Do You Have What It Takes to Work in Farming or Agriculture?

By Canadajobs.com Staff

job, jobs, career

Have you been considering a career in farming? Whether you are looking at traditional types of farming such as dairy, cattle, or chicken, or whether you are considering organic vegetables or a vineyard, farming takes a special kind of person.

Up With The Chickens:

Let's face it, agriculture is a lot of hard work. And that work starts early. If you prefer to roll out of bed later than earlier, this might not be the job for you. There is no sleeping in on the weekends either. Depending on the type of farm you operate, you could be working 14-16 hour days.

Able to Handle Stress?:

Working in agriculture can be stressful because there are a lot of things that are beyond your control.

Animals get sick, the weather can damage crops, and prices for your product can fluctuate. You must be able to handle stresses and have the determination to forge ahead. If frost comes early and you have to remove your product from the ground as soon as possible, you must be able to work under pressure and have the ability to remain calm.

Determination:

When the price for your crop or product is on the decline, you have to be able to rationally determine if your business can take it. You have to be the type of person who can see ahead and decide if the risks are worth it. In agriculture, you are at the mercy of the elements, product price fluctuations, and public opinion. You must have a strong belief in your ability to produce a safe and valuable product. Farming is about creating and continuing the food supply in some form or another and with everything that can get in your path, you will need determination.

Energy:

Working at a farm takes energy. Along with the early mornings, there are rarely any vacations. Cows must be milked usually twice a day and you can't skip any milkings. Animals must be taken care of if they become sick, whether it's Friday night or not. The life of a farmer is 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. And if you are doing it because you love it, you don't mind.

Knowledge:

You have to know your stuff. Whether it's animals you are raising or fruits and vegetables you're growing, you need to be on top of your game. Specialized universities and colleges offer programs in agriculture and they should be seriously investigated. Running a farm is a business. You will need business knowledge to go along with your farm knowledge and experience. On the farm, you will have to be able to do a little bit of everything, so it pays to make sure you know what's involved.

A career in agriculture and farming can be very rewarding. Knowing you are playing a role in getting food and products to people makes it all worthwhile. If you have what it takes and the strong desire to do what needs to be done, farming is a career worth investigating.