1. Agribusiness Library LESSON L060004: AGRIBUSINESS CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

2. Objectives 1. Describe how to prepare for a career in agribusiness. 2. Research the land grant colleges in the united states, and identify the types of agricultural- degree programs they offer. 3. Identify personal characteristics that relate to career success. 4. Explain opportunities in agribusiness, and identify companies or other major employers in the various sectors of agribusiness.

3. Key Terms Appearance Career Career goal Goal setting Job Morrill land-grant acts Occupation Personal skills Personality Philosophy Self-image Social skills

4.  A career is the direction a person’s life takes as related to his or her choice of work.  Before choosing a career, a person should be involved in agriculture- related jobs or occupations to see if that career is the best choice.  A job is the work a person performs for a salary and benefits.  An occupation is work that has a title and specified duties.

5.  A. To be successful in a career, a person has to be productive and have the necessary personal skills.  Personal skills are a person’s abilities to relate to others productively.

6.  B. Being successful in a career requires setting and achieving goals.  A career goal is a level of accomplishment a person wants to attain in a career.  Goals can change as a person changes, but goal setting does not.  Goal setting is the first step in describing what a person wants to do with his or her life.

7.  C. Education and training is important in preparing for an agribusiness career.  A person can receive agribusiness training in high school, junior college, and college.  Education should be related to the desired career field.  Training and education is also available through student organizations, such as the National FFA Organization.

8.  The Morrill Land-Grant Acts allowed for the creation of land-grant colleges.  The Morrill Acts granted federally controlled land to the states.  The mission of land-grant colleges is to teach agriculture, military tactics, mechanical arts (engineering), and home economics.  One of the aims of the acts was to provide a college education to members of the working class.

9.  A. A political movement began in the 1840s to create agriculture colleges.  It was led by Professor Jonathon Baldwin Turner of Illinois College.  The Morrill Act that called for the creation of agricultural colleges was first proposed in 1857.  It was passed by Congress in 1859, but it was vetoed by President James Buchanan.  The act was amended and resubmitted in 1861.  It was signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln on July 2, 1862.

10.  B. Land-grant institutions are commonly classified as 1862, 1890, and 1994 institutions.  The designations are based on the date of the legislation that gave them land-grant status.  A total of 76 land-grant institutions exist in the United States.

11.  C. Some of the agricultural- degree programs are agribusiness management, agricultural communications, agricultural economics, agricultural education, and animal production.  Degree programs include animal science, farm management, fisheries and aquatic science, food science, forestry, horticultural science, and natural resources and environmental science.  Some other degree programs are plant genetics and plant breeding; soil and crop science; and turf science.

12.  To be successful in a career, a person must possess various personal characteristics.  These important characteristics include a positive self-concept, social skills, a professional image, and communication skills.

13.  A. Self-concept is the same idea as self-image.  Self-image relates to a person’s visual impression of himself or herself.  A positive self-image increases productivity and job satisfaction.  A person’s philosophy also relates to his or her self-concept.  A philosophy is a person’s principles related to conduct, thought, and knowledge.

14.  B. Social skills are traits used in interacting with others.  These skills are also associated with a person’s self-image and philosophy.  Positive social skills will ensure a person’s ability to get along with co- workers and customers.

15.  1. Social skills are largely determined by an individual’s personality and appearance.  a. Personality is the emotional, thought, and behavior patterns of an individual.  b. Appearance (how someone looks) is an important factor in the development of personality and social relations.  Skills in social relations can be learned through practice and education, thereby improving a person’s worth.

16.  2. Social skills include social traits, such as respecting other people, being courteous, using common greetings like “Hello” and “Good Morning,” commending people when they have done a good job, and seeking and accepting the advice of others.  a. Other social relations skills include using effective verbal and nonverbal communication, choosing appropriate times to criticize, helping others feel good about themselves, having faith in the decisions of others, and having empathy or understanding of alternative positions on an issue.  b. Personality-related social relations skills include honesty and integrity, sensitivity, cooperation, flexibility, supportiveness, self-confidence, dependability, emotional maturity, enjoyment from work, confidence in others, and wise use of power.

17.  C. A positive professional image is essential for people who work with others.  Working with co-workers and customers requires appropriate social skills and a positive attitude.  D. Good communication skills are necessary for any career choice.  Communication skills include verbal, nonverbal, and written communication.

18.  The exploration of agribusiness career opportunities is an important process that involves matching personal goals with available opportunities.  A. When trying to identify career opportunities in agribusiness, a person should ask himself or herself a number of questions to help make plans for obtaining the needed education and skills.

19.  The questions include the following:  1. What are the opportunities for employment and advancement?  2. What are the duties and responsibilities of the job?  3. What is the compensation that can be expected?  4. What characteristics do businesses seek when hiring?  5. What businesses have such a position?

20.  B. The agriculture industry is extremely diverse and supports a wide range of career opportunities related to agribusiness.  1. Numerous careers are available to people interested in agrimarketing: transportation, packaging, storing, processing, and retailing.  2. The meat and livestock industry provides products to more than 350,000 restaurants in the United States.  To do so, federal meat inspectors ensure safe products at more than 1,400 U.S. plants.  The meat and livestock industry also employs wholesalers and retailers in more than 260,000 retail markets.

21.  3. More than $18 billion worth of feed is sold to farmers yearly.  The feed industry is responsible for processing and selling the feed.  More than 100,000 people are employed in manufacturing feed, and more than 2,000 people are employed as wholesale dealers.  In addition, there are more than 20,000 retail dealers.  4. The fruit and vegetable industry employs more than 220,000 people per year.  Many of these people work in one of the 22,000 U.S. processing plants.

22.  5. The ornamental horticulture industry is worth approximately $25 million annually.  More than 16,000 businesses sell lawn and garden supplies, and more than 23,000 businesses sell flowering and bedding plants.  6. The dairy industry provides jobs for more than 145,000 people.  These jobs include supervision, management, specialists, and administration.

23.  7. Agribusiness credit and financial services offer a variety of careers on a local, national, or international level.  To succeed in one of these areas, a person must possess knowledge of agricultural economics and be able to interpret agricultural policies.  a. Experience required for careers in agribusiness credit include an understanding of finance, accounting, economics, production agriculture, land values, and production costs.  b. Education needed to be successful in an agribusiness financing career includes a college degree.  College classes should cover issues such as money and banking, farm management, and business law.  Many companies offer technical training within their firms.

24.  8. Natural resources support a large number of agribusinesses and related careers.  Fishing, hunting, and trapping enterprises are a part of this category.

25. REVIEW How does an individual prepare for a career in agribusiness? What are the land grant colleges in the united states? What types of agricultural-degree programs do they offer?

26. REVIEW What personal characteristics are related to career success? What opportunities exist in agribusiness? How do you identify companies or other major employers in the various sectors of agribusiness?