Additional Information
Being a farm laborer does not require any specific education. A basic knowledge
of farming is needed, and that knowledge typically comes from hands-on experience.
On-the-job training plays a big role in farm work.
No degree is required, but specific courses are helpful. Some examples
include courses in farm equipment maintenance, pesticide/herbicide application,
agricultural welding, and tree pruning.
Due to the increasing use of machines, knowing how to operate specific
equipment may be essential. And at least some computer knowledge is becoming
helpful for people looking for farm laborer work.
"Depending on the amount of responsibility, the technical requirements
-- operating specific equipment, etc. -- or familial relationships, the labor
force spans mostly high school to college graduates,"says John Youngberg,
vice-president of governmental affairs at the Montana Farm Bureau Federation.
"There was a time when most anyone could be a farm laborer, and in some operations
that still holds true -- except the technological nature of agriculture is
changing that."
"Farmers use GPS computer-controlled equipment,"he gives as an example.
"Most operations have some kind of computer requirements, so the level of
education has increased."