Farm Worker
Farm workers, also known as agricultural workers, laborers, or harvesters, are essential to the agricultural industry, performing physical tasks on farms, nurseries, ranches, and greenhouses. They play a vital role in producing crops, livestock, dairy, and aquatic animals, carrying out a range of responsibilities from planting and harvesting to caring for animals and maintaining the equipment. While many farm workers are employed seasonally, those in animal agriculture often have more stable, year-round positions. The work environment can vary significantly, exposing workers to diverse weather conditions and requiring considerable physical strength and endurance.
Most farm workers do not need formal educational credentials, with many receiving short-term on-the-job training instead. However, backgrounds in agricultural science or biology can be beneficial. Despite the often challenging conditions and lower compensation, some farm workers view this role as a stepping stone to more advanced careers in agriculture. Safety and health risks, including exposure to chemicals and injuries, are prevalent concerns in this line of work. Overall, farm workers demonstrate resilience and a strong connection to nature, embodying the labor that sustains the agricultural sector.
Farm Worker
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
Interests: Agriculture, nature, being outside, working independently
Earnings (Yearly Median): $34,790 per year $16.73 per hour
Employment & Outlook: -2% (Decline)
Entry-Level Education: No formal education credential
Related Work Experience: None
On-the-job-Training: Short-term on-the-job training
Overview
Sphere of Work. Farmworkers, also known as agricultural workers, farm laborers, harvesters, or field workers, perform the physical labor necessary to operate farms, nurseries, ranches, slaughterhouses, and greenhouses. Farmworkers assist in the production of crops, livestock, dairy, and aquatic animals. Although specific tasks vary by employer and type of agricultural work, farmworkers are responsible for the care of crops and animals from conception to market.
Work Environment. Farms, nurseries, ranches, and greenhouses employ crop farmworkers on a seasonal basis. Crop farmworkers do not generally have set work hours but instead must work until the task (e.g., planting, harvesting, or irrigating) is completed. During the fallow seasons, crop farmworkers may be employed to maintain or repair farm machinery and equipment. Farmworkers employed at beef, poultry, pork, or aquaculture farms tend to have more consistent year-round work than crop farmworkers.
Occupation Interest. Farmworkers tend to be physically strong individuals who have stamina and resilience and value independence. Farmworkers should enjoy physical work, love nature, and have a background in agriculture. Although farm work is often poorly compensated, some farmworkers use this occupation as a stepping stone to more desirable careers in the industry.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. The daily occupational duties and responsibilities of farmworkers differ by specialization and work environment. Farmworkers may specialize in the production of crops, beef, poultry, pork, dairy, or aquaculture.
On crop farms, farmworkers primarily plant, tend, and harvest crops. Crop farmworkers first till and test the soil, managing soil nutrient levels as needed. They then plant, weed, and irrigate the fields to ensure proper watering, drainage, and healthy plant growth. Farmworkers use natural methods or pesticides and herbicides to manage pests, and they dispose of any pest- or blight-contaminated plants. At the appropriate times, they thin plants and harvest crops. Crop farmworkers may also use weather forecasting and management, store fuels and chemicals, load crops onto trucks for transport, and promote and sell crops.
Animal farm or ranch workers complete meat production tasks. They may work with beef cattle, chickens, turkeys, ducks, game birds, or pigs. Animal farmworkers are typically involved in feeding and watering, breeding, birthing, and housing livestock. Those who work with beef cattle and pigs medicate and vaccinate the animals as needed, transport and slaughter them, and promote and sell meat. Workers on cattle ranches or farms may also be required to brand, weigh, herd, or catch beef cattle. Pork farmworkers tend to piglets in the nursery and grow or finish pigs. Poultry farmworkers manage the hatchery, adjust the lighting in poultry buildings to encourage molting or egg laying, match stock size to seasonal demand, and promote and sell eggs and meat birds. Farmworkers may also debeak poultry, dispose of diseased or dead animals, and clean animal housing.
On dairy farms, farmworkers assist in the production of milk. Dairy farmworkers primarily care for milk cows. They set up feed storage systems for corn silage, alfalfa, hay, cottonseed, or soybeans. They also build a manure management system, construct and maintain a milking parlor, and establish a milking and milk storage system. Dairy farmworkers also promote, transport, and sell dairy products.
Aquaculture farmworkers support aquaculture farm production. They stock ponds or floating nets with eggs, shellfish, or juvenile fish, feed fish stock, and protect fish stock from predators and contamination.
In addition, all farmworkers are responsible for maintaining farm machinery, cleaning and sanitizing farm equipment, and repairing fencing, corrals, or animal pens.
Occupations Specialties
Diversified Crops Farmworkers. Diversified crops farmworkers drive and operate farm machines to grow and harvest a combination of crops, such as grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Dairy Helpers. Dairy helpers perform a variety of tasks, including keeping dairy clean, setting up equipment, inspecting dairy products, and storing and loading products.
Machine Milkers. Machine milkers tend machines that milk dairy cows.
Stable Attendants. Stable attendants care for horses and mules to protect their health and improve their appearance.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Farmworkers work in farms, nurseries, ranches, and greenhouses. Their work may expose them to all weather conditions. Farming tends to be very physical and requires extensive hard labor, walking, lifting, and bending. Farmworkers are at high risk for heat stroke, back strain, pesticide exposure, disease, animal-inflicted injuries, and machine accidents.
Human Environment. Farms, nurseries, ranches, and greenhouses tend to be remotely located and isolated. However, farmworkers do interact daily with farm managers and fellow workers. Some may have opportunities to interact with consumers.
Technological Environment. Farmworkers use farm machinery and equipment, such as animal feeders, hay balers, mowers, plows, fertilizing equipment, pesticide sprayers, trucks, irrigation systems, tractors, chain saws, loading machines, conveyor belts, and milking machines. Farmworkers may also use specialized software that keeps track of animal populations or global positioning systems, which enable farmers to effectively plant crops over large areas.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. A high school diploma is not required but is considered preferable. High school-level study of agricultural science, biology, and business can provide a strong foundation for work as a farmworker. Interested high school students should seek internships or part-time work with local farms. High school students may find employment as farmworkers directly following graduation. Those who intend to pursue a career in farming or farm management should consider applying to postsecondary programs in agriculture.
Postsecondary. Farmworkers typically do not need formal postsecondary training; however, those who complete the associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in agriculture, farm management, agronomy, or dairy science may have greater opportunities for advancement. Coursework in business and foreign languages may also prove useful in their future work. 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
− Farmer, Rancher, and Other Agricultural Manager
− Forestry and Conservation Worker
Bibliography
“Agricultural Workers.” Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 15 May 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/farming-fishing-and-forestry/agricultural-workers.htm. Accessed 26 Aug. 2024.