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What To Learn

High School

What high school courses should you take if you're interested in this career? Get your answers from the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources cluster Agribusiness Systems pathway, Animal Systems pathway.

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If you're interested in poultry farming, you might consider getting a degree in poultry science and working for one of the large poultry companies. They're looking for people with the right educational backgrounds.

"It's sort of slim pickings. The companies like to hire people with poultry science degrees and they're getting harder and harder to find," says Richard Lobb. He is the director of communications for the National Chicken Council (NCC). If you're interested in agriculture and business, "poultry is a great way to go," he says.

"The companies in some places, such as Arkansas, offer scholarship money to promising young people," Lobb says. He suggests exploring animal science programs. That's because in some places, poultry science departments are being rolled into animal science departments.

Growing up on a family farm and participating in agricultural programs are important sources of training for those interested in agriculture. National Future Farmers of America or 4-H youth programs offer great exposure to agricultural activities.

Modern farming requires increasingly complex scientific, business and financial decisions. Even people raised on farms must have strong educational backgrounds.

Good high school training includes mathematics and science. Completion of a two-year or four-year program at a college of agriculture is recommended.