Career Information

Agricultural Workers
Nature of the Work
Working Conditions
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
Employment
Job Outlook
Earnings
Related Occupations
Sources of Additional Information

Significant Points:

Duties and working conditions vary widely, from raising

plants in greenhouses, to harvesting crops and tending to
livestock outdoors, to inspecting agricultural products at
border crossings.
Farmworkers learn through short-term on-the-job
training; agricultural inspectors and animal breeders require
work experience or a college degree.
Most farmworkers receive low pay and perform
strenuous work outdoors in all kinds of weather but many
enjoy the rural lifestyle.
Employment is projected to decline slightly.

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[About this section [To Top

Nature of the Work
] ]

Agricultural workers play a large role in getting food, plants,

and other agricultural products to market. Working mostly
on farms or ranches or in nurseries, slaughterhouses, or
ports of entry, these workers have numerous and diverse
duties. Among their activities are planting and harvesting
crops, installing irrigation, delivering animals, and making
sure that our food is safe.

More than 8 out of 10 agricultural workers are farmworkers

and laborers. Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and
greenhouse perform numerous activities related to growing
and harvesting grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, fiber, trees,
shrubs, and other crops. Among their activities are planting
and seeding, pruning, irrigating, harvesting, and packing
and loading crops for shipment. Farmworkers also apply
pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers to crops; repair fences;
and help with irrigation. Nursery and greenhouse workers
prepare land or greenhouse beds for growing horticultural
products, such as trees, plants, flowers, and sod. Their
duties include planting, watering, pruning, weeding, and
spraying the plants. They may cut, roll, and stack sod; stake
trees; tie, wrap, and pack plants to fill orders; and dig up or
move field-grown and containerized shrubs and trees.

Farmworkers, farm and ranch animals care for live farm,

ranch, or aquacultural animals that may include cattle,
sheep, swine, goats, horses, poultry, finfish, shellfish, and
bees. The animals are usually raised to supply such products
as meat, fur, skins, feathers, eggs, milk, and honey. The
farmworkers' duties may include feeding, watering, herding,
grazing, castrating, branding, debeaking, weighing,
catching, and loading animals. On dairy farms, farmworkers
operate milking machines; they also may maintain records
on animals, examine animals to detect diseases and injuries,
assist in delivering animals at their birth, and administer
medications, vaccinations, or insecticides as appropriate.
Daily duties of such farmworkers include cleaning and
maintaining animal housing areas.

Other farmworkers known as agricultural equipment

operators operate a variety of farm equipment used in
plowing, sowing, maintaining, and harvesting agricultural
products. The equipment may include tractors, fertilizer
spreaders, haybines, raking equipment, balers, combines,
and threshers, as well as trucks. These farmworkers also
operate machines used in moving and treating crops after
their harvest, such as conveyor belts, loading machines,
separators, cleaners, and dryers. In addition, they may
make adjustments and minor repairs to equipment. When
not operating machines, agricultural equipment operators
may perform other farm duties that are not typical of other
farmworkers.

Agricultural inspectors, another type of agricultural worker,

are employed by Federal and State governments to ensure
compliance with laws and regulations governing the health,
quality, and safety of agricultural commodities. Inspectors
also make sure that the facilities and equipment used in
processing the commodities meet quality standards. Meat
safety is one of their prime responsibilities, and they try to
ensure that the meat we eat is free of harmful ingredients or
bacteria. In meat-processing facilities, inspectors may collect
samples of suspected diseased animals or materials and
send the samples to a laboratory for identification and
analysis. They also may inspect livestock to help determine
the effectiveness of medication and feeding programs. Some
inspectors are stationed at export and import sites to weigh
and inspect agricultural shipments leaving and entering the
country to ensure the quality and quantity of the shipments.
A few work at logging sites, making sure that safety
regulations are enforced.

Graders and sorters of agricultural products examine

agricultural commodities being prepared to be packed for
market and classify them according to quality or size
guidelines. They grade, sort, or classify unprocessed food
and other agricultural products by size, weight, color, or
condition and discard inferior or defective products. For
example, graders sort eggs by color and size and also
examine the fat content, or marbling, of beef, assigning a
grade of 'Prime,' 'Choice,' or something else, as appropriate.
The grade that is assigned determines the price at which the
commodity may be sold.

