An illustration appears on the screen that reads, “Career Pathways.” In this circular diagram, the following pathways are listed: Animal Systems, Biotechnology Systems, Environmental Service Systems, Food Products and Processing, Natural Resource Systems, Plant Systems, Power, Structural, and Technical Systems, Agribusiness Systems. On the same screen, two questions are posed: “Do you have a mind for business and mathematics?” And “Are you interested in economics and finance?”
If you have a mind for business and mathematics and are interested in the economics and finances of agricultural production, the agribusiness pathway might be a career path to explore.
Two experts examine crops and discuss their quality on a farm.
Agribusiness people like working in teams and using high-tech tools, such as drones, sensors, and GPS, to analyze production, maximize business, and increase efficiency.
Outside a cow barn, a man sits on the hood of his car writing in a notebook while working on a laptop. Two men in an open field discuss over a notepad. One hands a key to the other. Two large agricultural vehicles stand in the background.
Today’s agribusiness skills involve analyzing data from remote sensing technology, and evaluating big data and forecasting trends in crops, livestock, and markets. These skills in agribusiness are transferrable to almost all careers.
The header 'Agribusiness Careers' appears above a circular picture of someone working on a laptop.
Many people in agribusinesses focus primarily on the financial side of business. Accountants and bookkeepers are some of the people who manage a company’s finances.
On the same screen, another image appears. In this image, a man in a meeting room addresses two working professionals sitting on the opposite ends of the table. In the third image, a farmer sitting on the farm happily looks at the screen of his tablet.
Other people working in agribusiness focus on a product’s development, marketing, and distribution. In a smaller agribusiness, people often perform multiple roles and may handle financial duties as well as manage production, marketing, and sales.
A woman sows seeds in plantation trays, labeling them with names on wooden sticks. A woman rolls a beeswax candle through strips on a table.
Many SAEs will qualify as Agribusiness SAEs. You may sell new agricultural products, such as new feed formulations or a new seed treatment to help seeds germinate faster. Or maybe you would enjoy making and selling handmade bees wax candles at a farmers’ market.
A man trims grass on the ground with the help of a yard cleaning machine.
How about a lawn care or yard clean-up business?
A blog page from a farming website scrolls by, displaying the headline “Growing tomatoes, tomatoes, and More tomatoes!” The same blog runs on the screen.
Do you like writing? Does writing a weekly column about agricultural issues sound like something you would like to do?
A man shows a girl how to repair a drone in a workshop.
If you’re good with technology, you might consider offering drone repair services or designing a smartphone app for plant or animal identification.
Two sheep graze grass in an open field. Woolen rolls are kept in a basket on a table.
Have you considered a value-added enterprise like adding value to sheep production? You could add value by selling wool that has been dyed and spun into yarn.
SAE business owners write their daily business numbers on a whiteboard. An agri-scientist works on his laptop in the lab.
An agribusiness SAE will help you learn skills that can be used in many careers, including business plan development, recordkeeping, and effective team building.
Two young SAE owners relax on chairs on a balcony, playing with puppies.
Your SAE might even develop into a highly profitable agribusiness!
An agri-business expert checks on the crop at a net farm and prepares a report.
Many agribusiness careers require education beyond high school, such as attending a community college or a four-year institution.
A woman studies charts and bars on her desktop in the office. Students study agriculture in the class. One student asks questions to the professor & other students nod or look at the professor for answers.
Professionals often continue their education and acquire a master’s degree in business administration or another business area to help ensure they can manage their agribusiness successfully.
An agriculture business owner walks into her farm examining the crops with a device in her hands.
Today’s agribusinesses must remain profitable and sustainably produce food and fiber for our growing population—Are you up to the task?