Agricultural Careers Pick-Your-Own Producer

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

2. What does a Pick Your Own Producer do? • During the off season, farmers plan next season’s crops, fix machinery, attend conferences and update records • Determine what crop to grow depending on the market, weather, 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 • Maintain financial records

3. What kind of qualities and skills are needed? A pick-your-own producer should enjoy working with the land and making things grow. They also need to be self-motivated, persevering, and patient. They need to be flexible and able to adapt quickly to weather and environment changes. Strong leadership and communication skills will be beneficial in persuading people to buy their produce from their farm.

4. What is my salary? The salary for a pick-your-own producer varies based on location, acres farmed, crops produced and the market. Some producers raise crops on the side as a supplement to their income and some farm full time. Naturally, the larger the area farmed and the greater the variety farmed, the greater the potential for increased income. Finding a niche market is also a great way to increase profit.

5. What are the conditions of the 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. Level of education required No formal education is required, but completion of a 2-year associate’s degree and preferably a 4-year bachelor’s degree program in a college of agriculture, with some emphasis in business is becoming increasingly important. Business and marketing skills are much more important in this specialty market than for a typical crop grower. 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.

7. How to become a producer…. • High school training should include courses in mathematics and in biology and other life sciences. Many schools have agricultural education programs which offer lectures in row crop production and agribusiness. • If not living on a farm, work a summer or part time job with a local produce grower or farmer’s market to get a feel for the market and the responsibilities of having your own farm. • Participate in production agriculture programs and contests offered by 4-H and the National FFA Organization. • Take as many agriculture classes as possible, especially those related to production agriculture. • Subscribe to a farm magazine focusing on vegetable or crop production.