Agricultural managers supervise and coordinate farming operations. An agricultural manager’s duties and responsibilities vary depending on the size and nature of the operation. General duties include selling crops, caring for livestock, supervising the operators of tenant farms, deciding which crops to plant and in what quantities, setting up planting and harvesting schedules, scheduling activities with farm operators, planning work schedules of full-time employees and temporary workers, deciding when crops should be sold for maximum profit, and identifying and correcting farm problems. An agricultural manager may work for a corporation, a private farm owner, a corporation, or a farm management firm.
Agricultural managers should have great leadership skills and a passion for agriculture. They must also be tenacious and willing to work long hours under the sun. In terms of education, most employers seek candidates with at least a college education and a background in farming. There are a lot of degree programs in farm management or in related areas such as agricultural economics, business, finance, and crop or animal science. It would also be beneficial for aspiring farm managers to have a certification from any accredited organization. Usually, one must have a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science, several years of practical experience, and knowledge of farm-related course work to be formally accredited as a farm manager.
The average annual salary of agricultural managers whether in farm, ranch, or other areas is $54,900 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Firms and private organizations usually offer some benefits but self-employed farm managers must provide their own benefits.