Farm and Home Management Advisor
Farm and Home Management Advisors play a crucial role in supporting individuals and families engaged in agriculture and home economics. Also known as farm management specialists or extension educators, they provide valuable insights into agricultural research, best practices, and technological advancements in farming. These advisors offer hands-on demonstrations and personalized advice to help clients with various topics, including crop management, nutrition, and family budgeting. They typically work in diverse environments, including farms, nurseries, educational institutions, and community settings, and engage with a wide range of stakeholders, from farmers to local government workers.
Despite a decline in job outlook, with a projected decrease of 5%, the average annual earnings in this field are approximately $83,770. Advisors are expected to possess strong communication skills, critical thinking abilities, and a solid background in agriculture or home economics. Education paths often include degrees in related fields, along with practical experience through internships. The work of Farm and Home Management Advisors also includes conducting community workshops and connecting families with social services, making them vital resources for enhancing agricultural productivity and family nutrition.
Farm and Home Management Advisor
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
Interests: Agriculture, food production, home economics, communicating with others
Earnings (Yearly Average): $83,770 per year $40.27 per hour
Employment & Outlook: Decline (-5% )
Overview
Sphere of Work.Farm and home management advisors support individuals and families involved in agricultural or home economics pursuits. They are also known as farm management specialists, country agricultural agents, extension educators, crop consultants, and farm and nutrition specialists. Farm and home management advisors are a resource for individuals and families interested in learning more about current agricultural research and best practices for agricultural production, new farm technology and equipment options, and connections between crops, pesticides, nutrition, and health. Farm and home management advisors provide demonstrations and hands-on advice.
Work Environment. Farm and home management advisors work with individuals and families in farms, nurseries, ranches, greenhouses, and educational institutions. Farm and home management advisors may be employed as independent consultants, government employees, 4-H employees or volunteers, or agricultural school or college educators. Farm and home management advisors do not generally have set work hours but instead visit farms on request to provide support and consultation. They also hold classes and workshops throughout the community. Farm and home management advisors travel extensively for their work.
Occupation Interest. Farm and home management advisors tend to be knowledgeable, intelligent, and persuasive individuals who exhibit charisma, stamina, organization, and good time management. As they are instructors, farm and home management advisors should have excellent critical thinking skills, be effective communicators, and enjoy working with others. A background in agriculture, food production, and home economics is essential.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. The farm and home management advisor’s daily occupational duties and responsibilities vary by specialization and work environment. Farm and home management advisors may specialize in farm consultants, family consultants, community educators, or research.
Farm consultants meet with agricultural producers and offer help diagnosing, preventing, or solving agricultural production problems. They advise individual farmers on livestock management, pest control, harvesting techniques, and farm finances. In addition, farm and home management advisors research questions from individual farmers and help them develop farm management plans.
Family consultants meet with families to offer advice and support on topics such as budget planning, nutrition, home management, energy conservation, child-rearing, education, home farming or gardening, and food preservation or canning.
Farm and home management advisors who focus on community education offer classes and workshops throughout their communities on topics such as farming best practices, home economics, and nutrition. These farm and home management advisors reach out to their communities through educational pamphlets and newsletters, school visits, local radio and television interviews, and booths at state fairs and 4-H events. To handle appearances at special events and programs, they may also recruit and oversee volunteers.
Farm and home management researchers generally work for educational institutions and government agencies. They collect and analyze data on community farming issues, community health, and family nutrition needs. They then use this information to develop and implement programs to address community and family needs.
In addition, all farm and home management advisors work to connect farmers and individual families with available social services and health care support and resources.
Four-H Club Agents (096.127-022).4-H Club Agents identify, recruit and assist volunteer leaders in teaching and advising youth. They assist local leaders in establishing programs that develop leadership, responsibility and productivity.
County Home-Demonstration Agents (096.121-010). County Home-Demonstration Agents develop, organize and conduct programs in such areas as nutrition, clothing, home management and childcare for individuals in rural and urban communities to improve farm and family life.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Farm and home management advisors work in very diverse environments, which include farms, nurseries, ranches, greenhouses, government agencies, homes, schools, state fairs, and 4-H meetings. Farm and home management advisors are at higher than average risk for back strain from extensive standing and walking as well as possible pesticide exposure and machine accidents when visiting farms and ranches.
Human Environment. A farm and home management advisor interacts regularly with farmers, farm managers, farmworkers, families, government workers, teachers, program volunteers, local community leaders, and the public.
Technological Environment. Farm and home management advisors demonstrate to farmers how farm machinery should best be used. Therefore, they should be knowledgeable about animal feeders, hay balers, mowers, trucks, irrigation systems, tractors, chainsaws, and milking machines. Farm and home management advisors also use computers, Internet communication tools, accounting software, farm management software, and spreadsheets to complete their work.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students interested in pursuing a career as a farm and home management advisor should prepare themselves by building good study habits. Classes in agricultural science, home economics, advanced mathematics and economics, and business can provide a strong foundation for work as a farm and home management advisor or college-level study in the field. Those interested in this career path should seek internships or part-time work with local farms to become familiar with the diversity of farm and home management advisor responsibilities.
Postsecondary. Aspiring farm and home management advisors should pursue an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in agriculture, farm management, home economics, nutrition, agronomy, and dairy science. Training in teaching, communication, and finance may also be helpful in preparation for future work in the field. Postsecondary students can gain work experience and potential advantage in their future job searches by securing internships or part-time employment with local farms.
Related Occupations
− Career & Technical Education Teacher
Bibliography
"Farm and Home Management Advisors." O*NET OnLine. Natl. Center for O*NET Development, Dept. of Labor, 6 Aug. 2024, www.onetonline.org/link/summary/25-9021.00. Accessed 26 Aug. 2024.
“Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers.” Occupational Outlook Handbook, US Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Dept of Labor, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/management/farmers-ranchers-and-other-agricultural-managers.htm. Accessed 26 Aug. 2024.
“Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023: 25-9021 Farm and Home Management Advisors.” Occupational Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Dept of Labor, 3 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes259021.htm. Accessed 26 Aug. 2024.