In today’s interconnected, global economy, the importance of agriculture, food security, and natural resources cannot be overstated. As populations grow, so does the demand for professionals equipped to meet the challenges of sustainable farming, food safety, and agronomic solutions. These fields are crucial and they’re expanding. Experts estimate that these industries contributed over $1.5 trillion to the U.S. GDP in 2023, with farming alone contributing $203.5 billion.
Addressing the challenge — and the opportunity — with the Agriscience Foundations certification
To prepare learners for careers in agriculture, Certiport established the Agriscience Foundations certification. This credential not only opens doors for individuals looking to reap a career in this growing industry, but it also provides them with the foundational knowledge necessary for a variety of professional roles. Whether learners are interested in becoming a food scientist, a soil and plant scientist, or even a sustainable farming technologist, this certification can help plant the seeds of success.
We drew upon the expertise of subject matter experts and psychometricians to create the Agriscience Foundation certification and develop its exam with industry needs in mind. The exam covers a broad range of essential agriscience topics, validating learners have a solid foundation to grow within the industry.
Dive into the agriculture certification details below.
What topics are covered on the exam?
The exam covers six main topics, with coordinating sub-topics:
The health of agricultural systems
- Differentiate between healthy and unhealthy agricultural systems and habitats
- Summarize basic Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices
- Describe properties of healthy soil
- Explain how water moves between the land, ocean, and atmosphere
Using and maintaining industry documents
- Maintain complete and accurate records
- Interpret information on labels
- Use weights and measures to complete simple calculations using information on labels and tags
- Interpret information on Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
Workplace safety and procedures
- Given a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), select and use the appropriate tools and equipment for job-related tasks
- Implement sanitation and cleanliness to adhere to biosecurity standards
- Summarize the contents of the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) and how it applies to the agricultural employee
Animal science
- Identify different uses of animals
- Name species-specific terminology based on gender and age
- Given a scenario, explain the role of flight zones in the safe handling of animals
- Identify principles of quality care in animal agriculture
Plant science
- Explain principles of plant biology
- Summarize plant nutrients and their delivery
- Detail what seeds need to germinate and grow
Food safety
- Describe how temperature affects microbial growth
- Determine which allergens are present in a food product
- Distinguish between sources of food contamination
What are the prerequisites to certifying?
Learners who earn the Agriscience Foundations certification should have completed at least 150 hours of instruction and hands-on experience prior to taking this exam. No additional exam prerequisites are required to sit for the certification exam.
Is there courseware available for the exam?
To help candidates prepare to earn their certifications, Certiport has partnered with several learning courseware developers with proven track records of increasing pass rates. The exam currently has learning material available through our partners, Moore Solutions, Inc. (MSi), Pointful Education, and Pearson, with more coming soon from LearnKey. Learn more about curriculum options for your classroom here.
Are there practice tests available for the exam?
Yes. Certiport offers CertPREP Practice Tests, powered by GMetrix, to help prepare learners for their certification exam. Get more details about practice tests here.
Build a rewarding career
The Agriscience Foundations certification validates that learners are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to grow and thrive in the ever-expanding field of agriculture. Whether learners are cultivating a passion for plant science, nurturing their understanding of animal care, or sowing the seeds for a future in sustainable farming, this certification can be the first step toward a fruitful career.
Have additional questions about the certification program? Reach out to your Certiport Territory Manager here or get more details here.