.png "Opportunities Abound for Your Future In Agriculture")
Nicole Ward Beckley
August 18, 2025
Newsletter ArticleBy Nicole Ward Beckley
When most people think of jobs in agriculture, what usually comes to mind? Typical answers are farmers, ranchers, animal care, equipment operators and farm laborers. While all these roles are undoubtedly integral to the industry of agriculture, many opportunities go beyond the traditional. The breadth of careers in agriculture is indeed vast and continuously growing.
No matter where you are in life — still in school, thinking about starting a career, moving up in your chosen field or ready to do something new — there are resources to help find the right fit for you.
The National FFA Organization has more than 1 million student members and 800,000+ alumni members. Through agricultural education, FFA prepares its members with leadership, personal growth and career success skills. The organization provides a free, interactive career discovery tool called AgExplorer.
Megan McGrady, educational development manager at National FFA, says that agricultural business, animal and plant systems are the top-visited career areas on AgExplorer.FFA.org. Each of these fields encompasses various skill sets, interests and work.
The Business of Agriculture
Careers in agricultural business involve connecting a multitude of industries with various sectors in agriculture. If you enjoy working with numbers and being indoors with others, for example, you might consider human resources and administration or banking, loans, and other financial services. These jobs deal with companies and their employees or customers seeking funding or credit options.
Agricultural business also includes roles pertaining to products, sales, marketing, procurement and distribution in areas such as crop services, supply chain management, international trade, production, logistics and many more. Entrepreneurship and small businesses are also strong and necessary in agribusiness.
The job outlook for these positions is promising, with growth rates faster (and much faster) than average. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, financial examiner jobs will grow at a rate of 21% from 2023 to 2033, marketing managers and human resources jobs at 8%, actuaries at 22%, operations research analysts at 23% and logisticians at 19%. The range of education and experience required for pursuing work in agribusiness varies as widely as the opportunities.
The Science of Animals
Animal science is a field that includes professions such as animal trainers, zoologists, pet groomers, veterinary assistants, feedlot managers, and so much more. Animal science jobs claim several spots in the BLS top 20 fastest-growing occupations: veterinarians, veterinary technologists and technicians, and veterinary assistants and lab caretakers are all set to increase 19% by 2033.
While many of the roles in this field are focused on the care, health and nutrition of livestock and other animals, some positions address animal genetics and reproduction, efficiencies in production operations, and processing products. Animal science includes unique roles, such as beekeepers, horse farriers and trainers, aquaculturists, and fishery technicians.
The Life of Plants
If seed production appeals to you, if you like to design landscapes, or if you enjoy outdoor field research, then plant science will likely interest you. In addition to many others, florists, turf and soil managers, horticulturists, and arborists are all essential positions in the plant science sector of agriculture.
The animal science realm contains roles for a wide range of workers: some require advanced education in chemistry or environmental science degrees, while others are trained on the job without prior experience. With a projected occupational growth of 5% (on par with the average), grounds maintenance workers, conservation scientists and foresters are here to stay. The job outlook for agricultural scientists is also promising; 8% (faster than average) expansion is predicted by 2033.
Additionally, agricultural education is a valuable career path. The National Association of Agricultural Educators reports a national shortage of agricultural science teachers. Depending on their degree level, experience, and interests, educators can teach at all levels, from middle school to post-secondary. The U.S. needs more people to teach agricultural education to prepare future agriculturists.
“There is always a need for individuals to fill the talent pipeline in the agricultural field,” said McGrady.
With diverse career pathways, there are very few limits in agriculture. There are good fits for all interests, encompassing everything from animals, business, and food science to skilled trades, plants, and technology.
Visit AgExplorer.FFA.org to take the MyCareer Quiz and learn more about your future in agriculture.
