Farms are places where workers cultivate and produce various agricultural products to meet the needs of a community or society at large. They play a crucial role in providing food, fibre, and other essential resources necessary for human sustenance and economic development. They serve as the backbone of the agricultural industry, where crops are grown, livestock is raised, and natural resources are utilised to generate a wide range of products.
All farms are different of course, but they do tend to have some things in common:
- A love of the outdoors – no matter your role, you will probably be doing a lot of work outside.
- Safety is key – you’ll be working with machinery, chemicals, and animals, so being safe is very important.
- You’ll need to be tough – some of the work can be hard, but you’ll also reap great rewards.
Key Outcome
Produce agricultural goods
The key outcome of a farm is to sustainably produce agricultural goods to meet the needs of society.
Key Tasks
- Plant and harvest crops
- Feed and care for livestock
- Irrigate fields and manage water resources
- Repair and maintain farm equipment
- Monitor and control pests and diseases
- Manage soil fertility and crop rotation
- Market and sell agricultural products
- Operate and maintain farm infrastructure and buildings
- Conduct regular inspections and record-keeping
- Implement and practice farm safety protocols
Industry
You can find farms in the agriculture, forestry, and fishing industry
Farms are generally found in the agriculture, forestry, and fishing industry. Different types of farms include crop farms, livestock farms, dairy farms, orchards, horticultural farms, and organic farms, just to name a few.
Work Environment
You can expect regular hours and on-site work
Regular hours | Work on-site | Jobs more common in regional and rural areas | Strong job growth
Much of the work on a farm starts early in the morning, and can carry on throughout the day and even into the night. How long you work will depend on your exact role and the type of farm you work on.
Most farm work needs to be done hands-on, so there is limited opportunity for remote work – but there is some opportunity in roles in admin, management, and even sales.
Farms are typically more common in rural areas rather than metropolitan areas. Rural areas provide larger land areas and a more favourable environment for agricultural activities due to the availability of open space, fertile soil, and proximity to natural resources like water. But some smaller-scale farming operations or urban agriculture initiatives might exist in metro areas.
The Career Clusters you’ll find on a farm
People from all Clusters are needed for a farm to operate successfully, and there are a variety of roles for workers in any Cluster. In many roles, you might find yourself performing tasks across multiple Clusters.
