About This Career

Plans, directs, or coordinates the management or operation of farms, ranches, greenhouses, aquacultural operations, nurseries, timber tracts, or other agricultural establishments. May hire, train, and supervise farm workers or contract for services to carry out the day-to-day activities of the managed operation. May engage in or supervise planting, cultivating, harvesting, and financial and marketing activities.

This career is part of the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources cluster Agribusiness Systems pathway.

A person in this career:

• Collects and records growth, production, and environmental data.
• Manages nurseries that grow horticultural plants for sale to trade or retail customers, for display or exhibition, or for research.
• Directs and monitors trapping and spawning of fish, egg incubation, and fry rearing, applying knowledge of management and fish culturing techniques.
• Directs and monitors the transfer of mature fish to lakes, ponds, streams, or commercial tanks.
• Determines how to allocate resources and to respond to unanticipated problems, such as insect infestation, drought, and fire.
• Determines plant growing conditions, such as greenhouses, hydroponics, or natural settings, and set planting and care schedules.
• Devises and participates in activities to improve fish hatching and growth rates, and to prevent disease in hatcheries.
• Prepares reports required by state and federal laws.
• Positions and regulates plant irrigation systems, and programs environmental and irrigation control computers.
• Inspects facilities and equipment for signs of disrepair, and performs necessary maintenance work.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

• You would often handle loads up to 10 lbs., sometimes up to 20 lbs. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you might sit but use your arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools.
• Conditions are very hot (above 90 F) or very cold (under 32 F)
• Work in this occupation requires being outside most of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

• Seeing clearly up close
• Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
• Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

• Irregular hours
• Seasonal work
• Weekend work