Animal breeders select and breed animals using their knowledge of genetics and
animal science to produce offspring with desired traits and characteristics, such as
chickens that lay more eggs, pigs that produce leaner meat, and sheep with more
desirable wool. Animal breeders also raise and breed animals simply to sell their
offspring for money, including cats and dogs and other household pets. The larger and
more expensive animals that are bred, such as horses and cattle, are usually bred through
artificial insemination, which requires the taking of semen from the male and then
inseminating the female with it. Using this process insures better results and also enables
one prized male to sire many more offspring than through conventional mating. To know
when and which animals to breed, breeders keep detailed records, including the health of
the animal, its size and weight, and the amount and quality of the product produced by
the animal. They also keep track of the traits of the offspring. Some breeders work as
consultants for a number of farmers, while others breed and raise their own animals for
eventual sale or breeding. For breeders that raise animals, they may also have to care and
clean animal shelters, feed and water the animals, and oversee their day-to-day health or
supervise others that perform these jobs. Additionally, animal breeders read journals and
newsletters to remain current with the latest information on animal breeding and
veterinary advice.

[About this section [To Top

Working Conditions
] ]

Working conditions for agricultural workers vary widely.

Much of the work of farmworkers and laborers on farms and
ranches takes place outdoors in all kinds of weather and is
physical in nature. Harvesting fruits and vegetables, for
example, may require much bending, stooping, and lifting.
Workers may lack adequate sanitation facilities while
working in the field, and their drinking water may be limited.
The year-round nature of much livestock production work
means that ranch workers must be out in the heat of
summer, as well as the cold of winter. While some of these
workers enjoy the day-to-day variability of the work, the
rural setting, working on the land, and raising animals, the
work hours are generally uneven and often long, and work
cannot be delayed when crops must be planted and
harvested or when animals must be sheltered and fed.
Weekend work is common, and farmworkers may work a 6-
or 7-day week during planting and harvesting seasons.
Because much of the work is seasonal in nature, many
workers also obtain other jobs during slow seasons. Migrant
farmworkers, who move from location to location as crops
ripen, live an unsettled lifestyle, which can be stressful.

Work also is seasonal for farmworkers in nurseries; spring

and summer are the busiest times of the year. Greenhouse
workers enjoy relatively comfortable working conditions
while tending to plants indoors. However, during the busy
seasons, when landscape contractors need plants, work
schedules may be more demanding, requiring weekend
work. Moreover, the transition from warm weather to cold
weather means that nursery workers might have to work
overtime with little notice given in order to move plants
indoors to protect them from a frost.

Federal meat inspectors may work in highly mechanized

plants or with poultry or livestock in confined areas with
extremely cold temperatures and slippery floors. The duties
often require working with sharp knives, moderate lifting,
and walking or standing for long periods. Many inspectors
work long and often irregular hours. Inspectors may find
themselves in adversarial roles when the organization or
individual being inspected objects to the inspection or its
potential consequences. Some inspectors travel frequently to
visit farms and processing facilities. Others work at ports,
inspecting cargo on the docks or on boats.

Graders and sorters may work with similar products for an

entire shift, or they may be assigned a variety of items.
They may be on their feet all day and may have to lift heavy
objects, whereas others may sit during most of their shift
and do little strenuous work. Some graders work in clean,
air-conditioned environments, suitable for carrying out
controlled tests. Some may work evenings or weekends
because of the perishable nature of the products. Overtime
may be required to meet production goals.
Animal breeders spend most of their time outdoors around
animals, but can also work in offices or in laboratories. If
consulting, breeders may have to travel from farm to farm.
If they need to sell the offspring, breeders may have to
travel to attend shows and to meet with potential buyers.
While tending to the animals, breeders may be bitten or
kicked.
Farmworkers in crop production risk exposure to pesticides and other hazardous
chemicals sprayed on crops or plants. However, exposure is relatively minimal if safety
procedures are followed. Those who work on mechanized farms must take precautions to
avoid injury when working with tools and heavy equipment. Those who work directly
with animals risk being bitten or kicked.

Training, Other Qualifications, [About this section [To Top

and Advancement ] ]

Farmworkers learn through short-term on-the-job training.

Most do not have a high school diploma. Workers without a
high school diploma are particularly common in the crop
production sector, where there are more labor-intensive
establishments employing migrant farmworkers.

In nurseries, entry-level workers must be able to follow

directions and learn proper planting procedures. If driving is
an essential part of a job, employers look for applicants with
a good driving record and some experience driving a truck.
Workers who deal directly with customers must get along
well with people. Employers also look for responsible, self-
motivated individuals, because nursery workers sometimes
work with little supervision.

