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Agriculture is a broad field that encompasses many different specialties. Find out how many different jobs are involved in agriculture and learn about the different career paths you can take.
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Introduction
In the United States, there are more than 22 million jobs that are directly or indirectly related to agriculture. This number represents about 13 percent of the total U.S. workforce, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The vast majority of these jobs—17 million—are in the a”food and fiber system,” which includes everything from farming to food manufacturing to retail sales. The remaining five million jobs are in “inputs and services” related to agriculture, such as farm equipment manufacturing, crop insurance, and agro-tourism.
Not all of these jobs are on farms; in fact, most are not. In 2015, there were only 2.6 million farms in the United States, according to the USDA, but those farms employed more than three million workers. The other 19 million agricultural jobs were in businesses that support farmers and ranchers, such as food processing plants, seed companies, tractor dealerships, and cattle feedlots.
Here’s a closer look at where these 22 million agricultural jobs are located:
The Many Types of Agriculture
Agriculture is the science and art of cultivating plants and livestock. Agriculture was the key development in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that allowed people to live in cities. The history of agriculture began thousands of years ago. Agriculture has played a significant role in the economic and social development of human civilization.
Livestock Agriculture
Livestock agriculture is a type of animal husbandry in which animals are reared for meat, Fiber, milk, or other products. It includes dairy farming, hog farming, poultry farming, and ranching. TheFarm animals include cattle, buffalo, sheep, lambs, pigs, goats, rabbits, horses, andDonkeys. In livestock agriculture…
-Cattle are reared for their meat and Leather.
-Hogs are reared for their meat.
-Sheep are reared for their meat and wool.
-Poultry birds are reared for their meat and eggs.
-Goats are reared for their meat and milk.
Crop Agriculture
Crop agriculture is a type of agriculture that involves the cultivation of crops. Crops are generally grown in fields, and can be either annual (planted and harvested once per year) or perennial (planted and harvested multiple times over the course of several years). Common crops grown in crop agriculture include wheat, corn, soybeans, and rice.
In addition to growing crops, crop agriculture also typically involves activities such as soil preparation, planting, watering, fertilizing, and harvesting. Crop farmers may also use pesticides and herbicides to protect their crops from pests and diseases.
Crop agriculture is a vital part of the global food supply, and millions of people around the world are employed in some facet of crop agriculture.
Aquaculture
Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic creatures, usually fish, mollusks, and crustaceans, but also reptiles, amphibians, marine mammals, and plants. Aquaculture takes place both in saltwater and in freshwater environments. The raising of fish for food is the most common form of aquaculture. Other popular products of aquaculture include pearls, mother-of-pearl, sea cucumbers, kelp, and ornamental fish.
In addition to providing food, aquaculture plays an important role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Aquacultured species can help to replenish wild populations that have been overfished or that are struggling due to environmental degradation. They can also help to control invasive species or serve as bioindicators for water quality issues.
The Many Jobs in Agriculture
Though you may not think of it, there are many jobs that are involved in some facet of agriculture. From the farmer, to the person who drives the combine, to the person who loads the produce onto the truck, there are many people involved in getting food from the farm to your table.
Livestock Agriculture
Livestock agriculture is a category of agricultural activity that involves the raising of animals for meat, eggs, or milk. It includes subsistence as well as commercialproduction. In 2012, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimated that the global slaughter volume for all mammals was 309 million head; for poultry it was 19 billion birds.
Crop Agriculture
crop agriculture is the raising of crops for human consumption. It is a branch of agriculture that involves the cultivation of plant life for food, fuel, fiber, and other products used to support human life. Crop agriculture is practiced in many different ways and on many different kinds of land, from small gardens to large commercial farms. In general, crop agriculture can be divided into two main types: field crops and horticultural crops.
Field crops are grown in large open fields and are usually harvested by machines. Common field crops include wheat, corn, soybeans, and rice. Horticultural crops are grown in smaller plots and are often harvested by hand. Common horticultural crops include fruits, vegetables, flowers, and nursery plants. both types of crop agriculture are essential to the production of food for human consumption.
Crop agriculture is a vital part of the global economy, providing food for billions of people around the world. It is also an important source of income for many small farmers and rural communities. In developed countries, crop agriculture is often combined with animal husbandry (the raising of livestock) to produce meat, dairy products, and other animal-based foods. In developing countries, crop agriculture is often the main source of food for local communities.
Aquaculture
Aquaculture is a growing industry with a bright future. Also known as fisheries farming, aquaculture is the cultivation of fish, shellfish, and other aquatic life for food and other purposes.
Aquaculture is a relatively new industry, but it has already made a significant impact on the economy and employment. In the United States, aquaculture is responsible for more than $1 billion in annual sales and employs more than 15,000 people. The industry is also one of the fastest-growing sectors of agriculture, with an annual growth rate of 5 percent.
There are many different jobs in aquaculture, from farmers and hatchery workers to feed millers and processing plant workers. Aquaculture farmers raise fish in ponds, tanks, or cages. They may also operate oyster reefs or shrimp farms. Hatchery workers incubate and rear fish larvae until they are old enough to be transferred to aquaculture farms. Feed millers produce fish feed from a variety of ingredients, including soybeans, corn, wheat, and minerals. Processing plant workers package and process seafood products for sale to retailers or consumers.
Aquaculture is an important source of food for people all over the world. It is also an important industry for many countries’ economies. Aquaculture provides employment opportunities for thousands of people and contributes billions of dollars to the global economy each year.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the main takeaways are that:
-The number of jobs in agriculture has been declining for decades
-There are still millions of people employed in agriculture, either on farms or in related industries
-The majority of these jobs are in low- and middle-income countries
-The jobs range from manual labor to highly skilled technical positions
