Kody Hanner
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Do your homestead kids want to major in agriculture?
As many of our homeschooled homestead kids prepare for the next stages of life, we are starting to chat about colleges and universities that align with homestead values, especially those of our kids can continue being emersed in agriculture. `Many kids are beginning to see the flaws in the higher education systems just as we have seen the flaws in the public school system. I recently had my eyes opened even more after reading “The Battle for the American Mind” by Pete Hegseth. That was definitely a ready to make you feel enlightened, appalled, and uncomfortable all at the same time. However, the conversation I want to have today is about the direction that homeschooled kids will be headed as they graduate into adulthood.
Homeschooled kids aren't wired the same
Our homeschooled children think on such a higher level with more critical thinking and stronger sense of self than many kids of current and previous generations. This can either lean to them dominating at colleges and universities or blazing their own trail. During my interview with Connor Boyack from the Tuttle Twins on The Homestead Education Podcast, we discuss the concept of employers using portfolios over resumes or CVs as a more complete picture of a prospective employee’s skills and experiences. I see this being something that homeschooled kids, who have been allowed to design their own education, would want to design their own careers. And be amazing at it too!
Homeschooled kids aren't wired the same
Our homeschooled children think on such a higher level with more critical thinking and stronger sense of self than many kids of current and previous generations. This can either lean to them dominating at colleges and universities or blazing their own trail. During my interview with Connor Boyack from the Tuttle Twins on The Homestead Education Podcast, we discuss the concept of employers using portfolios over resumes or CVs as a more complete picture of a prospective employee’s skills and experiences. I see this being something that homeschooled kids, who have been allowed to design their own education, would want to design their own careers. And be amazing at it too!
For those who decide that college, university, technical school, or an internship in agriculture may be right for them there are some oppurtunities that fit the homestead mold a little better than traditional big agricultural. Many agriculture programs are seeing the need to, at a minimum, have regenerative or agroecology degree offered. Or, if a big ag school is on the horizon due to locality, family alma mater (Go Wildcats!), or other reasons, your kids can still major in agriculture to learn the science and become better stewards of the land.
Options for majoring is agriculture
Top 10 Agricultural Universities (According to growingproduce.com)
- Cornell University
- University of Florida
- Texas A & M
- UC Davis
- Oklahoma State University
- Kansas State University
- University of Georgia
- NC State University
- University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign)
- Purdue University
Sustainable Agricultural Degrees (BS and MS)
- Regenerative Agriculture
- Sustainable Agriculture
- Sustainable Food Systems
- Soil Science
- Sustainable Food and Farming
- Urban Agriculture
- Rangeland Restoration
Sustainable and Small-Scale Certificates and Associates Degrees
- Permaculture Certificate (OSU)
- Small Farm Production (Spokane Community College)
- Agriculture Equipment Technician
- Raw Milk Institute
- Master Food Preservation Certification
- Grassland/Pasture Management Certification
Exploring Majoring in Agriculture
If your child is ready to start exploring career or college options, its never too early. Take them to visit farms and other agricultural businesses. Many colleges will give tours or have open houses for high school students or sometimes even summer programs where the kids can stay in the dorms and take classes. Another great option is now that so many programs are offered online or through distance learning (even agricultural courses) through accredited universities, homeschool kids can start working on science degrees while they are still at home.
While I was researching for this information, I actually saw many low cost certificate programs that I would consider taking myself or encouraging my kids to take later in their high school years. If you have something that you are interested in, there are tons of options out there and if you can’t find something or you aren’t sure, shoot me a message. I would love to help you research.
Start your Agriculture Education Now
While your student is still in middle and high school, Homestead Science is the only full-year agriculture science designed for homeschooled students. It contains a full year of hands-on applied science lessons to help your child understand where their food comes from, how to manage a homestead, the nuances of rural life, and personal responsibility.
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