Duplin County Schools

DUPLIN AGRIBUSINESS ACADEMY

Duplin County Schools

James Sprunt Community College

What is Agriculture

The science, art, or practice of cultivating the soil, producing crops, and raising livestock and in varying degrees the preparation and marketing of the resulting products. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/agriculture

About the Agribusiness Academy

The Duplin Agribusiness Academy is a unique program for Duplin County Schools and James Sprunt Community College students in agriculture education that provides college and career readiness. Students have several pathway options that lead to an associate’s degree in agriculture or allows for college transfer credits to major universities.

Pathways at James Sprunt Community College

Students have the opportunity of four pathways (1-Agribusiness, 2-Applied Animal Science, 3-Swine Management, and 4-Viticulture and Enology) that could lead to an associate’s degree in agriculture and one pathway that allows for college transfer to major universities. 

 Benefits of Duplin Agribusiness Academy

Here are some benefits of the Agribusiness Academy are as follows:  Networking with agribusiness professionals in the community, summer programs (STEM Camp), Tours and fields trips, Job shadowing and internship opportunities, Volunteer service, Career preparation (resume building and interview skills), and College level course credit.  Students are required to maintain a minimum of 3.0 weighted GPA, complete a minimum of 25 hours of volunteer service each year, successfully complete all courses required by the Agribusiness Academy by the end of their senior year, maintain a respectful and professional manner that is representative of a future agribusiness professional and inform the Agribusiness Academy in writing if they no longer wish to participate in the program.

 Why a career in agriculture?

The agriculture industry has changed drastically in the last 30 years in order to meet the needs of a rapidly growing population. The implementation of technology has greatly affected the way agriculture serves the world. Careers in agriculture range from marketing, animal care, engineering, crop science, food science, nutrition, and beyond. There are thousands of agricultural job opportunities available on an annual basis, which need highly skilled employees. Skills acquired through high school education, internships, work-based learning and college education are valued by employers in agriculture.  

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10 Reasons Why Agriculture is Important.

10 Reasons Why Agriculture Is Important

by Emmaline Soken-Huberty 

Civilization began with agriculture, and though humanity has changed significantly, agriculture still remains very important. In certain countries, its significance is more obvious, but the reality is that every country in the world depends on agriculture for one thing or another. Here are ten reasons why agriculture is important:

1. It’s the main source of raw materials

Many raw materials, whether it’s cotton, sugar, wood, or palm oil, come from agriculture. These materials are essential to major industries in ways many people aren’t even aware of, such as the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, diesel fuel, plastic, and more. In fact, raw materials are so important in production that the economic health of a country strongly depends on how many raw materials it possesses.

2. It’s important to international trade

Raw materials from agriculture make up a huge portion of what’s traded internationally. Countries with plenty of those supplies export them and trade for materials they don’t have. If a country’s agriculture suffers for some reason, prices can go up and it disrupts the flow of trade. 

3. It plays a big role in a nation’s revenue

Speaking of trade, developing countries still get most of their national income from agricultural exports. While developed countries don’t depend on agriculture as much as they used to, their economies would definitely take a hit if all exports suddenly stopped.

4. It provides employment

The agricultural industry is still one of the biggest sources of employment and in many areas, it’s actually booming.  Whether it’s working as a farmer, harvester, technician for farm equipment, scientist, and so on, there are plenty of jobs available in this field. In developing countries, agricultural jobs help reduce high rates of unemployment. When it comes to reducing poverty, evidence shows that focusing on agriculture is significantly more effective than investing in other areas.ime -5:27

5. It’s crucial to a country’s development

Economic development is tied to a country’s agriculture sector. When trade, national revenue, and employment are combined in a positive way, a country enjoys reduced poverty and boosted economic growth. Because strong agriculture results in benefits fairly quickly, focusing on it is one of the best ways to speed up development and improve a country’s standing in the world.

6. It can help heal the environment 

Agriculture possesses the power to harm or heal. When farmers prioritize biodiversity on their land, it benefits the earth. Having more biodiversity results in healthier soil, less erosion, better water conservation, and healthier pollinators. This is all good news for the environment as a whole, making agriculture an important part of the cycle of life.

7. It goes hand-in-hand with war

Agriculture is such an important part of a country’s infrastructure, it makes sense it would impact conflicts and war. Throughout history, the need for land to grow food fueled many conflicts. In more modern times, specifically WWI, America’s farming industry boomed because they needed to supply Europe with agricultural products. For countries who don’t have assistance, war can break down the agricultural sector, affecting people for decades to come. When discussing agriculture, it’s impossible to not at least mention its connection to conflict.

8. It’s the source of our food supply

Arguably the most important aspect of agriculture is that it’s the source of the world’s food supply. No matter where or what you are eating, the ingredients in your meals came from somewhere. All roads lead to agriculture. In countries dealing with food insecurity and severe malnourishment, it’s because their agriculture sectors are suffering. When agriculture thrives, fewer people go hungry.

9. It drives innovation in technology

Because healthy agriculture is so essential to a country’s well-being, it’s been the setting of some of the most exciting innovations in technology. Through artificial intelligence, blockchain software, gene manipulation, and more, scientists and farmers have been figuring out ways to increase crop productivity, use less water, and reduce negative impacts on the environment. For scientists and tech companies, agribusiness is one of the most fascinating and productive fields to work in.

10. The state of agriculture reflects our future

When it comes to pollution and climate change, the environment and agriculture suffer the quickest and with the most clear consequences.  If effective changes aren’t made, climate change’s impact on agriculture will decimate a country’s economy and eventually wipe out the food supply. To get a better idea about where humanity is going to end up, look at agriculture. What’s being done to adapt to a rapidly-changing climate? What will our food supply look like? The state of agriculture is a good litmus test of what we can expect the future to look like.

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Contact Information:

Ms. Artheresa Best, MBA

Duplin County Schools

STEAMA Agricultural Innovation Administrator  

Email: ABEST@DUPLINSCHOOLS.NET

Cell: 910-381-7330

Fax:  910-296-2584

The End of Year Awards are presented on the following link: 2020-2021 End of Year Awards