The primary purpose of this project is to develop and field test a core curriculum in agriculture for rural secondary schools and a core curriculum in agriculture for metropolitan or urban schools in Illinois. Activities of Phase 1 of the project were reviewing literature and interviewing industry representatives to identify pertinent research and gather employment information, organizing and meeting with a rural agriculture program advisory committee and a metropolitan agriculture program advisory committee, conducting observational trips to five states, developing a collection of core curriculum resources from other states, and surveying Illinois teachers to determine content for the core curriculum. In addition, an assessment of employment needs for Illinois agriculture was made. As a result of this assessment, employment trends within the framework of the seven taxonomic areas of agricultural education (agricultural production, agricultural supplies and services, agricultural mechanics, agricultural products, ornamental horticulture, renewable natural resources, and forestry) were identified. Based on project findings, common competencies that are needed by those planning to enter occupations in Illinois agriculture at entry or mid-management levels were identified. (LRA)