Careers in Agriculture
CAREERS IN AGRICULTURE
Help your students develop a deep understanding of their role in the agricultural industry by exploring a diversity of careers with varying skill sets. These resources were compiled to complement our new educational product - a set of 10 agricultural career posters for the classroom. Each poster features a Georgia industry professional. Interested in ordering a set? Email info@gafoundationag.org for more information. All proceeds benefit the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture programs.
Interested in ordering some career posters for your classroom? Email info@gafoundationag.org
CLICK HERE TO TAKE OUR AG CAREER TEST
CLICK EACH IMAGE BELOW TO VIEW MORE DETAILS BY CATEGORY
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FOOD PRODUCTION & PROCESSING
Career |
Degree & Training |
Resources |
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Featured Career: *Chef* |
Culinary Art Degree |
Featured: Chef Kevin Gillespie | A Local's Guide to Atlanta |
| Food Safety Inspector |
Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Health with a Food Safety Certification |
USDA Food Safety: FSIS Professionals Work to Protect Public Health |
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Sales Representative |
High School Diploma with a Food Safety Certification |
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| Nutritionist |
Registered Dietitian Certification and Licensure |
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| Butcher |
High School Diploma/ Math and Language Skills |
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Meat Processing |
High school diploma with HACCP Certification |
Wright Family Opens Meat Processing Facility in Chattooga County |
NATURAL RESOURCES
Career |
Degree & Training |
Resources |
|---|---|---|
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Featured Career: *Beekeeper* |
High School Diploma with Certification in Beekeeping |
Featured: Stephanie Peterson - Ag Teacher, Beekeeper & Hive Removal - On The Job Videos |
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Wildlife Biologist |
Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Science |
Ranger Nick – Nick is Researching a Wild Animal’s Behavior |
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Game Warden |
Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife Management with POST Certification |
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Soil Technician |
Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science |
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| Forester |
High School Diploma with Certification in Beekeeping |
Third Generation Logger Working to Keep Business and Industry Thriving |
AG MECHANICS & TECHNOLOGY
Career |
Degree & Training |
Resources |
|---|---|---|
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Featured Career: *Precision Ag Specialist* |
A bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering, agronomy, or agricultural business. Having your certified crop adviser certification may also be required. |
Featured: Simerjeet Virk - Ranger Nick: A Tool to Help with Precision Agriculture |
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Equipment Operator |
Certifications for Specific Equipment Training |
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Truck Driver |
Commercial Driver’s License |
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Mechanic |
High School Diploma with Agricultural Mechanics Program completion |
How to Become a John Deere Mechanic | Prairie State Tractor's Technician Apprentice Program |
| Welder |
Welding Certification Program |
ANIMAL SCIENCE & PRODUCTION
Career |
Degree & Training |
Resources |
|---|---|---|
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Featured Career: Veterinarian |
Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Science, Completion of GRE, and completion of a 4 year DVM program |
Featured: Vets for a Day (Full Episode) | Critter Fixers |
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Poultry Production Manager |
Bachelor’s in Livestock and Poultry Program Manager |
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Animal Nutritionist |
Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science/ Animal Nutrition |
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Meat Inspector |
Technical degree in agriculture, horticulture, environmental science, pest control, entomology, or a closely related field. |
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| Rancher |
No Degree Required, Specific on the Job Training |
BIOTECHNOLOGY
Career |
Degree & Training |
Resources |
|---|---|---|
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Featured Career: *Lab Technician* |
A bachelor’s degree in laboratory science, biology, chemistry, etc. is required to be a laboratory technician. |
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Research Station Manager |
A bachelor’s degree in agriculture, horticulture, crop science or soil science or animal science |
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Data Processor |
High School Diploma |
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Microbiologist |
Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology and Master’s in Sub-Field of Microbiology with Internship |
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Plant Breeder |
Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics |
A Student's Guide to Careers in Plant Breeding 2020 UGA Cotton & Peanut Field Day - Cotton Breeding & Genomics |
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
Career |
Degree & Training |
Resources |
|---|---|---|
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Featured Career: *Hydroponics Producer* |
No Degree - farming and gardening experience required |
Featured: R&G Farm |
