Start prepping NOW for your dream job or work-anywhere trade skills!
Build a Strong Foundation in the Agriculture Industry…and More
Do you enjoy fresh food or growing plants? Are you interested in business, sales, and marketing? The Agriculture pathway at VUSD’s Sa’aliyas Ranch is an opportunity to learn the latest techniques in growing, distributing, preparing, eating, and selling food to create a healthier, more sustainable community for us all. If you like being outside, working with your hands, and developing solutions to the world’s problems, then this is the pathway for you!
Agriculture is one of the largest industries in Ventura County, with available jobs ranging from farming to science to sales & distribution. This pathway prepares students for a valuable college degree and a rewarding career path.
What You'll Learn
From 9th grade upward, enroll in A-G approved courses to start preparing for your career in the agriculture industry. Classes include:
- CTE Concentrator Agriculture Aquaponics (Year 1)
- CTE Capstone Organic Farm To Fork (Year 2)
What You’ll Do
Take what you’re learning in the classroom into the real world and experience for yourself all that awaits you in the agriculture industry. Immersive and insightful experiences include:
- Learn organic farming techniques
- Market and sell produce to local businesses
- Develop skills using the latest agri-technology
- Field trips to local farms and businesses, and college programs
Who You Can Be
Kickstart your career path with top-tier academic instruction and industry-leader insights. The Plant & Soil Science Pathway prepares you for potential careers such as:
- Farm Manager
- Agriculture Business
- Crop Nutrition Scientist
- Organic Farmer
- Crop Consultant
- Agricultural and Food Science Technician
- Produce Sales and Distribution
- Agricultural Engineer
Industry Average Wages: $49,000-$126,000/Year
Projected Industry Growth: 1-10%
What You Need to Know
VUSD’s Agriculture Pathway offers students a fast-track to college courses and careers in the agriculture business. The first year course teaches students how to create soil-less farms through aquaponics, which uses fish to provide nutrients for plants to grow in water. In the second year course, students will utilize their skills in designing, cultivating, growing and harvesting crops, including the marketing, sales, and service aspects of the Sa’aliyas Ranch business enterprise to supply fresh produce to local businesses.
This pathway is located at Sa’aliyas Ranch at Pacific High School and consists of two sequenced year-long courses, a concentrator followed by a capstone. This pathway is open to students from all VUSD high schools, space permitting, and transportation to Sa'aliyas Ranch can be provided if needed.
Once you have gained the skills and knowledge in this pathway, there are many options for your next steps after high school - some you can even begin pursuing before you graduate!
1 year
Plant Science, Certificate - Ventura College
Agriculture Business Certificate - Ventura College
2 Year
Agriculture Plant Science, Associate in Science for Transfer - Ventura College
4 Year
Plant Sciences, Bachelor of Science - California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Agricultural Business, Bachelor of Science - California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems, Bachelor of Science - University of California, Davis