The agriculture cluster is very diverse; careers range from the farm to the laboratory to the corporate office. This industry includes farmers who cultivate the land, raise livestock, and grow plants; businesses that purchase, process, distribute, and transport farm products and farm supplies; and the organizations that supply services to the farmer and the consumer.

Other sectors include areas of natural resources and environmental services. People who work in these areas develop, maintain, and manage the natural environment. Among other things, they monitor air quality, test for harmful chemicals in water supplies, enforce state and national laws at parks and preserve lands, and dispose of harmful waste materials.

Workers in this area need to have a deep understanding and appreciation for the natural environment, they can be involved with business, research, or technical aspects of this field.

Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Jobs

• Agricultural Engineers: Solve problems that are related to the way farms work.
• Agricultural Equipment Operators: Drive and control farm equipment, like tractors, balers, or tillers.
• Agricultural Graders and Sorters: Sort or classify raw food or other agricultural products.
• Agricultural and Food Science Technicians: Work to make sure farms are productive and the food produced on them is safe.
• Animal Breeders: Breed animals according to certain genetic traits.
• Animal Scientists: Conduct research on domestic farm animals.
• Biological Technicians: Assist biological and medical scientists in laboratories.
• Buyers and Purchasing Agents of Farm Products: Buy products from farms, either to process further, or to sell to another business.
• Clinical Research Coordinators: Manage all aspects of clinical research projects.
• Commercial Fishers: Use equipment to catch fish or other aquatic animals
• Environmental Engineering Technicians: Apply principles of environmental engineering to operate and test equipment that is used to help the environment.
• Environmental Engineers: Design ways to prevent and control pollution.
• Environmental Science Technicians: Perform laboratory and field tests to monitor the environment and find sources of pollution.
• Lumber Fallers: Use axes or chainsaws to cut down trees.
• Farm Animal Caretakers: Take care of farm, ranch, or water animals.
• Farm Equipment Mechanics: Repair and maintain large agricultural machinery.
• Farm Labor Contractors: Recruit and hire seasonal or temporary farm workers.
• Farmers and Ranchers: Coordinate the duties on farms, ranches, greenhouses, and other agricultural businesses.
• Farmworkers and Laborers :Plant or harvest vegetables, fruits, plants, or other crops.
• Food Scientists: Use chemistry, microbiology, engineering, and other sciences to analyze foods.
• Forest and Conservation Technicians: Measure and improve the quality of forests, including preventing forest fires.
• Forest and Conservation Workers: Perform manual labor to maintain or protect forests, woodlands, wetlands, or rangelands.
• Foresters:
• Garbage and Recyclable Material Collectors: Manage forested lands for economic, recreational, and conservation purposes.
• Geological and Petroleum Technicians: Collect garbage or recyclables from containers and put them into a truck.
• Hazardous Materials Removal Workers: Assist scientists in exploring and extracting natural resources, such as minerals, oils, and natural gas.
• Hunters and Trappers: Hunt and trap wild animals.
• Log Graders and Scalers :Estimate how much marketable value a log has.
• Logging Equipment Operators: Drive tractors or other equipment to stack logs, pull stumps, or clear brush.
• Natural Sciences Managers: Coordinate activities in a variety of scientific fields, such as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, or statistics.
• Nonfarm Animal Caretakers: Feed, water, groom, bathe, and exercise pets and other nonfarm animals.
• Pest Control Workers: Apply chemical solutions to kill or remove pests from homes or businesses.
• Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators: Apply chemicals to lawns or farm crops to kill weeds or pests.
• Soil and Plant Scientists: Research the breeding, production, and management of crops, trees, and plants.
• Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers: Directly supervise the work of agricultural, forestry, and fishing workers.
• Tree Trimmers and Pruners: Cut away dead or extra branches from trees or shrubs.
• Water Resources Engineers: Water resources engineers design and manage systems that treat polluted wastewater, and deliver safe water for homes or businesses.
• Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators: Operate an entire system of machines to transfer or treat water.
• Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists: Study the characteristics and habitats of animals and wildlife.