Agricultural Business / Finance Unit 1-B

1. List and discuss various occupations in agribusiness. 2. Describe the competencies that are needed for entry level positions. 3. List the educational requirements & working conditions for each career. 4. Identify & describe personal skills needed for successful agribusiness careers.

Career – Agricultural Economist Job Description - Studies data and statistics in order to spot trends in economic activity, economic confidence levels and consumer attitudes. They study farm management, agricultural policy, crop values, farm credit, agricultural marketing and commodity exchanges. They look at the ways these operations affect farm income and food prices. They study agricultural trade, resources, and economic development overseas. Educational Requirements - 4 year degree within discipline

Competencies needed for a successful career as an agricultural economist: Mathematical, Analytical, Organizational, Work independently, Computer Skills, Written Communications, Detail Oriented, Works under pressure, Presentational, Research, Basic Business Principles. Working Conditions: Mainly office work; work with several people. Utilize assistants, computers and telephones.

Career – Chemical Distributor Job Description - Chemical Distributors distribute chemicals and serves the farming community by providing chemicals used in farm situations. A knowledge of chemical uses, warnings, and disposal methods is necessary. Educational Requirements - 2 year degree

Competencies needed for a successful career as a chemical distributor: Mathematical, Oral Communications, Interpersonal, Organizational, Scientific, Dependable, Computer Skills, Written Communication, Management, Negotiating. Working Conditions: Most work time will be spent indoors in offices and warehouses.

Career – Dairy Management Specialist Job Description - Expert in the field of dairy management. Specializes in the care of dairy cattle and dairy operation. They also attend stock sales; buy and sell stock; purchase feed, machinery & other farming materials; hire, supervise and dismiss farm workers; manage pasture, stock and stock breeding programs; and keep financial and farming records. Educational Requirements - 2 year degree

Competencies needed for a successful career as a dairy management specialist: Mathematical, Analytical, Patience, Oral Communications, Organizational, Dependable, Work independently, Decision Making. Working Conditions: Most of the work is outdoors in all kinds of weather.

Career – Account Executive Job Description - Manages, analyzes and controls financial accounts. They compile, analyze, manage, check and prepare business and financial records such as income statements, balance sheets, cost studies and tax returns. Educational Requirements - 4 year degree within discipline

Competencies needed for a successful career as an account executive - Mathematical, Analytical, Oral Communication, Organizational, Decision Making, Computer Skills, Detail Oriented, Basic Business Principles, Responsible, Logical, Orderly Minded. Working Conditions - In an office - can be traveling to see clients and establish new accounts.

Career – Advertising Manager Job Description – Advertising Managers plan, create, produce and place advertising for clients who have products or services to sell, or who have a position they wish to make known on issues or special interests. Educational Requirements - 2 year degree

Competencies needed for a successful career as an advertising manager – Oral Communications, Interpersonal, Creative, Highly Motivated, Organizational, Adapts to Change, Team Player, Enthusiastic, Computer Skills, Written Communications, Presentational, Sales, Innovativeness, Outgoing Personality, Motivational. Working Conditions - Indoors working with computers and other forms of multimedia. Meets with clients to establish advertising needs.

Career – Agricultural Consultant Job Description – Audits and appraises agricultural-related businesses and makes suggestions on improvements. Agricultural Consultants manage, analyze and control financial accounts and examine business operations to find ways to improve efficiency and profits for farmers, ranchers and agribusinesss. Educational Requirements - 4 year degree

Competencies needed for a successful career as an agricultural consultant – Mathematical, Analytical, Oral Communication, Interpersonal, Creative, Highly Motivated, Tactful, Technical, Customer Service, Logical, Quick Thinking, Inquisitive, Determination, Confidence. Working Conditions - Mainly indoors in an office setting; work with people and computers

Career – Agricultural Loan Officer Job Description – Agricultural loan officers manage, evaluate and distribute loans to farmers, ranchers and agribusiness people. Educational Requirements - 4 year degree

Competencies needed for a successful career as an agricultural loan officer – Mathematical, Analytical, Interpersonal, Organizational, Dependable, Patience, Management, Detail Oriented, Tactful, Works under pressure, Logical, Negotiating, Investigative, Persistent. Working Conditions - Inside work. Work with farmers and agribusiness men. Also work with computers.

