5 answers
Adan
Student
San Luis, Arizona
2
Questions
Asked
344 views
Does agriculture require only basic manual labor?
I would like to grow in agriculture but i feel like just taking care of the plants woudn't be exciting enough for me, is there other things that would require harder work to do? Or is it simply just watering plants.
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5 answers
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
3512
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Dear Adan,
Response:
The field of agriculture is a broad and exciting one, encompassing much more than just the basic care of plants. It offers a plethora of tasks that are both challenging and rewarding. Here are some examples of the more complex aspects of agriculture:
Soil Preparation: Prior to planting, the soil must be meticulously prepared. This could involve tilling, plowing, or using machinery. It's a physically demanding task that calls for strength and stamina.
Planting and Harvesting: These are pivotal tasks in agriculture. Whether it's sowing seeds manually or using machinery like seed drills and transplanters, or harvesting with combines, these tasks demand precision, timing, and physical exertion.
Pest and Disease Management: Keeping crops safe from pests and diseases is an ongoing battle in agriculture. Farmers must keep a vigilant eye on their crops, identify potential threats, and take the necessary steps, such as using pesticides or implementing integrated pest management strategies.
Irrigation Systems: Proper management of irrigation systems is crucial to ensure crops get the right amount of water. This could involve setting up and monitoring irrigation equipment, and adjusting watering schedules based on the needs of the crops.
Crop Rotation and Soil Conservation: To keep the soil fertile and prevent erosion, farmers often resort to crop rotation and soil conservation techniques. These practices call for strategic planning, knowledge of different crops, and sustainable farming methods.
Marketing and Sales: Beyond production, farmers also need to effectively market their products. This requires an understanding of market trends, pricing strategies, distribution channels, and cultivating relationships with buyers.
Research and Innovation: Agriculture is an ever-evolving field, with new technologies and practices constantly emerging. Participating in research projects, adopting innovative techniques, and staying abreast of industry advancements can be intellectually rewarding aspects of a career in agriculture.
In conclusion, agriculture is a diverse field that goes beyond basic manual labor. It offers opportunities for personal growth, skill development, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO): The FAO, a specialized agency of the United Nations, provides current information on global agricultural practices, innovations, sustainability efforts, and industry trends.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA): The USDA provides valuable resources on agricultural production techniques, research findings, market analysis reports, and regulatory guidelines for farmers in the United States.
Agricultural Extension Services: Local agricultural extension services offer practical support to farmers through training programs and workshops on best practices in farming techniques like soil management or pest control strategies.
GOD BLESS YOU!
JC!
Response:
The field of agriculture is a broad and exciting one, encompassing much more than just the basic care of plants. It offers a plethora of tasks that are both challenging and rewarding. Here are some examples of the more complex aspects of agriculture:
Soil Preparation: Prior to planting, the soil must be meticulously prepared. This could involve tilling, plowing, or using machinery. It's a physically demanding task that calls for strength and stamina.
Planting and Harvesting: These are pivotal tasks in agriculture. Whether it's sowing seeds manually or using machinery like seed drills and transplanters, or harvesting with combines, these tasks demand precision, timing, and physical exertion.
Pest and Disease Management: Keeping crops safe from pests and diseases is an ongoing battle in agriculture. Farmers must keep a vigilant eye on their crops, identify potential threats, and take the necessary steps, such as using pesticides or implementing integrated pest management strategies.
Irrigation Systems: Proper management of irrigation systems is crucial to ensure crops get the right amount of water. This could involve setting up and monitoring irrigation equipment, and adjusting watering schedules based on the needs of the crops.
Crop Rotation and Soil Conservation: To keep the soil fertile and prevent erosion, farmers often resort to crop rotation and soil conservation techniques. These practices call for strategic planning, knowledge of different crops, and sustainable farming methods.
Marketing and Sales: Beyond production, farmers also need to effectively market their products. This requires an understanding of market trends, pricing strategies, distribution channels, and cultivating relationships with buyers.
