Tips for Seeking Ag Employment

For those with experience elsewhere thinking of joining the ranks of millions employed by agriculture getting hired in the industry may be somewhat different than other businesses. For the person looking just to make a living there is also opportunity if you are honest in seeking it.

Today's agriculture is diverse from plants to livestock to technology and research. From the scientist researching new varieties of crops to the financial experts to the people feeding and milking cattle there are jobs in agriculture.

There often is not money in agriculture, at least in comparison to other industries. However there are other reasons to be involved in ag. Some make the change to get out of the city area due to life changes or relocating to a rural area to be near family again. The reasons may vary.

However it's important to understand the farmer's side too. Machinery on the farm can cost more than a luxury car and breakdowns may cost not only money in repairs but in losses. Some have the illusion that there are long slow days on the farm when the reality can be there are long very busy days. Six day work weeks aren't uncommon but benefits can be.

While there certainly are corporate places that might be competitive such as Monsanto, John Deere or other companies, it's more likely the target is a farm of much smaller scale.

Understand that when given directions to do something there is a reason for doing it the way you're told. Don't skip steps or take short cuts.

If you don't have experience be prepared to start literally at ground level - this often means feeding, scraping pens or other menial jobs on a livestock farm. These are important and, again, attention to details are crucial. If you ignore the cow that drags behind the others you might be ignoring signs of a cow getting sick when it can be more easily prevented.

Don't over exaggerate your experience. Honesty is the best policy and for most farmers an honest employee willing to learn is far more valued than an experienced one who is dishonest. Know your skills and what you can offer, but also recognize what you need to learn.

Being willing to be flexible is an asset also. Farmers know there is more money in other industries. If it's a pork farm consider if a benefit might be a market hog per year. If a dairy perhaps milk for the household is an option. Will you live on the farm or off? Is there opportunity to have a garden or other 'benefit' that may not be a cash benefit but does add to the home?

I've heard reports of dairies that everyone from pen scrapers on up gets $30+ per hour but have never found one that actually does. If they do it can likely be considered a temporary job as even with one hand, one feeder and two milkers minimum few farms make $120 per hour!

Be prepared to get dirty. The hours can be long, wet and cold. There are many reasons people love agriculture despite that. When you come out of the barn after milking to a beautiful sunrise when most of the world is still sleeping, or you watch the lambs playing in the pasture or see a young foal take her first wobbly steps you may feel something that money can't buy. That is the kind of people agriculture needs. As in hundreds of years past.

Hard working. Honest. A mix of tradition and progress. If you're sincere and meet these things consider a job in agriculture...understanding it's more than just a job.