| Environmental Engineer | A bachelor's degree is needed to become an environmental engineer. Environmental engineers typically need a bachelor's degree in environmental engineering or a related field, such as chemical, civil, or general engineering. |
Environmental Engineering Career Spotlight #HowIBecame An Environmental Engineer - Jeanette - Spotlight Series by Gladeo.Org |
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Pest Control Advisor |
Pest Control License |
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Fisheries Technician |
Associates Degree in Wildlife Management or Bachelors in Science |
Carl's Journey from Egg to Adult Fish - An Author's Inspiring Story |
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Toxicologist |
Bachelors in Toxicology |
Occupational Video - Toxicologist What are exciting career paths in toxicology? Understanding Pesticides: Understanding the Toxicology Maxim |
| Entomologist |
Bachelors in Entomology |
PLANT SCIENCES
Career |
Degree & Training |
Resources |
|---|---|---|
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Featured Career: *Landscape Professional* |
While a formal education is not required, it can be helpful to have a degree in landscape architecture, horticulture, botany, or a related field. |
Featured: Ruppert Landscape |
| Greenhouse Worker | A bachelor's degree in horticulture is preferred but can also have an associates degree. The following high school courses are recommended: agricultural education, a focus on sciences such as botany, biology, horticulture, and mathematics. | |
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Turf Manager |
High School Diploma Required |
UGA Turfgrass Management Alumni UGA Turf Breeders Work With Industry To Create Better Grasses |
| Agronomist |
Bachelors in Agricultural Science or Food Science |
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Grower |
Bachelors in Agricultural Science or related field. |
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| Florist |
High School Diploma and Hands-on Training |
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Plant Pathologist |
Bachelors Masters in Plant Pathology |
AGRIBUSINESS & AG COMMUNICATIONS
Career |
Degree & Training |
Resources |
|---|---|---|
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Featured Career: *Ag Lawyer* |
4 year undergrad program 3 year law school program with Agriculture field study Compete and pass the BAR exam for license to practice |
Featured: James Bates Brannan Groover LLP |
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Farm Manager |
A Bachelor in Agriculture, Animal Science, Equivalent |
From Farm to Table: How One Family's Love for Beef Transformed into a Thriving Business! Georgia Farmer Begins Olive Production Large Georgia Family-Owned Vegetable Operation Proud Of Humble Roots Careers in Agriculture: Farm Manager - Ellie Norris Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers Career Video |
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Loan Officer |
Bachelors in Banking, Finance, Economics, or related fields. |
Field to Film: Career Snapshots | Agriculture Loan Officer |
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Accountant |
Bachelors in Accounting |
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| Journalist |
Bachelors in Journalism, Writing , English, related fields |
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Lobbyist/Advocates |
Bachelor's degree in any field. Preferably in political science, public relations, economics, law, journalism or communications. |
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Agri-tourism Coordinator |
No Degree Required, specified training in related fields |
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION
Career |
Degree & Training |
Resources |
|---|---|---|
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Featured Career: *Classroom Ag Teacher* |
Bachelors in teaching or selected field of study. Completion of GACE |
Featured: Agriculture Educator of the Week - Robbie Wilkes Newton County Ag Teacher Shares Excitement For Ag Education Middle Georgia Ag Teacher Shares His Love For Educating Students FFA Chapter Diversifying Students’ Curriculum Careers in Agriculture: Agriculture Science and Technology Teacher - Nicole Bambino |
| Young Farmer Teacher/Advisor |
Degree, certification, or studies in related agricultural fields. |
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| FFA Camp Director |
Bachelor's Degree in Education, preferred in Ag Ed or FCS Ed. |
Georgia FFA-FCCLA Center Facility Video Georgia FFA-FCCLA Center, Covington, GA - Website |
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Agricultural Education State Staff |
Bachelor’s degree preferred in agricultural education or related field, or relevant experience. |
COMMUNITY AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION
Career |
Degree & Training |
Resources |
|---|---|---|
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Featured Career: *4-H Specialist* |
Degree as Education specialist or Equivalent Field |
Featured: Brittani Lee, Cobb County 4-H Agent |
| Farm To School Manager |
Bachelors with relevant work experience |
Learn about Farm to School with Georgia Organics Golden Radish Awards |
| Ag Program Manager |
Bachelors with relevant work experience |
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Camp Director |
Bachelors in related fields of study are preferred. |
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Extension Agent |
Bachelors in Youth Development, Sociology, Social Sciences, Human Studies, or other related field |
Meet UGA Extension Agent Cole Moon |
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
CAREERS BY COMMODITY
Commodity |
Resources |
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Peanuts |
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| Dairy | |
| Beef | |
| Wheat | |
| Poultry | |
| Vidalia Onion | |
| Blueberries |
OTHER
My American Farm - Free Online Games
Georgia Ag Ed Website - Careers in Agriculture