Chapter 3 Agriculture as a Career 123 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. As you can see, it takes a lot of careers in support services to keep agriculture in our nation functioning. More available careers in agricultural support services can be found in Figure 3-22. Agricultural Systems Agriculture can only function efficiently if all of the mechanical and structural systems are working correctly. Careers in agricultural systems focus on designing, manufacturing, and maintaining the mechanical equipment and structures that agriculturalists need to prepare, produce, and process agricultural commodities. Some of the careers in this area include: „ Agricultural Engineer. People who work as agricultural engineers design the machinery and equipment that allow agriculture to produce more products in a timely fashion. „ Agricultural Diesel Mechanic. These individuals troubleshoot and repair machinery in agriculture, mainly tractors and other farming implements. A more complete list of careers in agricultural systems is shown in Figure 3-23. Natural Resources Management People who have careers in natural resources management are concerned with the conservation and use of cultivated and uncultivated lands in our country and around the world. These careers focus on the renewable and nonrenewable things in the ecosystem that can be used for human well-being. Some careers in this area include: „ Range Manager. Range managers work to help the delicate balance between using land for animal grazing, and ensuring the land is still able Goodluz/Shutterstock.com Goodheart-Willcox Publisher Figure 3-22. Some support services are specific to agriculture whereas others support many other industries as well. For example, a hydraulic engineer may design agricultural machines as well as machines for the oil industry. Agricultural aviator Agricultural mechanics repair technician Animal behaviorist Animal nutritionist Computer support Crop consultant Crop insurance salesman Electrician Equipment salesman Fertilizer salesman Firefighter or specialist Groundskeeper Pharmacologist Plant pathologist Risk management analyst Soil analyst Transportation dispatcher Tree surgeon Veterinarian Veterinary assistant Waste management specialist Support Services