Career – Animal Health Products Representative Job Description – They develop sales and marketing strategies for selling of animal health products. Animal health product representatives work for the makers of the products and supplies. They sell them to distributors, farm products dealers, farm cooperatives and large-scale operatives. Educational Requirements - 2 year degree

Competencies needed for a successful career as an animal health products rep. – Oral & Written Communications, Interpersonal, Highly Motivated, Dependable, Computer Skills, Work independently, Presentational, Sales, Responsible, Customer Service, Good with Animals, Helps Others, Initiative, Determination, Persistent. Working Conditions - Much travel and meeting with people is required.

Career – Commodity Broker Job Description – Trades products and cash based on stock market and futures projections. Educational Requirements - 4 year degree within discipline.

Competencies needed for a successful career as a commodity broker – Mathematical, Analytical, Oral & Written Communications, Highly Motivated, Self Motivated, Goal Oriented, Customer Service, Negotiating, Quick Thinking, Steady Nerves, Works under pressure, Sales. Working Conditions - Brokers usually work in offices, where there is much activity. They have access to "quote boards' or computer terminals that continually provide information on the prices of commodities. When activity increases, due to changes in the economy, the pace can become very hectic.

Career – Farm Appraiser Job Description – Farm Appraisers put a dollar value on farms and the land, based on general market conditions, land and lease values, value per acre and historical value per acre. Educational Requirements - 2 year degree

Competencies needed for a successful career as a farm appraiser – Mathematical, Analytical, Oral & Written Communications, Organizational, Dependable, Highly Motivated, Self- Motivated, Detail Oriented, Responsible, Customer Service, Logical, Investigative. Working Conditions - Outdoors - appraising farms and/or ranches. Office work required for reporting.

Career – Farm Manager Job Description – Farm mangers organize and analyze farm resources, finances, and problems; they develop solutions and plans for future farm enterprises; and they make daily farming decisions related to crops, machinery, and labor. Educational Requirements - 2 year degree

Competencies needed for a successful career as a farm manager – Interpersonal, Organizational, Motivational, Oral & Written Communications, Mathematical, Detail Oriented, Basic Business Principles, Responsible, Goal Oriented, Customer Service, Helps Others, Outgoing Personality. Working Conditions - Mostly outdoors. The work of farm managers is often strenuous: their work hours are frequently long, and their days off are sometimes infrequent. Of those who work full time, half work 60 or more hours a week. Nevertheless, these disadvantages are often outweighed by the opportunities for living in a more rural area, working outdoors, being self employed, and making a living working the land.

Career – Floral Shop Operator Job Description – Floral shop operators direct all operations and supervise the personnel in a floral shop. They must be knowledgeable in business management, and be able to communicate effectively with the flower shop personnel. Educational Requirements - 2 year degree

Competencies needed for a successful career as a floral shop operator – Oral & Written Communications, Interpersonal, Creative, Organizational, Team Player, Manual Dexterity, Management, Presentational, Sales, Basic Business Principles, Customer Service, Helps Others, Outgoing Personality. Working Conditions - Inside a floral shop or nursery. Florists may stand or sit while designing. During the holiday seasons, when many people order flowers, floral designers often work long hours to meet deadlines. In general, most retail flower shops employ relatively few workers. A sales staff usually deals with the public. Other florists, who also operate greenhouses or nurseries, have larger staff, each with specific duties.

Career – Forest Products Merchandiser Job Description – Forest products merchandisers market and develop selling strategies for forest products such as lumber and paper. Educational Requirements - 2 year degree within discipline.

Competencies needed for a successful career as a forest products merchandiser – Mathematical, Oral & Written Communications, Interpersonal, Organizational, Work independently, Decision Making, Computer Skills, Self-Motivated, Management, Detail Oriented, Presentational Sales, Goal Oriented, Customer Service, Initiative, Confidence, Outgoing Personality. Working Conditions - Forest Products Merchandisers generally work in offices, using the computer and phone to sell lumber products to prospective buyers.

Other careers related to agribusiness: - Golf Course Superintendent - Greenhouse Manager - Grain Buyer and/or Broker - Insurance Agent - Kennel Operator - Livestock Commissions Agent - Livestock Yard Supervisor - Lumber Mill Operator - Market Analyst - Milk Plant Supervisor - Nursery Operator - Orchard Supervisor - Pet Shop Operator - Produce Buyer - Public Relations Rep. - Agriculture Supply Sales Rep.