EvergreenJobs
Agriculture & GrowingManagementFarm Business

Farm Manager

You run the operation: crop plan, labor, equipment, and margin, usually for an owner or an investor group.

What you'd actually do

  • Build crop and rotation plans
  • Manage labor, payroll, and compliance
  • Control input costs and budgets
  • Negotiate with buyers and suppliers

The facts

Training time
5-8 years
Experience expected
5-8 years
Physical demand
moderate
Room to advance
strong
Path to ownership
high
Level
Management

Work environment

Field · Office · Rural · Team leadership

Skills

Core to the job

  • Project management
  • Crop management
  • Business management
  • Crew leadership
  • Record keeping & compliance
  • Scheduling & logistics

Helps you stand out

  • Soil science
  • Data analysis
  • Estimating & bidding
  • Irrigation systems

Education & credentials

  • High school diploma or GED
  • Agriculture degree common but not required
  • Food safety / GAP certificationCommonly expected

    Often required by buyers and processors.

Licensing rules vary by state, county, and job scope. Always confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Shortest route from the ground up

The usual ladder people climb to reach this role.

  1. Packing & Grading Worker
  2. Farm Manager

Where this leads

Farm Owner / Operator

Agriculture & GrowingOwner

You own the land or the lease and carry the risk. Capital-intensive, but small specialty operations can start far cheaper than commodity farming.

Training:
3-10 years
Experience:
3-10 years
View path

Your skills also transfer to