1. By: Dr. Frank Flanders and Anna Burgess Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office Georgia Department of Education June 2005 START Agricultural Careers

2. Job Duties & Responsibilities Plan next season’s crops, fix machinery, attend conferences and update records during the off season Determine what crop to grow depending on the market, weather, and size and location of the farm Purchase and apply fertilizer and pesticides Devise and repair irrigation systems Plant and harvest selected crops Select and purchase seeds and machinery Arrange for the marketing and sale of the crop Arrange for the transportation and storage of vegetables Maintain financial records

3. Qualities and Skills Obviously, a vegetable farmer should enjoy working with the land and making things grow. Vegetable farmers must be self-motivated, persevering, and patient. Due to the uncertainty and stress of this occupation, farmers should be flexible, able to adapt quickly, and have good problem solving abilities. They should enjoy studying the market and new trends in agriculture in order to make solid, practical decisions. Vegetable farmers must have good business management, as well as strong leadership and communication skills.

4. Salary Incomes of vegetable farmers vary greatly from year to year because the prices of farm products fluctuate depending upon weather conditions and other factors that influence the quantity and quality of farm output and the demand for those products. Income also depends on the size of one’s farm. Many individuals have small vegetable farms and also work a second job to supplement their income. The larger the farm and the greater variety of vegetables grown, the more likely a farmer is to make a substantial profit. Vegetable farmers can average anywhere between $15,000 and $60,000 per year depending on crops grown and size of farm.

5. Work Environment Most work is done outdoors Work hours are sunrise to sunset during planting and harvesting seasons Most farmers work 60+ hours per week and days off are very infrequent Environment can fluctuate due to extreme weather conditions Work can be hazardous due to accidents caused by heavy equipment, machinery, and chemicals Much time may be spent on a tractor or in a truck

6. Becoming a Vegetable Farmer Completion of a 2-year degree or a 4-year bachelor’s degree program in a college of agriculture, with some added emphasis in business, is becoming increasingly important. Even after obtaining formal education, those with no prior farm experience will most likely need to spend time working under an experienced farmer to learn how to put into practice the skills learned through academic training. A small number of farms offer, on a formal basis, apprenticeships to help young people acquire such practical skills.

7. Career Resources American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers 950 Cherry St., Suite 508 Denver, CO 80222 Internet: http://www.asfmra.org National Corn Grower’s Association 122 C Street, N.W., Suite 510 Washington, DC 20001 Internet: http://www.ncga.com United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association 1901 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 1100 Washington, DC 20006 Internet: http://www.uffva.org Crop Life America 1156 15th Street, NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20005 Internet: http://www.acpa.org