TODAY'S SUCCESSFUL FARMER MUST POSSESS THE SKILLS OF A BUSINESSMAN, SCIENTIST, AND MECHANIC TO SURVIVE COMPETITION IN AGRICULTURE, THE LARGEST INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES. THIS COMPETITION HAS CAUSED AN INCREASE IN THE SIZE OF FARMS AND RANCHES IN AN ATTEMPT TO CURTAIL OPERATIONAL EXPENSES AND TO INCREASE PRODUCTION. WITH THE SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION IN AGRICULTURE, FEWER FARMERS ARE REQUIRED IN THE AGRICULTURAL OPERATION, BUT THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASED DEMAND FOR AGRICULTURE-RELATED WORKERS. TO TRAIN THESE FARMERS AND FARM-RELATED WORKERS, SIXTY-FIVE NORTH DAKOTA HIGH SCHOOLS OFFER VOCATIONAL AGRICULTURAL TRAINING, THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF WHICH HAS BEEN TO TRAIN STUDENTS IN THE SKILLS OF FARMING. HOWEVER, THE SCOPE OF THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN EXPANDED IN RECENT YEARS TO INCLUDE PREPARATION FOR OFF-FARM AGRICULTURE-RELATED WORK. SINCE THE ENACTMENT OF P. L. 88-210, PASSED IN 1963, THE NATIONAL OBJECTIVES FOR VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION HAVE BEEN REVISED TO DEVELOP--SATISFACTORY STUDENT PLACEMENT, ADVANCEMENT IN AGRICULTURE, COMPETENCIES IN PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE, COMPETENCIES IN NONFARMING AGRICULTURAL OCCUPATIONS, UNDERSTANDING OF CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN AGRICULTURE, HUMAN RELATIONS ABILITIES, AND ABILITIES FOR EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP. THIS ARTICLE APPEARED IN THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION RECORD, VOL. 51, NO. 9, JUNE, 1966. (ES)