamentals.

Research & Development

What You’ll Do: Conduct trials, run lab tests, analyze data, and help develop new products and technologies.Skills Needed: Lab techniques, scientific method, data analysis, curiosity, accuracy.

Sustainability & Conservation

What You’ll Do: Work on soil health, water conservation, biodiversity, regenerative agriculture, and environmental impact.Skills Needed: Environmental science, critical thinking, long-term planning, data interpretation.

Agricultural Communications

What You’ll Do: Share stories from the field, create content, support education, manage social media, or work with ag organizations to connect with communities.Skills Needed: Writing, storytelling, creativity, digital media skills, public speaking.

Agriculture Technology

What You’ll Do: Build or support tools such as robotics, software, equipment, and precision ag innovations that farmers use daily.Skills Needed: Tech literacy, problem-solving, coding basics (optional), systems thinking.

Sales & Field Support

What You’ll Do: Work with growers and retailers to provide product knowledge, answer questions, and help solve field challenges.Skills Needed: Communication, relationship building, agronomy knowledge, customer service.

Agricultural Marketing

What You’ll Do: Promote agricultural products, build campaigns, manage brand storytelling, work with growers and retailers, and support communication between ag companies and their audiences.Skills Needed: Creativity, writing, digital marketing, analytics, branding, communication, and project management.

Regulatory Affairs

What You’ll Do: Ensure agricultural products meet safety, environmental, and government regulations. Review data, assist with documentation, and support product registration.Skills Needed: Attention to detail, organization, scientific understanding, analytical thinking.

Government & Public Policy

What You’ll Do: Work with governmental agencies or advocacy groups to influence ag policies, support farmer programs, shape regulations, and promote sustainable agriculture.Skills Needed: Policy knowledge, communication, research, critical thinking, public speaking.

Legal & Compliance

What You’ll Do: Specialize in agriculture-related law, including environmental regulations, land use, contracts, food safety, and product compliance.Skills Needed: Legal research, writing, problem-solving, understanding of regulatory frameworks.

Ag Science & Laboratory Careers

What You’ll Do: Conduct lab research, test samples, study plant or soil health, support product development, and analyze scientific data.Skills Needed: Lab techniques, scientific method, data analysis, precision, curiosity.

Plant & Soil Scientists

What You’ll Do: Study plant growth, soil composition, nutrient management, and crop systems to support sustainable agriculture.Skills Needed: Biology, chemistry, soil science, research, data interpretation.

Food Science & Quality Assurance

What You’ll Do: Ensure food safety, test product quality, work with processing plants, and support innovations in food production.Skills Needed: Food science, microbiology, attention to detail, lab skills, documentation.

Environmental & Natural Resources Careers

What You’ll Do: Focus on water quality, wildlife protection, land management, conservation planning, or environmental compliance.Skills Needed: Environmental science, fieldwork, data collection, problem-solving.

Emerging & Future-Focused Ag Careers

What You’ll Do: Work in innovative fields shaping the future of agriculture, such as:

• Vertical farming

• Regenerative agriculture

• Controlled-environment agriculture (CEA)

• Robotics & autonomous equipment

• Data science & AI for agriculture

• Climate-smart agriculture

Skills Needed: Adaptability, tech literacy, creative thinking, problem-solving.

Whether you're exploring your first internship, applying for an ag program, or stepping into an early-career role, these tips will help you create a strong, clear, and professional resume tailored to the agriculture industry.

Kick-start your career journey with confidence.
Our Resume Tips for Future Ag Professionals PDF breaks down what employers look for—clear structure, strong storytelling, and the skills that set you apart in modern agriculture.

At Valent, we care deeply about supporting the next generation of growers, innovators, and problem-solvers. That’s why we’re sharing tools to help you grow forward with purpose.

Download the Resume Advice PDF and start building a resume that reflects your potential.

Ready to make an impact in the future of agriculture?
At Valent U.S.A., we’re always looking for curious, driven problem-solvers who want to help shape a more sustainable world. From field research and agronomy to marketing, technology, and sustainability, a career at Valent opens the door to meaningful work—and a team that truly cares about your growth.

Explore career opportunities at Valent and see where your path can grow next.