Farm Manager
Agriculture & Farming
A program that focuses on the general planning, economics, and use of facilities, natural resources, equipment, labor, and capital to produce plant and animal products, and that may prepare individuals for work in farming, ranching, and agribusiness.
What Farm Managers Do
A program that focuses on the general planning, economics, and use of facilities, natural resources, equipment, labor, and capital to produce plant and animal products, and that may prepare individuals for work in farming, ranching, and agribusiness.
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.
Types of Farm Managers
Work Environment
Locations
- • Farms and ranches
- • Greenhouses and nurseries
- • Aquaculture facilities and fish hatcheries
- • Agribusiness offices and co-ops
- • Timber tracts and forestry operations
Schedule
Schedules are often seasonal and can include early mornings, long days during planting/harvest, and occasional weekend or on-call work to handle weather, equipment, or livestock issues.
Physical Demands
Work mixes office planning with field oversight, requiring moderate standing, walking, and handling of tools or materials. Physical demands increase during peak seasons and when responding to urgent problems like pests, drought, or equipment breakdowns.
Salary & Job Outlook
National Employment: 912,200 jobs
Top Paying States
Why Demand May Grow
Demand can grow as farms and agribusinesses adopt more data-driven production, aquaculture, and controlled-environment agriculture that require skilled managers. Replacement needs remain steady as many current operators retire or transition ownership.
Skills You'll Need
Pros & Cons
Pros
- • Varied work combining business decisions and hands-on operations
- • Strong earning potential in management roles
- • Opportunities to lead teams and run an operation
- • Work tied to food production and natural resources
- • Pathways into ownership or entrepreneurship
Cons
- • Income and job stability can depend on weather and commodity prices
- • Long hours and high responsibility during peak seasons
- • Exposure to outdoor conditions, allergens, and farm hazards
- • Regulatory, labor, and safety compliance can be demanding
- • Some roles require relocation to rural areas
Common Questions About the Farm Manager Trade
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