Careers in Agricultural Business and Management

Farm Manager

Job Description

Farm managers have many responsibilities and not only supervise a farm, but may perform any necessary manual labor as well. Farm managers have to decide which plants and how many crops to lay down every season. They have to make these decisions based on weather projections, disease and fluctuations in the market. Farm managers may have to seek out buyers and sell products for the maximum amount of profit. Managers will create planting and harvesting schedules and oversee the work done by operators and other farm employees on the farm.

Skills

• Managers must have strong leadership skills and be able to communicate effectively with any staff and coworkers
• Computer and technology skills along with business and analytical abilities are also important
• Managers must have an aptitude for using tools and operating machines for when they are called upon to perform manual farm labor

Preparation

Farm managers must have either a strong background in farming or at least an associate's degree in farm management, agricultural business, or animal science. Potential farm managers can become certified in order to prove their farming skills and leadership abilities. To be eligible for certification an individual must have a bachelor's degree and farm-related experience in business, law and finance. Many farm managers get their education from on-the-job training and begin their careers by working under an experienced farm manager to learn about important farming topics, including fertilizer, weather patterns, seeds, breeding and feeding.

Source: Education Portal