For graders and sorters, training requirements vary on the

basis of their responsibilities. For those who perform tests
on various agricultural products, a high school diploma is
preferred and may be required. Simple jobs requiring mostly
visual inspection may be filled by beginners provided with
short-term on-the-job training.

Becoming an agricultural inspector requires relevant work

experience or some college course work in a field such as
biology or agricultural science. Inspectors are trained in the
applicable laws or inspection procedures through some
combination of classroom and on-the-job training. In
general, people who want to enter this occupation should be
responsible, like detailed work, and be able to communicate
well. Federal Government inspectors whose job performance
is satisfactory advance through a career ladder to a specified
full-performance level. For positions above this level
usually supervisory positions advancement is competitive
and based on agency needs and individual merit.
Advancement opportunities in State and local governments
and in the private sector often are similar to those in the
Federal Government.

The education and training requirements for animal breeders

vary with the type of breeding they do. For those whose
primary activity is breeding, particularly livestock and other
large or expensive animals, rather than raising animals, a
bachelor's degree or higher in the animal sciences is
recommended with courses in genetics, animal breeding,
and animal physiology. For those with experience raising
animals or those who are breeding their own animals, an
associate's degree or other postsecondary training in animal
breeding is recommended. Experience working around
animals, especially on a farm, is helpful, even for those
getting a degree.

Advancement of agricultural workers depends on motivation

and experience. Farmworkers who work hard and quickly,
have good communication skills, and take an interest in the
business may advance to crew leader or other supervisory
positions. Some agricultural workers may aspire to become
farm, ranch, and other agricultural managers, or farmers or
ranchers themselves. (Farmers, ranchers, and agricultural
managers are discussed elsewhere.) In addition, their knowledge of raising and
harvesting produce may provide an excellent background for becoming purchasing agents
and buyers of farm products. Knowledge of working a farm as a business can help
agricultural workers become farm and home management advisors. Those who earn a
college degree in agricultural science could become agricultural and food scientists.
 [About this section [To Top
Employment
] ]
Agricultural workers held about 834,000 jobs in 2004. Of these, farmworkers were the
most numerous, holding about 690,000 jobs. Graders and sorters held about 45,000 jobs,
agricultural inspectors 14,000 jobs, agricultural equipment operators 60,000 jobs, and
animal breeders 12,000 jobs. More than 66 percent of all agricultural workers worked for
crop and livestock producers, while more than 5 percent worked for agricultural service
providers, mostly farm labor contractors.

Job Outlook [About this section [To Top

] ]

Overall employment of agricultural workers is projected to

decline slightly over the 2004'14 period, primarily reflecting
the outlook for farmworkers in crops, nurseries, and
greenhouses, who make up the large majority of all
agricultural workers. Low wages, the physical demands of
the work, and the large numbers of workers who leave these
jobs for other occupation should result in abundant job
opportunities, however.

Continued consolidation of farms and technological

advancements in farm equipment that make farmworkers
both more efficient and less needed will cause fewer of them
to be hired. Farmworkers will increasingly work for farm
labor contractors rather than being hired directly by the
farm. The agriculture industry also is expected to undergo
increased competition from foreign countries and rising
imports, particularly from Central America, owing to the
passing of a free trade agreement with that region. Nursery
and greenhouse workers should experience some growth in
this period, reflecting the increasing demand for landscaping
services.
Slower-than-average employment growth is anticipated for agricultural inspectors.
Governments at all levels are not expected to hire significant numbers of new inspectors,
choosing to leave more of the routine inspection to businesses. Slower-than-average
growth also is expected for graders and sorters, while employment of agricultural
equipment operators is expected to decline slightly, reflecting the agriculture industry's
continuing ability to produce more with fewer workers. Animal breeders also will grow
more slowly than the average, as large commercial farmers continue to attempt to breed
the perfect animal. However, because the occupation is so small there will be few job
openings.

Earnings [About this section [More salary/earnings info [To Top

] ] ]
Median hourly earnings in May 2004 for each of the occupations found in this statement
are as follows:

Agricultural inspectors $14.92

Animal breeders 13.55
Agricultural workers, all other 10.15
Agricultural equipment operators 8.88
Farmworkers, farm and ranch animals 8.31
Graders and sorters, agricultural products 7.90
Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and
7.70
greenhouse

Few agricultural workers are members of unions.

[Please note that the earnings and salary data listed here is
usually from government sources and may be dated, so
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