Careers in agriculture include more than working on a farm. Today, technology, innovation and science are at the forefront of agriculture, offering a huge diversity of exciting and stimulating jobs. From finance to sales, marketing and information technology, no matter your background there’s a job in agriculture out there for you.
Here are five exciting agriculture jobs you’ve never heard of (and will want to do).
Agri-tech Entrepreneur
If you’re an ideas person who wants to help the environment or produce a healthy and sustainable food supply, you could be one of the many people launching or working for an agri-tech startup. Companies like The Climate Corporation, Blue River Technology, Farmeron and Granular, have taken Silicon Valley by storm, producing innovative and creative ways to help and improve the agriculture industry.
Agricultural Journalist
Agricultural journalists write about issues such as new technologies and machinery, food production, and government regulations, keeping those working in agriculture updated on the latest news and developments in the industry.
Print and Packaging Designer
The food that is produced on a farm ends up in your favourite grocery stores, and someone has to make sure it looks appealing enough for customers to buy it. That’s one of the job roles of a print and packaging designer. Packaging is the first experience customers will have with any type of food that has been produced on a farm, so this role is very important and requires a creative mind.
High-tech Farmer
Like your standard farmer, only with a lot more technology. High technology farming refers to agricultural methods using the latest technology like hydroponics (growing plants in water) and aeroponics (growing plants in the air), to enhance farming operations. With drones to survey crops and satellites to drive tractors, high tech farming is reshaping the agriculture industry and saving farmers time, money and energy.
Adventurer
This isn’t your typical 9-5 role, and you probably won’t find it during a job search. But this is someone’s job. Max MacGillvray is the founder of The Great Fruit Adventure, and is embarking on an epic trip across Europe and Africa (on a motorbike) to raise awareness of the importance of fruit and vegetables and where they come from. Joining him is Gareth Jones, who runs a milk delivery company and completed a 6 month 21,000km solo ride around Southern Africa.
Agriculture is a career of the future, and innovative technologies and advancements in the industry are constantly creating new jobs. The stereotypical image of those working in the industry is changing, and we’re doing our bit to contribute to that change.
Every year, Blue Skies hold a School Farm of the Year Competition in Ghana to encourage more young people to consider farming as a career. We award prizes to the school that produces the best farm and engages its students to foster a positive attitude about food and agriculture.
Find out the latest news and see some great images from this year’s competition.