Agricultural Operations Manager
Agriculture & Farming
A general program that focuses on modern business and economic principles involved in the organization, operation, and management of agricultural enterprises.
What Agricultural Operations Managers Do
A general program that focuses on modern business and economic principles involved in the organization, operation, and management of agricultural enterprises.
Common Tasks
- 1Collect and record growth, production, and environmental data.
- 2Manage nurseries that grow horticultural plants for sale to trade or retail customers, for display or exhibition, or for research.
- 3Direct and monitor trapping and spawning of fish, egg incubation, and fry rearing, applying knowledge of management and fish culturing techniques.
- 4Direct and monitor the transfer of mature fish to lakes, ponds, streams, or commercial tanks.
- 5Determine how to allocate resources and to respond to unanticipated problems, such as insect infestation, drought, and fire.
Work Environment
Locations
- • Farms and ranches
- • Greenhouses and nurseries
- • Aquaculture facilities and fish hatcheries
- • Agricultural cooperatives and agribusiness offices
- • Timber tracts and forestry operations
Schedule
Schedules are often seasonal and can include early mornings, long days during planting/harvest, and moderate time pressure with occasional weekend or on-call needs.
Physical Demands
Work is a mix of office planning and field oversight, with moderate standing, walking, and handling of equipment or materials. Conditions can include outdoor weather, uneven terrain, and occasional bending or lifting.
Salary & Job Outlook
Top Paying States
Why Demand May Grow
Demand can rise as farms and agribusinesses adopt precision agriculture, data tracking, and more complex supply chains that require skilled management. Growth in aquaculture, greenhouse production, and specialty crops can also create new management roles.
Skills You'll Need
Pros & Cons
Pros
- • Leadership role with broad responsibility
- • Strong earning potential for experienced managers
- • Variety of work (business, people, and field operations)
- • Opportunities in diverse areas like aquaculture and greenhouse production
- • Work that can feel mission-driven (food, land, and resource stewardship)
Cons
- • Income and job stability can depend on weather and commodity markets
- • Long hours during peak seasons
- • High responsibility for safety, compliance, and financial outcomes
- • Work may involve outdoor exposure and physically active days
- • Some roles require managing labor shortages and turnover
Common Questions About the Agricultural Operations Manager Trade
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