What is a Farmer?
A farming career could be within agriculture or livestock and will also have touch points across the supply chain. A career in farming could also be someone who raises livestock and operates machinery to plant and harvest crops. However, this career does not mean you are restricted to being a farmer.
A career in farming is ideal for those who have a preference to work in an exciting and busy outdoor environment where you will also be required to work in all weather conditions.
What Does It Take?
You can get into this job through:
- A college course
- High-level / higher-level apprenticeship
- Applying directly to entry-level position jobs
- University degree
- Training with a professional body such as MDS
Skills & Knowledge
- Ability to work well with others, across a range of cultures and language barriers.
- A passion for the outdoors and rural activities
- Flexibility and openness to change
- Self-motivated, great initiative
- Enjoyment of physical activity
- Excellent communication skills
What Will The Person Do?
The farming sector is an unpredictable industry that needs to operate outside of the normal 9-5. For many, this is an opportunity to feed their passion in an exciting outdoor environment but often requires employees to work outside of the Monday-to-Friday routine with shift patterns and early starts.
Potential day-to-day tasks could include:
- Buying and selling animals and crops
- Setting budgets and targets and keeping records of them all
- Maintaining and cleaning farm equipment
- Keeping up to date with accurate records
- Arrange deals and negotiate with suppliers
Career Path and Progression
With qualifications and experience, you may be able to progress in a farm management role. In addition, you could become a member of the National Farmers Union (NFU) where you will have the potential to impact policy and lead government change.
You potentially could:
- Supervise/manage a farm, but you could potentially move between farms
- Work as a contractor to maintain the farming machinery or equipment for more than one farm
- Work with and on agricultural supplies and equipment
With experience, you can move from being an Assistant Farm Manager to Farm Manager, and then finally the Farm Director of Farming Operations.
