5 Lucrative Careers in Agriculture Science

Agriculture Science: 5 Top Careers

• Farm Managers
• Agricultural Consultants
• Soil Scientists
• Food Science Technicians
• Agriculture Regulation Experts

Graduates who are looking for lucrative careers in agriculture science have many great opportunities available to them. Agricultural science is a field of biology that examines agriculture and how it relates to economics, social science, and natural sciences. Because it is such a broad field, the careers available to agriculture science graduates are quite flexible, and five of the most popular careers in this exciting field are described briefly in the following sections.

1. Farm Managers

Among the most popular careers available to agricultural science grads are farm managers. Farm managers can choose to work on crop farms or livestock farms, and their responsibilities vary depending on which type of farm they choose to work for. On crop farms, they are mainly responsible for overseeing the planting, fertilizing, spraying, and harvesting of crops. On livestock farms, they are responsible for supervising the care and breeding of animals. Both types of farm managers are also responsible for such tasks as maintaining financial records, maintaining inventory, setting production goals, and ensuring the maintenance of farm equipment.

2. Agricultural Consultants

Another popular career in agriculture science involves agricultural consulting. Agricultural consultants can be found working for many different employers including large industrial farms, agricultural consulting firms, government agencies, and agricultural development agencies. Their primary responsibility is to provide valuable advice to farm managers that will help increase their efficiency and profitability. Common daily tasks of agricultural consultants typically include analyzing crop yields, conducting land valuations, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations, giving presentations and demonstrations, and preparing reports.

3. Soil Scientists

Becoming a soil scientist is another terrific career choice for agriculture science graduates. Soil scientists are employed by a broad range of organizations including land use companies, construction companies, environmental consulting firms, conservation agencies, and landscape design companies. Their responsibilities may vary depending on their specific employers but often include such tasks as collecting soil samples, examining the composition and chemical properties of soil samples, analyzing the impact of soil on various organizational goals, and providing advice to employers.

4. Food Science Technicians

Food science technicians are also among the most popular careers in agriculture science today. These positions are growing at a rate of about seven percent according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the average salary for these professionals was about $64,000 in the year 2018. The main job of a food science technician is to determine the quality of various food and food products. Common daily tasks often include analyzing food and agricultural products, examining livestock, testing livestock feed, ensuring food and food containers comply with safety regulations, and conducting research.

Related Resource: 20 Best Affordable Bachelor’s in Agriculture Science

5. Agricultural Regulation Experts

Yet another lucrative career for agricultural science majors is known as an agricultural regulation expert. These professionals often work for various local, state, or federal government agencies to ensure that food production companies follow food production laws and regulations. They are responsible for many important tasks including examining the processes and procedures of food production companies, suggesting methods to improve processes and procedures, developing more effective ways to package food and food products, and educating farmers and food production companies on current laws and regulations regarding food production, storage, and packaging.

Agriculture science is a subsection of biology that offers a wide array of job possibilities. Although there are many lucrative careers in agriculture science, five of the most popular career options are discussed briefly in the preceding passages.