Success Story

Adam Darden - Agriculture Student/Farmer

High School: Southampton High School ('05)

Career & Technical Ed. Program Studied: Agricultural Mechanics/Basic Plant Science

Additional Studies/Training: Ferrum College

Cultivating a Career

“I would never want a desk job.” Adam Darden is clear about that. That’s why he has pursued agricultural studies from high school into college that will keep him working outdoors. In his high school classes, he learned about plants and soil chemistry, and acquired practical skills needed in operating a farm (such as carpentry, welding, and machine maintenance). In college, he’s been working on a research internship studying the effects of acid rain on crops.

Looking back on his high school studies, Adam observes that “everything was definitely useful. The classes help you learn the basic ‘book knowledge’ of agriculture, and further your education. Everything you learn gives you a heads-up.”

Darlington Samuel - Landscape Architect Student

High School: Southampton ('05)

CTE Courses: Mechanical Drawing, Technical Drawing, Architecture I & II

Additional Studies/Training:Pursuing degree in Landscape Architecture at NC A&T

A Career with Broad Roots

Some of Darlington Samuel’s favorite high school studies were art, drafting, and agriculture. “Then, when I got to college,” he recalls, “I discovered landscape architecture, and I really liked that concept.”

As a result, he managed to find a career that combines all three of his favorite subjects.

His landscape projects often begin as artistic sketches for initial creative planning, then proceed on to technical drawings on the computer, then culminate with the execution of his designs at the building site. Darlington says that final stage is particularly gratifying, because it’s when he can finally step back and see the improvements brought about by his work. “I like to make things look better.”

Food Products and Processing Systems

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These are jobs related to food and food processing.

The things you could do:

- Research new food sources.
- Inspect food processing areas.
- Create new food products.

Plant Systems

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These are jobs related to growing and studying plants.

The things you could do:

- Breed new kinds of plants.
- Develop new crops that are resistant to pests or drought.
- Take care of trees or plants that have been damaged.
- Take care of the grass and other plants at a golf course.
- Manage a greenhouse.

Animal Systems

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These jobs range from working directly with animals to developing more effective ways of producing food from animals (meat, eggs, and dairy.)

The things you could do:

- Be a veterinarian.
- Breed stronger, more resilient animals.
- Manage a dairy farm.
- Train horses or dogs.

Power, Structural & Technical Systems

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These jobs relate to the mechanical or engineering side of fields such as agriculture or environmentally related fields.

The things you could do:

- Develop new ways to process animal wastes.
- Design new tractors or other agricultural equipment.

Natural Resource Systems

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These jobs relate to human interaction with wildlife and natural resources, including fishing, forestry, and mining.

The things you could do:

- Manage a fish hatchery.
- Harvest wood from forests.
- Monitor water quality.
- Catch fish for human consumption.

Environmental Service Systems

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People in this field work to control pollution and maintain public health.

The things you could do:

- Monitor pollution for a government agency.
- Study new ways of controlling pollution.
- Work to clean up a hazardous substance spill or release.
- Recycle plastics or metals into new products.

Agribusiness Systems

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This field relates to the business side of producing and selling food, fiber, wood products, plants, animals, and other natural resources.

The things you could do:

- Manage a farm or ranch.
- Buy and sell livestock.
- Provide loans to farmers and other agricultural businesses.
- Develop marketing plans for agricultural products. (Got Milk?)