Careers in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources are numerous. Depending on their jobs, they may work outdoors or indoors. Food and Natural Resources careers also involve a great deal of variety, and options to work both indoors and outdoors.

Agricultural workers have a range of responsibilities, from planting, cultivating, grading, and sorting agricultural products to inspecting agricultural commodities and facilities. They may work with food crops, animals, or trees, shrubs, and plants. Natural Resources workers help develop, maintain, and protect nature by growing and planting new tree seedlings, fighting insects and diseases that attack trees and plants, and helping to control soil erosion. Careers in Food link farmers and other agricultural producers with consumers.

Overall employment of agricultural, food and natural resources workers is projected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations, through 2010. Landscape and horticultural services should be among the most rapid job growth in this category, reflecting the demand for agricultural services such as landscaping.

Professionals in these industries must be good communicators who are determined, and motivated. Common sense, organization, and stress-tolerance are also important.

There are several courses of study that would help make someone successful in this career field. Some suggested courses are:

• algebra
• business mathematics
• geometry
• CAD/CAM
• nutrition
• biology
• chemistry

Working conditions vary widely. Work in this industry tends to be seasonal; spring and summer are the busier times of the year and hours in the cold weather tend to be fewer.

In many cases, professionals in this field work independently. Some individuals have long commutes to and from their work site.