Searching through agricultural job listings can be tedious. How do you know which ones suit you or that you're qualified to do? As with any job, you need training, and agricultural jobs are no different. Whether you attend a prestigious university or are born into an agricultural family, you cannot be successful without the right training tools.

Sometimes to receive the highest form of agricultural employment training, it's what you know while other times it's who you know. To get the best of both worlds, consider the following when beginning your quest for training for agriculture jobs:

1. Receive an online degree to get a step ahead in your agricultural job search.

2. Search out training for agriculture jobs through business organizations.

3. Experience the jobs in agriculture first-hand.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Attend an online school for agriculture careers

If you don't have time to attend classes in person, then it's just as easy to obtain a degree online. With an agriculture degree program, most schools offer science and business classes needed to comprehend how well the agriculture industry operates.

I recommend: Texas A&M University designed an online Master of Agriculture (MAgr) program to prepare students for leadership roles in such agricultural jobs dealing with education, natural resource management and other careers in agriculture and life sciences. To help with agriculture employment, Washington State University offers a Master of Science in Agriculture via an online course in which you can choose from a nonthesis or a thesis program.

Secure training for agriculture jobs through business associations

Most agricultural organizations offer assistance through education and business ventures. Not only are these associations a great way to connect with other people interested in jobs in agriculture, but by connecting with a few, you can ask them where they obtained their training. You may also land a job through one of these associations; many organizations often match prospective employees with employers.

I recommend: The Agricultural & Applied Economics Association provides a way to network with others in the agricultural employment field and also updates its continuing education opportunities. Consider becoming a member of the Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association, which provides opportunities for farm workers and aspiring farmers in California.

Use recruiters to help with your agricultural job search

Sometimes the best training for agriculture jobs can be hands-on training. Many companies and organizations can provide a few days' worth of training for a fee. Don't be afraid to ask around to see if you can shadow someone who has an agriculture job that you covet.

I recommend: Check out The Farm School and its program to learn about many aspects of agriculture. Tillers International, affiliated with Western Michigan University, offers hands-on experiences of many agricultural aspects, including crops, farm animals and farm buildings.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider using a recruiter to help with any questions you may have about training for any type of agriculture job. Since these people deal with hiring people, they would have the best gauge on further training you may need.

Jobs in agriculture are not what they once were. They have become highly skilled, technical, and in some cases, lucrative. In addition to the traditional agricultural jobs planting crops or tending animals, there are also careers in agriculture which involve working with computers, accounting software and tractor guidance systems, developing disease-resistant seeds, managing markets or selling all types of products and equipment to producers.

Agriculture employment in the US is higher than in most other industries, partly because the field of agriculture has become big business and agriculture jobs are so diverse. Approximately one third of all the land in the US is used for agriculture and, despite the decline in small family farms, agricultural business careers are taking off.

Agriculture careers can be categorized into five areas:

1. Production
2. Research
3. Technology
4. Markets
5. Sales jobs in agriculture

Action Steps
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Understand the agricultural jobs market

Agriculture is a field we cannot live without; therefore, careers in agriculture will always exist. However, since agriculture positions exist in many different areas, it helps to know the market when you are planning your agriculture career. Take a look at what types of agriculture employment are available in certain geographic areas and where agriculture products are bringing the most money.

I recommend: Register with the US Department of Agriculture Economics, Statistics and Market Information System's email reports to monitor agricultural employment and other agriculture statistics.

Talk to a recruiter to find the right agriculture job for you

A recruiter who handles agriculture jobs can help you understand what skills are required for each type of position. He can also give you some insight regarding hiring trends and wages, and help you get the agriculture job you are looking for.

I recommend: Contact recruiters at Agri-Tech Personnel or Ag 1 Source who specialize in agriculture positions to get more information about agricultural jobs.

Sample the range of jobs in agriculture

Explore various types of careers in agriculture before deciding if agricultural employment is right for you.

I recommend: You may want to work for the government in an agriculture job. Review job summaries from the US Department of Agriculture Forestry Service. Also, search for an agriculture job in one of several countries with AgCareers.com. You can register with IrrigationJobs.com to have job listings emailed directly to you. And get to know some people in agriculture positions on a personal level by joining FarmersOnly.com

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Give up those old stereotypes about farmers in overalls. Today, agriculture is big business and agriculture business careers are easy to find.

