Careers to think about for the 21st century. Think about a career in agriculture.
Agriculture Communnications
Agriculture is such a big business that many of the major agricultural, farming and ranching companies house departments dedicated to promoting and marketing their products. Individuals involved in agricultural communications often work as marketers, public relations experts or journalists. Common job titles include:
- Advertising
- Agricultural Consultant
- Agricultural Marketer
- Customer Relations
- General Manager
- Information Specialist
- Insurance Sales
- Marketing Specialist
- Photographer
- Public Relations & Communications
- Real Estate
- Retail Sales
- Sales and Promotions
- Technical Sales Representative
- Youth Development Extension Agent
Agriculture Economics
Someone has to price, broker and assess the agricultural economy from day to day and year to year. The fact is that the agricultural economy can be greatly affected by issues like drought, flood and outbreaks of food borne illness. It's the role of the agricultural economist to address these issues. Common job titles include:
- Grain broker
- Farm and land appraiser
- Resource economist consultant
- Agricultural policy analyst
- Insurance agent
- Food distribution manager
- Agricultural lender
Agriculture Education
Someone has to teach agricultural courses and pursue agricultural research. This largely falls on the shoulders of instructors and education specialists within the agricultural education field. While you may think teachers only exist within high school and college settings, many large agricultural organizations also employ agriculture educators and researchers. Common jobs include:
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Agriculture Engineering
One area of agriculture that requires an advanced degree within a field of engineering is agricultural engineering. Agriculture requires the extensive use of machinery, buildings, water lines and waste management, all which require expert knowledge to keep the food supply safe. Consider the following opportunities:
- Structural engineer
- Irrigation engineer
- Sanitary/waste handling
- Food engineer
- Bioprocessing engineer
- Machine design engineer
Agronomy/Soil
Agronomy deals with soil management and crop production. Most upper level positions within this field require an advanced degree in agriculture, biology or genetics, but there are some positions (particularly those in sales) that may require only a high school education and experience within the field. Opportunities include:
- Crop specialist
- Soil scientist
- Fertilizer sales representative
- Plant breeder
- Plant geneticist
- Soil conservationist
- Soil surveyor
- Farm supply representative
Animal Science
If you love working with livestock like pigs, cattle or horses, you may want to look into careers within animal sciences. These individuals may help with the care of animals as ranch hands or breeders, or they may take on more scientific roles as large animal veterinarians or animal geneticists. Consider the following job possibilities:
- Livestock production manager
- Feed sales/management
- Livestock procurement
- Livestock insurance representative
- Veterinarian
- Farm management
- Stable management
- Livestock feedlot operator
- Ranch/farm hand
- Animal scientist
- Animal geneticist
Food Science
It's one thing to have crops and livestock on a ranch, but it's another thing entirely to turn those resources into food that's ready to be placed on the table in homes around the world. Individuals involved in food sciences deal with safety, research and product development before the food hits the shelves. Roles include:
- Food product research and development
- Quality assurance
- Food chemist
- Food microbiologist
- Food manufacturing
- Food researcher
Agriculture Mechanics
Someone needs to take on the huge responsibility of keeping our country and our community working smother. Careers related to agriculture mechanics are what keeps everyone moving forward. It is your job to insure machines are operating at full potential and that the infrastructure is there for the success of everyone. individuals involved in Ag mechanics deal with safety, research, construction, manufacturing and product development to provide the foundation our country relies on. Roles include:
- Heavy Equipment Operator
- Welder
- Construction
- Landscaper
- Concrete/Mason
- Electrician
- Mechanic
- Tractor Sales/services