Crop Farmer

Holland Code:

Persuade

Knowledge is our most powerful engine of production.

Katelyn Duncan

In A Nutshell

I grow food for people, feed for animals, and sometimes, what I grow even goes into producing fuel for our vehicles.

I'm responsible for the hiring and management of farm workers, financial and production records, and the purchasing and maintance of machinery, equipment, and buildings.

I constantly research findings on crop varieties, soil and crop additives, machinery, and technology, and use these to guide my growing decisions.

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Potential Salary Range

$43,000 - 71,000 Annually

Which provinces would this job be in?

Alberta

British Columbia

Manitoba

New Brunswick

Newfoundland & Labrador

Nova Scotia

Ontario

PEI

Prince Edward Island

Quebec

Saskwatchewan

My workplace changes constantly! In the seasonal months, I'm seeding our crops, walking in our fields to check on them, spraying crops for maintenance, and then harvesting them. In the off-season months, I’m in the office planning production and going through paperwork.

Workplace

Outdoor

Job Requirements & Duties

Research and purchase seeds to plant for the season
Prepare the soil for planting
Prepare machinery for use in the field, and maintain it year-round
Train employees on how to identify crop pests and diseases
Manage finances and make sure employees and expenses are paid
Oversee and participate in planting and harvesting
Understand fertilizer and pesticide requirements, and make decisions about applications
Manage our crops throughout the growing season, and arrange for someone to buy and transport them after harvesting
Research crop and machinery innovations, and keep up to speed on industry trends and global crop markets

Education & Training

While no post-secondary education is required, a college or university degree in an agriculture-related field is very beneficial.
People that are interested in this career will need to get hands-on experience in farm management in order to set themselves up for success.

Job Outlook

Working in this field often requires significant money and time investments, just like other entrepreneurial career choices. But, there will always be a need for food producers in Canada, so the job outlook is good!

Related School Subjects

Ed. Prof. et Tech.

Science

Career Education

Math

What words come to mind when thinking about this career?

Crops Growing Farming Food

Important Skills

Organizational

I’m responsible for running many different aspects of our cropping business; I have very developed coordination and organization skills so all aspects are given the right amount of attention.

Critical Thinking

I work closely with agronomists, commodity traders, truck drivers, sales representatives, accountants, lawyers, and more. This means I receive a ton of information from all kinds of professionals. I take in their advice, recommendations, and suggestions, but then, need to evaluate and apply this knowledge to my family's farming business - because we're in charge of our own decisions and outcomes.

Money Management

Managing a farm business means being able to grow, maintain, harvest, and sell our crops to make a profit. The only way we can have a successful farm is if we are profitable and generate value, so I need to understand farming finances, such as expenses, budgeting, and markets.

Adaptability

So much of this job is dependent on the weather and other factors that are beyond my control. Crop farmers have to be able to adapt to challenges and make the best out of whatever situation they’re given.

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The Best Things About This Job Are…

Independent Work

Own Boss

Flexible Work Environment

Seasonality

Improves and Protects the Environment

Making a Difference in the World

References

Crop Farmer: Job Description and Career Advancement Info. (2019).

General Farm Worker in Canada. (2020).

Disclaimer

All career information has been gathered from a variety of sources and compiled to provide a general idea as to what each career could entail. Agriculture in the Classroom Canada is committed to doing our best to ensure the information is current and reliable. However, we will not be liable for the accuracy of the information. Please contact us if you notice errors or would like to provide feedback.