Requirements September 1987 until January 1995

1. Briefly describe the work done by professionals in each of these agribusiness areas: production agriculture (farming and ranching), agricultural education, soil and water conservation, agricultural economics, agricultural engineering, animal science, entomology, agronomy, food technology.

2. Make a list of at least 10 different kinds of agribusinesses in your community, or other businesses that are involved with agriculture in some way.

3. Visit at least one of the following:

(a) A farm, ranch, of feedlot
(b) A high school or community college agriculture class
(c) The local office of the Cooperation Extension Service
(d) The local Soil Conservation Service office

Have a list of questions ready. Ask what the farmer, rancher, agricultural science teacher, county agent, or conservationist does. Find out how the work of the person visited relates to the production of food and fiber.

4. Visit at least one of the following:

(a) Agricultural experiment station field test plot
(c) The animal science, plant science, or entomology department of a local university
(d) A floriculture/horticulture test garden, field laboratory, or greenhouse

Have a list of questions ready. Find out how agricultural research contributes to farm productivity. Ask the scientists and technicians you meet about their work.

5. Visit at least one of the following:

(a) Federal land bank, production credit association, or other financial institution involved in financial institution involved in financing agricultural
(b) Agricultural equipment and supply dealer
(c) Farmer’s cooperative
(d) Grain elevator or cotton gin
(e) Livestock auction barn
(f) Foreign market developer or exporter

Have a list of questions ready. Find out how the products or services offered by the business help farmers and ranchers grow or market food and fiber. Ask the people you meet how they got started in the business.

6. Visit at least one of the following:

(a) Food processing or manufacturing plant
(b) Textile factory
(c) Food warehouse or distribution center
(d) Food transportation company
(e) Retail food store
(f) Restaurant

Have a list of questions ready. Ask the owner or manager to describe the movement of agricultural products to and from the facility. Find out what form the products are in when they arrive and how they are handled at the facility.

7. Do the following:

(a) Choose a food or fiber of animal origin such as meat, milk, or wool. Draw a chart showing how the product gets from the farm or ranch to the consumer or foreign export market. Trace the steps required to produce, market, process, and distribute the product. Briefly tell how agribusiness workers are involved at each step.
(b) Do the same for a food or fiber of plant origin such as a grain, a fruit or vegetable, or cotton.

8. Choose a profession in agribusiness that interest you. Do ONE of the following:

(a) Write a report of a least 500 words on how you would prepare for the job and what kind of work you would do.
(b) Tell your troop or team about the area of agribusiness that interests you. Describe the training required and the work done by professionals in that field.