In 1935, 6.8 million farms dotted the rural landscape of America, according to the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In the most recent survey from 2024, that number had fallen to only 1.88 million farms. This is due to a number of factors: Agricultural land has been sold into development; finding economic viability as a farmer is increasingly difficult; fewer young people are entering the industry; and more. Something needs to be done, and I see hope in youth interested in agriculture. These kids are our future. Not all of them will go into a career we’d traditionally call “farming,” but that’s a good thing. Careers that support agriculture are as essential to the future of farming as the farmers themselves. Some of these careers require training in a trade, and some require a longer college degree, but many viable career options are worth considering.
Agricultural Mechanics
Agricultural mechanics are technicians who maintain and repair farm equipment. Typical work includes making mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical repairs; installing new equipment upgrades; and troubleshooting when farmers are unable to diagnose a problem themselves. There’s generally no further education required beyond a high school diploma or an equivalent, but some employers may ask for a vocational school certificate or an associate degree in agricultural mechanics (or similar). Most technicians work in a shop setting, though some offer field service, traveling each day from farm to farm. Youth interested in an agricultural mechanics career may benefit from reaching out to a nearby shop or trade school to look into job shadowing or apprenticeship opportunities.
Agribusiness
Agribusiness careers involve managing an agricultural business, marketing products, and providing similar business support to the agricultural community. Acacia Acord is the vice president of a bank as well as an agriculture and commercial loan officer. A typical day in her life starts with completing a few chores on the ranch before driving to town. At work, she begins with a couple of department meetings and then she moves into calling customers. They’ll discuss current loans or deposit accounts, and Acord will answer questions and address any concerns. She says she appreciates these customer interactions. After they cover the loans, they’ll often talk about the grandkids and daily farm life. She also helps make connections in the ag community; for example, when one customer is trying to sell an item another customer needs.
Agricultural Education
Agricultural education offers two major pathways: extension offices and schools. Extension agents are employed by a land-grant university and work in a regional extension office. These agents can work in several focus areas, including 4-H youth development, agriculture and natural resources, community development, and family and consumer sciences. Extension agents often work with both youth and adults. They plan and run outreach programs to educate the community, such as holding school assemblies, leading classes, teaching hands-on activities, arranging career fairs, and more. A typical day includes taking calls and questions from local farmers, attending training sessions, and visiting schools or businesses.
Agricultural teachers are tasked with teaching courses at middle and high schools, and often serve as advisers for Future Farmers of America (FFA) programs. These teachers generally have expertise in a variety of agricultural areas, including mechanics, agronomy, and livestock production. In some cases, they may teach other classes or electives within the school too. A typical day in the life of an ag teacher might include teaching multiple classes, attending faculty meetings, writing a recommendation letter for a student, and hosting an FFA meeting after the school day ends. Youth interested in this pathway should take agricultural courses and meet teachers in the field.
Agronomy
Agronomy is the study and application of soil and crop management. Mark Miller is a sales agronomist who specializes in liquid application at an agronomy center. He says a day in his career is long but rewarding. As an applicator, he travels around the area, one field at a time, applying herbicides, fungicides, and various nutrients specified by the farmer. Generally, a career like his requires a bachelor’s degree with an agricultural or agronomy major, such as agricultural science or crop science. Miller recommends gaining experience through agricultural courses in high school, and he says the career field values math and science. Additionally, young adults can look into internship opportunities through a nearby agronomy or fertilizer sales center, as hands-on experience can be valuable for both applying for positions and considering potential careers.
More than ever, we need youth to consider joining the agricultural industry. There’s no shortage of careers to choose from. If you’re contemplating your future path, remember, there’s much more to agriculture than just farming!
Sara Bailey is an Ohio 4-Her who is passionate about exploring the future of agriculture. She’s currently studying at Ohio State University as an animal sciences major and plans to one day pursue a career as a livestock and equine veterinarian.
Originally published in the July/August 2025 issue of Grit magazine and regularly vetted for accuracy.