Agricultural jobs have changed dramatically over the years. At one time, the jobs simply involved animals, crops and equipment. Today, these jobs involve computers and technology, and since these industries evolve sometimes weekly, it's imperative to stay current with the agricultural business.

Since the agriculture jobs evolve, you also need to stay up-to-date on job listings. If you search out some of the listings, then you can see what employers want from employees; if you're an employer yourself, then use this to your advantage to see what types of considerations your competitors desire. If you're seeking a job, then find out what prospective employers ask of you. In order to locate help to keep up with agriculture jobs news and trends, consider the following:

1. Use trade association websites to keep up with jobs in agriculture business.

2. Pay attention to agriculture employment publications.

3. Share information with others in the agriculture job field.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Discover agriculture careers and news on trade websites

Depending upon if you're trying to further your career in agriculture or wanting to fill an empty agriculture position, stay on top of the latest information available. You can oftentimes find these trends and changes posted on online columns or on publication-based websites.

I recommend: AG Weekly Online can provide the latest agriculture news and trends from all over the country. Agriculture Jobs is a free agriculture job search site where you can post your resume, or, if you're searching for employees, you can post requirements for potential candidates.

Locate publications about careers in agriculture

One of the best ways to stay abreast of any changes in the agriculture business is to pay attention to agricultural employment periodicals and magazines. Many times these publications go into further detail about up-and-coming trends and important newsworthy events. You can also locate these publications online for even more recent changes to the employment market.

I recommend: Look into the monthly Farm Journal magazine, which is the largest national U.S. farm magazine. Check Ag 1 Source, as it specializes in agricultural positions. Search through its industry-specific newsletters, which include agronomy, animal health, equipment, livestock, grain, finance, seeds and livestock.

Seek out other agriculture job professionals via the computer

Blogs are quickly becoming the media of choice for many small business owners wanting to communicate with other professionals. Seek out an Internet blog that provides reliable information and attracts legitimate people who post. Talk to others in the same situation as yourself to find out what they're doing to further their careers.

I recommend: Check out AgCareers.com where you can search through agriculture jobs listed all over the country. Look into the blog from the National Agricultural Library. The site is run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and discusses recent news and events concerning agriculture education.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't limit yourself to industry-based websites. Look into social networking sites, such as Facebook or MySpace, to find others interested in agriculture jobs news and trends.

Contrary to popular belief, most agriculture jobs no longer occur on farms or ranches. These jobs now belong to researchers, scientists and specialists, who work to improve our outdoor surroundings. Every job requires a different set of education requirements that correlate with its specialties. So it is best to review the job details before pursuing a career further. When you are browsing agriculture jobs listed online, keep some important key terms in mind.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Food scientist

This job works closely in the food-processing industry, finding better ways to store, ship and deliver foods. Whether it's discovering new foods or testing existing foods for nutrients or additives, food scientists have a job that is increasing yearly.

I recommend: Learn more about becoming a food scientist from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Plant geneticist

This scientist studies genetics in relation to botany. A geneticist wants to capture the best of a plant to ensure it prospers for future plants. For example, locating the gene that makes a tomato produce the fullest tomatoes can ensure that future plant generations continue to have the best produce.

I recommend: For more plant genetics information, check out the United States Department of Agriculture.

Landscape architect

A landscape architect is involved in planning, designing and sometimes overseeing the design of an exterior space. Working mainly with organizations, the architect ensures that natural resources are conserved while a project is under way. With 49 of the 50 states requiring architects to be licensed, it's best to receive the proper education when it comes to becoming certified.

I recommend: Learn more about becoming a landscape architect from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Agricultural engineer

An agricultural engineer possesses a diverse educational history, which can help in diagnosing a problem. The subjects an engineer focuses on include energy, food processing, forestry, soil, safety and power.

I recommend: Visit the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers to learn more about the agricultural engineer profession.

Forest Service technician

Those who work in the Forest Service are concerned with forest and range research. Technicians comprise the largest branch within the industry. Like other researchers, technicians collect data and use their findings to improve national programs.

I recommend: Read more about the Forest Service technician's job at the U.S. Forest Service.

Farmer

Although this career is waning, there is still a need for the American farmer. Whether you desire to be a grain farmer, who only deals with crops, or a livestock farmer, who deals with animals, you need to know how to be successful in either endeavor. Grain farmers harvest such crops as corn, soybeans, wheat and rye, with many growing more than one crop on their land.

I recommend: Visit StateUniversity.com to learn more about a career as a grain farmer.