Career Explorer > Career Details
| Agricultural Extension Agent |
$44,960 Annual Average (US Bureau of Labor and Statistics) |
| Career Cluster: Education & Training | |
| General
Information: Organizes and conducts cooperative extension program to advise and instruct farmers and individuals engaged in agribusiness in applications of agricultural research findings. |
|
| Career
Information: Agricultural Extension Agents give information and guidance to the public on community, youth and human development issues as well as agricultural, environmental, economic and rural concerns. Extension agents teach improved methods to farmers, ranchers, families and youth. Working with federal and state extension specialists, agents collect, analyze and evaluate agricultural data in order to plan and develop techniques that will assist farmers in solving problems. For example, an Agricultural Extension Agent may research soil erosion prevention methods and make recommendations to a farmer who has a soil erosion problem. Agricultural Extension Agents lead workshops for agricultural groups on topics such as, range management, soil and water management, solar and wind energy, farm and wildlife management and other matters that affect the land. They may give talks on lawn grasses, shrubs, weeds, crop strains, production and marketing skills. Agents prepare fact sheets, reports, press releases, audio tapes, teaching videos and brochures. Agricultural Extension Agents also give lectures and prepare articles on subjects, such as farm management and soil conservation. They keep in touch with the local press, radio and television media to provide accurate information to the public. As informal teachers, extension agents may work with farmers one-on-one or in groups. They may give advice in person, on the phone, by letter, in their office or at meetings. Agents work with people in meetings, camps, projects, satellite conferences, tours, fairs and special events. Extension agents develop and coordinate programs for youth through the 4-H program. Agricultural Extension Agents may supervise staff who work on specific projects or subject matter such as nutrition, gardening, parenting or animal sciences. They also organize community-wide volunteer recruitment programs and meet one on one with prospective volunteers, as well as with committees of volunteers. They train volunteers and develop programs that teach life skills and guide young people in citizenship and leadership activities. |
|
| Educational
Requirements: 4 year degree |
|
| Suggested High School/Collegiate
Courses: Agriculture, family and consumer sciences, community and youth development or education. Masters degree preferred. |
|
| Skills
Necessary: Mathematical , Analytical , Oral Communications , Interpersonal , Creative , Highly Motivated , Organizational , Motivational , Scientific , Dependable , Patience , Adapts to Change , Team Player , Work independently , Decision Making , Enthusiatic , Computer Skills , Written Communications , Self-Motivated , Leadership , Detail Oriented , Tactful , Presentational , Research , Technical , Basic Business Principles , Responsible , Goal Oriented , Customer Service , Logical , Negotiating , Investigative , Helps Others , Orderly Minded , Initiative , Good Judgment , Inquisitive , Determination , Confidence , Innovativeness , Outgoing Personality , Motivational , Persistent |
|
| Job
Availability: Good Growth |
|
| Location
of jobs: Federal, state local government, universities, research facilities or extension offices |
|
| Working
Conditions: Wide variety of indoors and outdoors. Work with people, equipment and technology. |
|
| FFA
Programs that Promote this Career: Agri-Entrepreneurship , Agriscience , CDE: Ag Communications , CDE: Ag Issues , CDE: Ag Mechanics , CDE: Ag Sales , CDE:Agronomy , CDE: Creed Speaking , CDE: Dairy Cattle , CDE: Dairy Handlers Activity , CDE: Diary Foods , CDE: Environmental and Natural Resources , CDE: Extemporaneous Public Speaking , CDE: Farm Business Management , CDE: Floriculture , CDE: Food Science & Technology , CDE: Forestry , CDE: Horse Evaluation , CDE: Job Interview , CDE: Livestock Evaluation , CDE: Marketing Plan , CDE: Meats Evaluation & Technology , CDE: Nursery and Landscape , CDE: Parliamentary Procedure , CDE: Poultry Evaluation , CDE: Prepared Public Speaking , Supervised Agriculture Experience: Exploratory , Supervised Agriculture Experience: Research/Experimentation & Analysis , Supervised Agriculture Experience: Ownership/Entrepreneurship , Supervised Agriculture Experience: Placement , American Degree , Stars Over America , Proficiencies , Risk Management Essay |
|
| Related
Occupations: Accounting , Agriculture Business , Agriculture Communications , Agriculture Economics , Agriculture Education , Agriculture General , Agriculture Environmental & Natural Resources , Communications , Development , Education , Global Business , Government , Healthcare , Research/Scientist , Service |
|
