20 Agriculture Jobs That Might Surprise You

When you hear the word “agriculture,” images of crop fields, farmers and livestock may come to mind first. But you might be surprised by how many of today’s occupations are rooted in agriculture – including those far beyond the pasture. While farming might be the world’s oldest profession, the industry continues to evolve, creating all kinds of opportunities for modern agriculture jobs in a variety of areas. Check out the list below for 20 jobs in agriculture that might surprise you.

1. Aerial Applicator

The sky’s the limit for agriculture jobs – literally. Even though crop dusting has been around for roughly a century, aviation pilots do not often consider careers in agriculture. However, aerial applicators are key to efficiency in applying chemicals and fertilizers, as well as surveying.

See more: Delta State University’s New Pilots Are Prepared for Takeoff 

2. Agricultural Attorney

This type of lawyer may advise on various legal issues and regulations within the agricultural sector, such as business planning, compliance, permitting, zoning and more. Agricultural attorneys often work on topics like environmental issues, labor, land use, pesticide use, seed issues and water rights, to name a few.

3. Agricultural Crimes Investigator

Within the vast agriculture industry, there are many laws to regulate and enforce. For example, fraudulent sales surrounding ‘organic’ goods, abuse of farm animals, deceitful insurance claims and more. Agricultural crimes investigators work to protect the entire ag industry.

See more: How Tennessee’s Ag Crime Unit Protects the Industry

4. Agricultural Engineers

Agricultural engineers, as defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, focus on improving power supplies, machine efficiency, the use of structures and facilities, pollution and environmental issues, and the storage and processing of agricultural products. If you love problem-solving, there are many agriculture jobs under the large engineering umbrella, such as Bioprocessing Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Geospatial Analytics Scientist, Irrigation Engineer and Mechanical Engineer.

5. Agriculture Financial Representative

Finance professionals may focus on farmstead mortgages, insurance coverage and operating loans. Furthermore, opportunities for agribusiness and agritourism are endless. Bookkeepers and tax professionals may also find fruitful jobs in agriculture.

6. Viticulturist

This specific type of wine enthusiast researches how to improve grape yields and employs solutions for grape production. Viticulturists participate in land preparation, pest control, pruning, trellising and other facets of growing and harvesting fruit to make wine.

7. Agriculture Mechanic

It takes a (truck) load of knowledge to maintain trucks and equipment for all industries, including agriculture, construction and manufacturing. Mechanics may assemble parts, analyze performance, repair software and other duties. Agriculture mechanics may hold specific titles, like Assembly Technician, Automation Technician, Electronics Technician, Hydraulics Technician and Service Technician.

8. Agriculture Lobbyist

Because agriculture is heavily regulated, lobbyists collaborate with special interest groups to advocate for programs and policies that help farmers, ranchers and other industry professionals. Other agriculture jobs that involve policymaking include Advisor Government/Stakeholder Relations and Agricultural Policy Analyst.

9. Agrometerologist

An agrometeorologist studies how weather and climate affect cropping systems. These specialty-trained professionals may track data pertaining to air humidity, rainfall, temperature, wind and other elements.

10. Aquaculturist

Those who love to fish may consider working as an aquaculturist, one of the many fishing careers connected to agriculture. An aquaculturist oversees the development of aquatic organisms like fish, shellfish and seaweed. Their work includes breeding, feeding and harvesting, monitoring disease, analyzing water quality, and stocking bodies of water.

11. Creative Marketing Specialist

Marketing and social media play a large role in promoting agribusiness and agritourism. Communications professionals may help support agriculture by strategically promoting relevant campaigns and approaches.

12. Food Scientist

Foodies interested in biology, chemistry or microbiology may be perfect for a food science position. This agricultural job involves studying the makeup of food so scientists can grasp how to process, preserve, package and enhance various food products. A food technologist is an interrelated career opportunity focused on food safety and production.

13. Hardwood Floor Installer

Athletic or otherwise, avid sports fans can find success on the court. The construction of professional basketball courts and gymnasium floors centers on the forestry industry. It takes teamwork to source, dry, process, cut, finish and lay hardwood materials.

14. Horticulture Therapist

The terms “horticultural therapy” and “therapeutic horticulture” are often used interchangeably, but the approaches are slightly different. While both employ stimulating plant-based activities, horticultural therapy, as defined by the American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA), is typically a prescribed treatment facilitated by a trained (and registered) horticultural therapist who tracks individualized goals and achievements; whereas therapeutic horticulture is implemented with less stringent group-based objectives.

15. Language Translator

According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, roughly 25% of U.S. farm products by value are exported each year. Thanks to so much international trade, optimal communication and relationship building can be aided by language translators, especially those familiar with agriculture terminology.

16. Plant Geneticist

Those with a green thumb may enjoy exploring this agriculture job dedicated to researching the DNA of plants. Plant geneticists strive to understand and improve various elements, such as disease tolerance, shape and size.

17. Precision Agriculture Specialist

These tech-savvy professionals employ technological innovations – like drones, global positioning systems (GPS), sensors and other precise machinery – to help create, implement and monitor various aspects of agriculture. Drones, for example, are used to analyze erosion control, reforestation and wildlife conservation.

See more: How Drones are Improving Farming Operations

18. Reservoir Manager

This agricultural job focuses on evaluating oil and gas reservoirs to optimize production and energy sources. Typically, reservoir managers have expertise in engineering, geology and fluid mechanics.

19. Veterinarian

Not exactly the go-to expert for little Fido or Fluffy, large animal veterinarians specialize in the care and treatment of cows, horses, pigs and goats, as well as chickens, turkeys and other farm animals.

20. Wedding Planner

According to The Knot’s annual wedding survey, couples choose farms or barns as the top reception type – tied with banquet halls – topping country clubs, hotels and historical sites. Since a whopping 20% of couples plan to get hitched on a farm, there’s a strong connection between the agriculture and wedding industries.

More Agriculture Jobs to Consider:

• Agriculture Educator
• Agriculture Journalist
• Animal Geneticist
• Apiary Worker/Beekeeper
• Athletic Turf Manager/Golf Course Grounds Manager
• Floriculturist
• Food Distribution Manager
• Livestock Hauler/Truck Driver
• Mine Technician
• Rural Real Estate Agent/Analyst
• Seed Production Agronomist
• Soil Scientist/Soil Conservationist
• Supply Chain Manager

As shown by this lengthy list, careers in agriculture are plentiful. To explore more agriculture jobs, visit AgCareers.com.