Become a Farm Marketer: Education and Career Roadmap
Research farm marketer career information. Learn about the job experience requirements, education opportunities and additional training to make an informed decision about becoming a farm marketer.
Step 1: Earn an Undergraduate Degree
Farm marketers are sometimes referred to as buyers and purchasing agents of farm products. They are responsible for negotiating and ordering farm products for resale or processing, such as grains or milk. Information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that professionals in the purchasing industry generally need a bachelor's degree to be hired at larger organizations, although many entry-level positions with smaller companies may only require a high school diploma or its equivalent. Most employers prefer applicants with postsecondary education, such as an associate or bachelor's degree.
Potential undergraduate degree programs for this career field may include agricultural business, accounting or marketing. Courses in agricultural business cover topics such as farm management, agricultural economics, agricultural product marketing and agricultural law. Some agricultural business degree programs also include logistics or distribution planning courses; aspiring farm marketers can learn how to plan out product shipping routes and schedules.
Step 2: Gain Professional Experience
According to ISEEK.org, working as a farm marketer generally requires at least three years of industry experience. Job postings also indicate that employers prefer applicants who have experience in sales, customer service and logistics planning. Customer service and sales skills are often obtainable by working in customer service or sales positions, which are common at retail stores, small businesses and call centers.
Step 3: Complete On-The-Job Training
According to the BLS, professionals in the purchasing industry, such as farm marketers, often have to complete in-house training. Each business has its own training program, and workers may spend years in training. During this time, employees have the opportunity to learn about a company's standards, operations and practices. They may also learn how to use company-specific software, how to fill out forms and how to communicate with clients and suppliers.
Step 4: Study Market Trends
Workers in the purchasing industry are required to keep up with legal changes and other trends that affect the market. Farm marketers must communicate with their clients and vendors to learn about issues that may affect them, such as crop growth or product delays. They also need to be aware of laws that can affect the production and sale of agricultural goods. According to the BLS, one way to keep up with industry trends is by attending professional trade conferences.
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