| FFA Sponsors/Employers in this Industry: AAW Family Ministries , Animal Care Technologies , Career Training Concepts , Chesapeake Bay Foundation , Colleton Improvement Collaborative , Connect-A-Kid, a division of Scott McWilliams Marketing Services, Inc. , Consolidated School District 158 , Envision , Golden Ladder Productions , Hot Shots Video Productions , Howard Co, 4-H fair , Information Provided by: Alaska FFA Association , Information Provided by: Alabama FFA Association , Information Provided by: Arkansas FFA Association , Information Provided by: California FFA Association , Information Provided by: Colorado FFA Association , Information Provided by: Connecticut FFA Association , Information Provided By: Delaware FFA Association , Information Provided by: Florida FFA Association , Information Provided by: Georgia FFA Association , Information Provided by: Hawaii FFA Association , Information Provided by: Idaho FFA Association , Information Provided by: Illinois FFA Association , Information Provided by: Indiana FFA Association , Information Provided by: Iowa FFA Association , Information Provided by: Kansas FFA Association , Information Provided by: Kentucky FFA Association , Information Provided by: Louisana FFA Association , Information Provided by: Maine FFA Association , Information Provided by: Maryland FFA Association , Information Provided by: Massachusetts FFA Association , Information Provided by: Michigan FFA Association , Information Provided by: Minnesota FFA Association , Information Provided by: Mississippi FFA Association , Information Provided by: Missouri FFA Association , Information Provided by: Montana FFA Association , Information Provided by: Nebraska FFA Association , Information Provided by: Nevada FFA Association , Information Provided by: New Hampshire FFA Association , Information Provided by: New Jersey FFA Association , Information Provided by: New Mexico FFA Association , Information Provided by: New York FFA Association , Information Provided by: North Carolina FFA Association , Information Provided by: North Dakota FFA Association , Information Provided by: Ohio FFA Association , Information Provided by: Oklahoma FFA Association , Information Provided by: Oregon FFA Association , Information Provided by: Pennsylvania FFA Association , Information Provided by: Puerto Rico FFA Association , Information Provided by: Rhode Island FFA Association , Information Provided by: South Carolina FFA Association , Information Provided by: South Dakota FFA Association , Information Provided by: Texas FFA Association , Information Provided by: Utah FFA Association , Information Provided by: Vermont FFA Association , Information Provided by: Virgin Islands FFA Association , Information Provided by: Virginia FFA Association , Information Provided by: Washington FFA Association , Information Provided by: West Viriginia FFA Association , Information Provided by: Wisconsin FFA Association , Information Provided by: Wyoming FFA Association , INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS LABORATORY , Irrigation Association Education Foundation , IUPUI University Library , Kitchen Culture Kits Inc. , Learning for Life , Lincoln Electric , Maricopa County Fair , Massachusetts Avenue Project- Growing Green Program , Mesalands Community College , Michigan State University , NAAE (National Association of Agricultural Educators) , National FFA Foundation , National FFA Organization , National Honor Roll , Oxbow Pet Products , Peace Corps , Professional Landcare Network , PSCE , S. Graham & Associates , Salem County Vocational Technical School , San SImon School Districe , Sterling College , Sterling High School , TRI Leadership Resources , Tulsa Welding School , Universal Technical Instition , University of Maine Cooperative Extension , Utah Farmers Union , WI Agribusiness Council , Wisconsin Farmers Union |
|
| Current
FFA Sponsor/Employer Opportunities Available: All Indiana Ag Teaching Positions , State Staff - Executive Director, IN FFA Leadership Center , State Staff - Program Specialist, IN FFA Organization , National FFA Convention-Backstage Arena Crew , Conference Trainer - ALD, EDGE, MFE , Conference Trainer - BlastOff , Accounts Payable Rep III , Applications Systems Analyst I , Convention Workshop Presenter for non FFA Trainer , Education Specialist I - Collegiate , Team Leader WLC , SAE Program Mgr - temporary , WLC Conference Coordinator– Advisor Program , Convention Workshop Presenter ( for current FFA Trainers) , Local Program Success Specialist , Events Manager , Supply Chain Analyst , Sr. Financial Accountant , Education Specialist II - National Officers , Program Coordinator II - Conv & Events Mgmt , Education Specialist II - Leadership Delivery , Education Specialist , WLC Conference Trainer , Talent Program Director , Regional Director , Talent Program Director , All Minnesota Ag Ed Teaching Positions , All Alabama Ag Teaching Positions , All Arkansas Ag Teaching Positions , All Colorado Ag Teaching Positions , All Idaho Ag Teaching Positions , All Iowa Ag Teaching Positions , All Louisiana Ag Teaching Positions , All Nevada Ag Teaching Positions , All New York Ag Teaching Positions , All Oklahoma Ag Teaching Positions , Agriculture Educator - Derry Area School District , All South Carolina Ag Teaching Positions , Agriculture Educator - Lincoln County High School , Agriculture Educator - Greenbrier East High School |
|