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Statewide Program of Study: Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems — Page 1�

Revised–May 2024

Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Career Cluster

The Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR) career cluster focuses on the essential elements of life, food, water, land, and air. This career cluster includes occupations ranging from farmer, rancher, and veterinarian to geologist, land conservationist, and florist.

Statewide Program of Study: Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems

The Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems program of study focuses on occupational and educational opportunities associated with applying engineering technology and biological science to agricultural problems related to power and machinery, electrification, structures, soil and water use, and processing agricultural products. This program of study includes diagnosing, repairing, or overhauling farm machinery and vehicles, such as tractors, harvesters, dairy equipment, and irrigation systems.

Secondary Courses for High School Credit

Level 1

  • Principles of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources

Level 2

  • Agricultural Mechanics and Metal Technologies 

Level 3

  • Agricultural Structures Design and Fabrication
  • Agricultural Power Systems

Level 4

  • Agricultural Equipment Design and Fabrication
  • Career and Technology Project-Based Capstone
  • Career Preparation for Programs of Study
  • Career Preparation for Programs of Study + Extended Career Preparation
  • Scientific Research and Design

Aligned Advanced Academic Courses

Dual Credit

Dual credit offerings will vary by local education agency.

Students should be advised to consider these course opportunities to enrich their preparation. AP or IB courses not listed under the Secondary Courses for High School Credit section of this framework document do not count towards concentrator/completer status for this program of study.

Work-Based Learning and Expanded Learning Opportunities

Work-Based Learning Activities

  • Participate in a farm mechanic apprenticeship at an equipment production company
  • Intern at an equipment manufacturing facility working with agricultural engineers

Expanded Learning Opportunities

  • Participate in an FFA career, leadership, and speaking contest like an agriscience fair
  • Participate in an agriculture robotics event

Aligned Industry-Based Certifications

  • AWS D1.1 Structural Steel
  • AWS D9.1 Sheet Metal Welding

Example Postsecondary Opportunities

Apprenticeships

  • Farm Equipment Mechanic I

Associate Degrees

  • Diesel Mechanics Technology
  • Industrial Mechanics and Maintenance Technology

Bachelor’s Degrees

  • Agricultural Engineering
  • Agricultural Systems Management

Master’s, Doctoral, and Professional Degrees

  • Agricultural Engineering
  • Industrial Technology

Additional Stackable IBCs/License

  • Diesel Equipment Technology-Off Highway Specialization CER1
  • Accredited Farm Manager

Example Aligned Occupations

Agricultural Technology �and Mechanical Systems

Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians

Median Wage: $46,582

Annual Openings: 326

10-Year Growth: 23%

Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics

Median Wage: $57,943

Annual Openings: 2,637

10-Year Growth: 31%�

Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers

Median Wage: $65,490

Annual Openings: 28,020

10-Year Growth: 4%

Successful completion of the Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems program of study will fulfill requirements of the Business and Industry endorsement.

Data Source: TexasWages, Texas Workforce Commission. Retrieved 3/8/2024.

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Statewide Program of Study: Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems — Page 2�

Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Career Cluster

Statewide Program of Study: Agricultural Technology �and Mechanical Systems

Course Information

Level 1

Course

Prerequisites | Corequisites   

Career Clusters

Principles of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources*

13000200 (1 credit)

Prerequisites: None�Corequisites: None

Recommended Prerequisites: None

Recommended Corequisites: None

1. Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

Level 2

Course

Prerequisites | Corequisites  

Career Clusters

Agricultural Mechanics and Metal Technologies

13002200 (1 credit)

Prerequisites: None�Corequisites: None

Recommended Prerequisites: Principles of AFNR

Recommended Corequisites: None

1. Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

Level 3

Course

Prerequisites | Corequisites

Career Clusters

Agricultural Structures Design and Fabrication

13002300 (1 credit)

Prerequisites: None

Corequisites: None

Recommended Prerequisites: Agricultural Mechanics and Metal Technologies

Recommended Corequisites: None

Agricultural Power Systems

13002400 (2 credits)

Prerequisites: None

Corequisites: None

Recommended Prerequisites: Principles of AFNR

Recommended Corequisites: None

1. Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

* Indicates course is included in more than one program of study.

For additional information on the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources career cluster, �contact cte@tea.texas.gov or visit https://tea.texas.gov/cte 

[LEA name] does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or disability in its programs or activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: [title], [address], [telephone number], [email]. Further nondiscrimination information can be found at Notification of Nondiscrimination in Career and Technical Education Programs.

Agricultural Technology �and Mechanical Systems

Course

Prerequisites | Corequisites

Career Clusters

Agricultural Equipment Design and Fabrication

13002350 (1 credit)

Prerequisites: None

Corequisites: None

Recommended Prerequisites: Agricultural Mechanics and Metal Technologies

Recommended Corequisites: None

1. Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

Career and Technical Education Project-Based Capstone*

First Time Taken:

12701101 (1 credit)

Prerequisites: None

Corequisites: None

Recommended Prerequisites: None

Recommended Corequisites: None

1. Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

Continued on next page

Level 4

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Statewide Program of Study: Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems — Page 4�

Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Career Cluster

Statewide Program of Study: Agricultural Technology �and Mechanical Systems

Course Information

Level 4

Course

Prerequisites | Corequisites

Career Clusters

Career Preparation for Programs of Study*

First Time Taken:

12701121 (2 credits)

Prerequisites: At least one Level 2

or higher CTE course

Corequisites: None

Recommended Prerequisites: None

Recommended Corequisites: None

Career Preparation for Programs of Study + Extended Career Preparation*

First Time Taken:

12701141 (3 credits)

Prerequisites: At least one Level 2

or higher CTE course

Corequisites: None

Recommended Prerequisites: None

Recommended Corequisites: None

1. Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

2. Business, Marketing, and Finance

3. Education and Training

4. Energy

5. Health Science

6. Human Services

7. Information Technology

8. Law and Public Service

Scientific Research�and Design*

13037200 (1 credit)

Prerequisites: Biology, Chemistry, Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC), or Physics�Corequisites: None

Recommended Prerequisites: None

Recommended Corequisites: None

* Indicates course is included in more than one program of study.

For additional information on the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources career cluster, �contact cte@tea.texas.gov or visit https://tea.texas.gov/cte 

[LEA name] does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or disability in its programs or activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: [title], [address], [telephone number], [email]. Further nondiscrimination information can be found at Notification of Nondiscrimination in Career and Technical Education Programs.

Agricultural Technology �and Mechanical Systems