What does an agriculture technician do?

Agriculture technicians use their specialized knowledge of crops and livestock to help farmers find the most efficient ways to use their land. Their duties often include helping producers to select crops based on soil conditions, choosing the right livestock to raise and making savvy business decisions for their farms. They also take field samples and run lab tests to learn more about farming conditions in a particular area.

Agriculture technicians may work directly for commercial farms, or they may work for other organizations such as governmental departments, food processing research and development firms, agricultural chemical companies and food inspection agencies.

If you become an agriculture technician, you’ll most likely divide your time between working in a lab, performing chemical analyses of soil, plant material and potential pathogens; in an office, preparing paperwork and data analysis reports; and in the field, examining soil, crops and livestock and interacting with farmers.

To become an agriculture technician, you generally need an associate’s degree in agricultural technology or a related field like agribusiness, horticulture or general agriculture. Some technician positions may require a bachelor’s degree. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median wage for an agriculture technician is $19.19 an hour.

If you have strong observation and communication skills and a genuine interest in farming and natural processes, becoming an agriculture technician may be the right career move for you.