Summary for:
Farmers and Ranchers
Description:
On an ownership or rental basis, operate farms, ranches, greenhouses, nurseries, timber tracts, or other agricultural production establishments which produce crops, horticultural specialties, livestock, poultry, finfish, shellfish, or animal specialties. May plant, cultivate, harvest, perform post-harvest activities, and market crops and livestock; may hire, train, and supervise farm workers or supervise a farm labor contractor; may prepare cost, production, and other records. May maintain and operate machinery and perform physical work.
Sample of reported job titles:
Sample of reported job titles: Farmer, Dairy Farmer, Rancher, Farm Manager, Farm Operator, Cash Crop Farmer, Dairy Farm Operator, Grain Farmer, Beef Farm Operator, Cattleman
Tasks:
- Perform crop production duties such as planning, tilling, planting, fertilizing, cultivating, spraying, and harvesting.
- Plan crop activities based on factors such as crop maturity and weather conditions.
- Monitor crops as they grow in order to ensure that they are growing properly and are free from diseases and contaminants.
- Maintain facilities such as fencing, water supplies, and outdoor housing and wind shelters.
- Determine types and quantities of crops or livestock to be raised, according to factors such as market conditions, federal program availability, and soil conditions.
- Select and purchase supplies and equipment such as seed, fertilizers, and farm machinery.
- Maintain financial, tax, production, and employee records.
- Lubricate, adjust, and make minor repairs to farm equipment, using oilcans, grease guns, and hand tools.
- Set up and operate farm machinery to cultivate, harvest, and haul crops.
- Evaluate product marketing alternatives, then promote and market farm products, acting as the sales agent for livestock and crops.
Knowledge:
| Control Precision ó The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions. |
| Problem Sensitivity ó The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem. |
| Manual Dexterity ó The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects. |
| Multilimb Coordination ó The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion. |
| Depth Perception ó The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object. |
| Visual Color Discrimination ó The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness. |
| Category Flexibility ó The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways. |
| Flexibility of Closure ó The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material. |
| Static Strength ó The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects. |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness ó The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position. |
Skills:
| Controlling Machines and Processes ó Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles). |
| Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment ó Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft. |
| Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings ó Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
| Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material ó Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects. |
| Making Decisions and Solving Problems ó Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
| Getting Information ó Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
| Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment ó Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles. |
| Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge ó Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
| Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work ó Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
| Handling and Moving Objects ó Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things. |
Abilities:
| Freedom to Make Decisions ó How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer? |
| Structured versus Unstructured Work ó To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals? |
| Outdoors, Exposed to Weather ó How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions? |
| Duration of Typical Work Week ó Number of hours typically worked in one week. |
| In an Open Vehicle or Equipment ó How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or equipment (e.g., tractor)? |
| In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment ó How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or equipment (e.g., car)? |
| Very Hot or Cold Temperatures ó How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures? |
| Face-to-Face Discussions ó How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job? |
| Telephone ó How often do you have telephone conversations in this job? |
| Exposed to Contaminants ó How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)? |
Work Activities:
| Title |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed |
| Overall Experience |
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. |
| Job Training |
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. |
| Job Zone Examples |
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include funeral directors, electricians, forest and conservation technicians, legal secretaries, interviewers, and insurance sales agents. |
| SVP Range |
(6.0 to < 7.0) |
| Education |
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree. |
Work Values:
| Median wages (2008) |
$16.13 hourly, $33,550 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
1,058,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
 Decline slowly or moderately (-3% to -9%) |
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
95,000 additional employees |
Estimated Employment Total 2008:
