Career Explorer > Career Details
| Agronomist |
$60,370 Annual Average (US Bureau of Labor and Statistics) |
| Career Cluster: Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics | |
| General
Information: Agronomists work with field crop production and soils management to develop higher yields, better crop varieties, and higher quality products while maintaining or improving the environment. |
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| Career
Information: Agronomists conduct experiments or investigations in field crop problems and develops new methods of growing crops to secure more efficient production, higher yield, and improved quality. They plan and carry out breeding studies at experiment stations or farms to develop and improve varieties of field crops, such as cotton, tobacco, or cereal with respect to characteristics, such as yield, quality, adaptation to specific soils or climate and resistance to disease and pests. Also, they study crop production to discover best methods of planting, cultivation, harvesting, and effects of various climatic conditions on crops. Agronomists develop methods for control of noxious weeds, crop diseases, and insect pests. They may specialize in specific field crop, group of field crops, or specific agronomic problem. |
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| Educational
Requirements: 4 year degree within discipline |
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| Suggested High School/Collegiate
Courses: Agriculture, biology, physics, math, sciences. Most jobs require Masters in Agronomy |
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| Skills
Necessary: Mathematical , Analytical , Oral Communications , Scientific , Dependable , Patience , Computer Skills , Written Communications , Management , Detail Oriented , Research , Technical , Basic Business Principles , Responsible , Goal Oriented , Logical , Investigative , Orderly Minded , Initiative , Good Judgment , Inquisitive , Persistent |
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| Job
Availability: Excellent Growth Demand by Region |
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| Location
of jobs: Federal, state local government, universities, research facilities or extension offices |
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| Working
Conditions: Some Agronomists work in offices or laboratories, therefore, they work in clean, comfortable, and well lit surroundings. Other agronomists work outdoors in all types of weather and settings. Many time, agronomists in the field deal with rough terrain, mud, dust, and insects in the United States and in developing nations worldwide. Those working for the government, cooperative extension programs, and other agencies may travel. Some work in rural districts. Others work in and around cities. |
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| FFA
Programs that Promote this Career: Agri-Entrepreneurship , Agriscience , CDE: Ag Issues , CDE: Ag Mechanics , CDE:Agronomy , CDE: Environmental and Natural Resources , CDE: Nursery and Landscape , Supervised Agriculture Experience: Exploratory , Supervised Agriculture Experience: Research/Experimentation & Analysis , American Degree , Proficiencies |
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| Related
Occupations: Agriculture General , Research/Scientist |
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| FFA Sponsors/Employers in this Industry: Cummins Inc. , Foth & Van Dyke |
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| Current
FFA Sponsor/Employer Opportunities Available: |
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