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Farmer

Alternative titles for this job include Farm manager

Farmers and farm managers grow crops and raise farm animals for food production.

Average salary (a year)

£21,000 Starter

to

£50,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

39 to 41 variable

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays flexibly

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a farmer

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

University

You could take a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

  • agriculture
  • land management
  • farm business management
  • crop and livestock production

Courses and qualifications are available at agricultural colleges and universities.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

College

You could start your career in farming by doing a course at agricultural college like:

  • Level 2 Certificate in Land-based Activities
  • Level 3 Diploma in Agriculture
  • T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production

This would teach you some of the skills and knowledge needed in this job.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could get farming experience through apprenticeships relevant to this role like:

  • Level 2 General Farm Worker
  • Level 2 Poultry Worker
  • Level 3 Poultry Technician
  • Level 3 Livestock Unit Technician
  • Level 3 Crop Technician

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You can get valuable experience and move into farm management by working as a supervisor, unit manager or assistant manager.

You could also take qualifications on the job like the Level 4 Certificate in Work-based Agricultural Management.

More Information

Further information

You can get more information about farming careers from Tasty Careers, the National Land Based College and LANTRA.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • to be flexible and open to change
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work on your own
  • physical skills like movement, coordination and dexterity
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • business management skills
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day tasks will depend on whether you work with animals, crops or a mixture of both.

Typically you'll:

  • set budget and production targets
  • make sure the farm follows health and safety standards and regulations
  • do practical tasks like feeding and checking animal health and fertilising or harvesting crops
  • help maintain farm equipment
  • buy and sell animals or crops 
  • keep financial and stock records
  • recruit, train and supervise farm workers

Working environment

You could work on a farm or in an office.

Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors in all weathers.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience you could move into related areas, such as becoming an adviser, consultant or trainer. This includes being an adviser for the government.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

L2 General Farm Worker Apprentice required, on busy, diversified Kent Farm.

  • Wage: £10,004.80 Annually
  • Location: SHELVIN, WOOTTON, CANTERBURY

Agriculture Apprentice

  • Wage: £13,520.00 Annually
  • Location: PRESTON ROAD, CROSSMOOR, PRESTON
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Level 2 Diploma Agriculture

  • Provider: HARTPURY COLLEGE OF FURTHER EDUCATION
  • Start date: 12 September 2023
  • Location: Gloucester

Level 2 Diploma in Agriculture

  • Provider: REASEHEATH COLLEGE
  • Start date: 05 September 2023
  • Location: NANTWICH
Find courses near you

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