Agricultural Workers Job Description
The process of growing, harvesting, and creating food products is vital to a society, and agricultural workers play an important role in this process. These workers can be found anywhere livestock is raised or crops are grown. The duties of agricultural workers can range widely, but all of these workers ensure that food products are made available and brought to market.
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Duties
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Farm and ranch workers care for and supervise the raising of livestock such as cattle, sheep, chickens, and pigs. These workers are responsible for feeding the animals, making sure living environments are cleaned, weighing animals, and monitoring livestock for sickness or injury. Those who work in nurseries, greenhouses, or agricultural farms are responsible for planting, harvesting, and watering crops, from food crops to shrubs, flowers, trees, and other plant materials.
Skills
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Agricultural workers typically do manual labor, and the primary skills they need are physical strength and endurance. Good manual dexterity and the ability to follow safety procedures are essential, especially for workers who use heavy equipment or work around animals.
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Education and Training
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Experience and education are not usually necessary for farm laborer employment. In fact, many workers do not have a high school diploma. These workers tend to start in menial positions, performing tasks requiring physical labor and few special skills. Agricultural workers most often learn their jobs while working, acquiring the skills necessary to perform more specialized tasks as they go along, such as operating machinery, managing other workers, or planning and organizing for the next planting or harvesting season. Being able to put in a hard day's work is essential.
Daily Life
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The life of an agricultural worker is often long and arduous. Farm and ranch workers are often required to perform physically demanding tasks in all kinds of weather conditions. Planting and harvesting seasons often require variable working schedules. Extended hours and weekend or holiday work is common when crops are being planted or harvested. Workers can also be exposed to hazardous environments that can include exposure to chemical pesticides and possible injury from equipment or livestock.
Salary and Jobs
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there were about 821,700 agricultural workers in 2008. These jobs are expected to experience little or no growth between 2008 and 2018, though job prospects should remain good because of high turnover rates. The average salary for agricultural workers varies greatly. For example, in 2008 farm laborers earned an average of $8.64 an hour, while animal breeders earned over $13.00 an hour. In addition to the low pay, farm work often offers fewer benefits than other occupations, though some employers supply seasonal workers with room and board.
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References
- Photo Credit Farming in Australia image by PoveyCam from Fotolia.com
