Growing opportunity

Agriculture offers wide variety of career options

While it’s common to envision overalls and tractors when imagining careers in agriculture, the opportunities to work in the agriculture industry stretch beyond the farm and into the corporate world.

A career in agriculture can prove richly rewarding. The following are a few of the paths men and women with a passion for agriculture can pursue.

BUSINESS

Agriculture is big business, and the industry has many opportunities for those who want to pursue a rewarding career in business.

Farmers and producers of agricultural products need someone to draft contracts for their agreements with the large corporations who distribute those products. In addition, purchasing agents and agricultural financiers are just two of the many career opportunities that enable men and women to work on the business side of agriculture.

SOCIAL SERVICE

The agricultural industry also has positions of social service. In addition to food inspectors, who ensure that agricultural products are safe for human consumption, social service positions within the agricultural industry include environmental consultants and conservation officers.

Men and women can also work to develop programs that encourage youngsters to pursue careers in the agricultural industry.

PRODUCTION

Of course, the agricultural industry has a host of careers for those who want to get their hands dirty.

Farms need to be plowed, seeds must be planted and fertilized, and farms need to be well-maintained to continue operating efficiently and effectively. Though technology has taken the place of many agricultural production positions, there are still many opportunities out there for those who want to work under the sun.

EDUCATION

Those who want to share their love of agriculture with others can put their skills to work in the classroom. Agricultural instructors can train the next generation of agriculture professionals at the university or high school level, ensuring that today’s farms are left in good hands tomorrow.

There is a wide variety of careers available in agriculture, from actual farming to safety inspection, marketing and more.