Research and Innovation: Agriculture is an ever-evolving field, with new technologies and practices constantly emerging. Participating in research projects, adopting innovative techniques, and staying abreast of industry advancements can be intellectually rewarding aspects of a career in agriculture.
In conclusion, agriculture is a diverse field that goes beyond basic manual labor. It offers opportunities for personal growth, skill development, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO): The FAO, a specialized agency of the United Nations, provides current information on global agricultural practices, innovations, sustainability efforts, and industry trends.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA): The USDA provides valuable resources on agricultural production techniques, research findings, market analysis reports, and regulatory guidelines for farmers in the United States.
Agricultural Extension Services: Local agricultural extension services offer practical support to farmers through training programs and workshops on best practices in farming techniques like soil management or pest control strategies.
GOD BLESS YOU!
JC!
Robert Ross
Account Manager
11
Answers
Parma, Idaho
Updated
Robert’s Answer
The agriculture sector also includes seed companies, soil health labs, and agriculture growing solutions companies. Within seed companies alone there is any job you would imagine in a large international company, like IT, HR, R&D, logistics, supply chain, operations. It is nice to have an agriculture specific degree but isn't necessary to work in an ag related field.
Allison Porter
Director of Sustainable Real Estate
5
Answers
Savannah, Georgia
Updated
Allison’s Answer
Hi Adan! There are LOTS of ways to work in agriculture. Here are three aspects that might be interesting to you:
1. Maintenance: Farms need mechanics and engineers to design and maintain the equipment they use to grow crops. This could include vehicles, like trucks and tractors, as well as irrigation systems.
2. Marketing strategy: Agriculture companies can grow by inventing new ways to sell their products. A company called Seaside Grown figured out a way to make money by turning tomatoes that were too ripe to sell into products like barbecue sauce and Bloody Mary mix. Here's their website: https://www.seasidegrown.com/
3. Management: Someone needs to bring together all the people working on a farm to make sure all the work gets done. Managers use their leadership skills to get things done!
For more ideas, check out this list of Agricultural Services provided by Clemson University: https://www.clemson.edu/public/about/ag-services.html
If you're interested in a career in agriculture, I'm confident you can find work that will be challenging enough to keep you interested. Good luck!
Check out this list of Agricultural Services provided by Clemson University: https://www.clemson.edu/public/about/ag-services.html
1. Maintenance: Farms need mechanics and engineers to design and maintain the equipment they use to grow crops. This could include vehicles, like trucks and tractors, as well as irrigation systems.
2. Marketing strategy: Agriculture companies can grow by inventing new ways to sell their products. A company called Seaside Grown figured out a way to make money by turning tomatoes that were too ripe to sell into products like barbecue sauce and Bloody Mary mix. Here's their website: https://www.seasidegrown.com/
3. Management: Someone needs to bring together all the people working on a farm to make sure all the work gets done. Managers use their leadership skills to get things done!
For more ideas, check out this list of Agricultural Services provided by Clemson University: https://www.clemson.edu/public/about/ag-services.html
If you're interested in a career in agriculture, I'm confident you can find work that will be challenging enough to keep you interested. Good luck!
Allison recommends the following next steps:
Terri Chase
Process Engineering
10
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Terri’s Answer
A degree in agriculture will delve into conservation, organics, science, and a host of other areas for a career owning a turf business or nursery.
Patrick Stephan
Management
19
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
The Ag business certainly is not limited to manual labor! In terms of cultivation, there are many large-scale farming operations especially in the plains states that are largely computerized, using automated combines/tractors/trucks which require tech oversight. Irrigation operations are also highly computerized- most modern systems involve electric pumps and panels to regulate flow. For animal husbandry, operations are also increasingly hands-off. For example, large dairy operations are all done with mechanical milk pumps, tanks, and piping. Fertilizer (poop) is also highly controlled as it’s distribution is regulated by the EPA, so many large farms will also control fertilizer distribution with pipes or holding reservoirs. All these things require techs, electricians, operations managers and others to ensure the farm functions efficiently and to solve any problems that arise.