Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources:
Skills & Job Outlook for this Career Cluster
On The Job:
- Traditional agriculture settings include farms, ranches, dairies, orchards, greenhouses and plant nurseries.
- Workers in urban settings include agricultural engineers, food scientists, veterinary employees and salespeople for agriculture-related products. These positions are in offices, medical clinics, laboratories and production plants.
- Some farm work can be hazardous. Tractors or other modern machinery can cause serious injury.
- Work on farms, dairies and ranches is often strenuous and the work hours are long (sunrise to sunset) in all types of weather. Demand is greatest during planting, harvesting and breeding seasons.
What Skills Do You Need?
- Computer skills to use related technology and software.
- Leadership for those who are managers or run their own business.
- Patience and cooperation skills for working with people and animals.
- Physical stamina for heavy lifting, carrying and working with large machinery.
- Problem-solving skills to deal with weather-related complications or animal wellness issues.
- Repairing abilities to work on agricultural machinery or equipment.
- Science skills to know rules and methods for working with natural resources.
Job Outlook: FAIR
Demand for rural, farm-related occupations is declining, but agriculture jobs in urban areas are growing.
There are about 88,000 farms in Minnesota with 17,917 salaried workers in the agriculture industry.* Overall employment in farming positions is projected to decline nationwide due to increased productivity and the consolidation of farms.
Biofuels, like ethanol, have gained importance in the nation's economy. Minnesota is one of the country's top producers of biofuels. This generates a greater demand for corn and other products and a need the people who help to grow and process the crops.
Technology has also had a positive effect on today's farm workers. A growing number of farmers and ranchers use computers and modern technology like the Internet and GPS technology.
Farmers, ranchers and agricultural managers need to keep up with advances in agricultural methods and changes in government regulations.
*Source: MCIS
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