Crop Farm Manager
Agriculture & Farming
Cultivate grain, fiber, forage, oilseed, fruits and nuts, vegetables, and other domesticated plant products.
What Crop Farm Managers Do
Cultivate grain, fiber, forage, oilseed, fruits and nuts, vegetables, and other domesticated plant products.
Common Tasks
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
- 1Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- 2Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
- 3Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
- 4Supervise laboratory sessions and field work and coordinate laboratory operations.
- 5Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
What You'll Learn
Types of Crop Farm Managers
Work Environment
Locations
- • Crop farms and ranches
- • Greenhouses and nurseries
- • Agricultural cooperatives and grain elevators
- • Aquaculture facilities and hatcheries
- • Extension offices and field sites
Schedule
Schedules often follow planting and harvest seasons, with longer days and weekend work during peak periods and more routine hours in the off-season.
Physical Demands
Work is a mix of office planning and field time, including walking fields, inspecting equipment, and handling materials. Moderate standing, bending, and lifting are common, with weather exposure during outdoor work.
Salary & Job Outlook
National Employment: 924,600 jobs
Top Paying States
Why Demand May Grow
Demand can rise as farms adopt precision agriculture, irrigation upgrades, and integrated pest management that require skilled managers to improve yields and reduce waste. Climate variability and supply-chain pressures also increase the need for strong planning, risk management, and compliance oversight.
Skills You'll Need
Pros & Cons
Pros
- • Strong earning potential in management roles
- • Varied work combining business decisions and hands-on field operations
- • Opportunities to use technology like GPS, sensors, and farm management software
- • Clear impact on food production and sustainability
- • Pathways to entrepreneurship or running your own operation
Cons
- • Long, unpredictable hours during planting/harvest and weather events
- • Income and workload can be affected by drought, pests, and market swings
- • Regulatory, safety, and labor compliance responsibilities can be stressful
- • Outdoor work in heat, cold, dust, and chemicals requires precautions
- • May require managing seasonal labor and resolving conflicts
Common Questions About the Crop Farm Manager Trade
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