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FFA students with pigs at the Ft. Lupton Campus

Agricultural Education

Earn an Agricultural Education Associate Degree

Become a crucial part of America’s agriculture system by helping fill the current demand for agriculture educators. Combine your passions for teaching and agriculture by pursuing an ag education degree at Aims. An agricultural education associate degree prepares you for a career as a classroom teacher, extension educator or agribusiness trainer. 

This liberal arts degree with designation program is designed for students who want to transfer to a participating public Colorado four-year school to pursue a bachelor’s degree. Earn the first two years of credit toward your four-year degree at Aims at a fraction of the cost. You can also graduate with this degree from Aims and choose to immediately enter the workforce.

Explore your interest in livestock, soil and crop science, machining and welding, human nutrition or all of the above. Gain hands-on experience in both agriculture and education from a top Colorado agricultural school that won the award for Outstanding Postsecondary Agriculture Program from the National Association of Agricultural Educators. Aims Community College was chosen for this award over other schools in Colorado, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas, including the top four-year universities in those states.

Help Shape the Next Generation of Agriculture Professionals

Aims Degree Video - Agricultural Sciences and Technology - Education

Amy McFarland, chair of the agricultural sciences department at Aims, explains how an ag education degree prepares you for a fulfilling career.

Learn the Skills to Become an Agricultural Educator

An agricultural education associate degree from Aims prepares you for work in this high-demand field. You’ll graduate with the skills to work with livestock, agricultural machinery, horticulture and nutrition with a strong grounding in education. 

When you earn an ag education degree at Aims, you’ll gain the skills to teach the next generation of agricultural professionals in subjects including:

  • Fundamental livestock production
  • Production and adaptation of cultivated crops
  • Formation and management of soil
  • Basic agricultural mechanical skills

In your other core classes, gain professional skills including clear and effective written and oral communication, critical thinking and problem-solving. 

Launch Your Career in Agricultural Education

With a growing world population, the demands of an expanding food system require more agricultural educators to teach the skills needed for various agricultural careers. An ag education degree from Aims teaches the technical and interpersonal skills you’ll need to transfer and earn a bachelor’s degree at a participating public four-year school. After that, you can enter the field prepared to succeed as an agricultural educator.

The Aims agricultural education program is based at the Fort Lupton campus in the heart of the Weld County farm and ranch region of northern Colorado. Your experienced instructors are connected to the industry and can help prepare you for a variety of positions. 

Examples of careers you can pursue with an ag education degree include:

  • Middle or high school agriculture teacher
  • Middle school science teacher
  • Community college agriculture instructor
  • Education specialist, botanical gardens
  • Agricultural sales, agricultural biotech and crop protection companies
  • Crop protection consultant
  • Environmental specialist, water quality
  • Farmer, production agriculture
  • Poultry technician
  • Residential landscaping
  • Manager, swine facility
  • Manager, retail nursery
  • Turf management specialist
  • Regional representative, a major grocery chain
"In the past, we've had more than 60 jobs across the nation go unfilled for ag educators. So to students who are coming into this role: We need you."
--Amy McFarland, Agricultural Sciences and Technology Department

Agricultural Education Faculty & Staff

Instructors at Aims are experienced in many areas of agriculture and can provide real-world insight to help you put your degree to work. They’re enthusiastic about teaching and want to help the next generation of educators grow into their roles. Small class sizes mean you’ll receive plenty of individual instruction and the chance to build relationships with teachers that can last a lifetime.

  • Headshot of Amy McFarland

    Amy McFarland

    Department Chair, Agriculture
  • Headshot of Cassandra Anderson

    Cassandra Anderson

    Part-Time: Faculty, Agriculture
  • Headshot of Jason French

    Jason French

    Part-Time: Faculty, Agriculture
  • Headshot of Lynn Ingegneri

    Lynn Ingegneri

    Part-Time: Lab Coordinator I, Agriculture Sciences
  • Headshot of David Swieter

    David Swieter

    Part-Time: Professional Equipment Mechanic, Automotive
  • Megan Blaser headshot

    Megan Blaser

    Department Coordinator, Agriculture & Technology
  • Linda Richardson headshot

    Linda Richardson

    Staff Associate, Business & Technology