Nature of Work

Agriculturalists are the foundation of the food, fiber, ornamental horticulture, and biofuels industry.  Employment in this industry includes agricultural producers of all types: farmers, ranchers, nursery, and greenhouse growers. Employment opportunities also encompass researchers, buyers, sales people, consultants, etc., all of whom work together to provide safe, affordable agricultural goods while maintaining a profitable business.

Agricultural companies can be small or large; some producers are sole proprietors who plant, cultivate, harvest, and sell their crops to local consumers; maintain their own equipment; and make all the management decisions. On the other end of the spectrum, an agriculturalist can be an employee of a large corporation who manages just one small portion of a much larger business.

Regardless of the size of the organization, all agriculturalists need to have a good comprehension of life sciences so they can understand how to grow crops and implement appropriate business practices so they will have a financially sound business. This diversified nature of the industry requires agriculturalists to have a grasp of many subjects: biology, mechanics, electricity, computers, finance, leadership, and problem solving.

Agriculture is a rewarding industry, allowing an individual to nurture a crop from infancy to harvest, supply customers with safe crops that help nourish and clothe them, and make sound financial decisions for a profitable business. There are positions that allow a person to work in the outdoors or inside at a desk, and opportunities extending from an entrepreneurial venture to corporate CEO.