Farm and Home Management Advisors

Career summary

#no matching wois, checked 2/28/19 lh

They advise farmers how to:

• Care for livestock
• Grow and harvest crops
• Plan a budget
• Use complex equipment
• Improve and sell farm products
• Improve conservation practices

Farm and home management advisors also:

Advise families

Farm and home management advisors assist and advise families. They advise families about how to make home budgets and prepare healthy meals. They give advice about conserving energy and furnishing their homes.

Organize community events

Farm and home management advisors also organize community activities, such as state and local fairs. They organize 4-H Clubs for counties. They collect data to identify needs and develop programs for the community. They often research issues or problems at the request of a farmer. They also teach classes. For example, they might plan and teach a class in nutrition, gardening, or home management. They might offer a program for farmers in farming techniques.

Share information

Farm and home management advisors sometimes write content for pamphlets, newsletters, or websites.  Advisors might also give lectures to organizations or give talks on radio and television.

Related careers

This career is part of the Education and Training cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Adult and Vocational Education Teachers
• Agricultural Scientists
• Animal Scientists
• Clergy
• Conservation Scientists
• Dietitians
• Employee Training Specialists
• Farmers and Farm Managers
• High School Teachers
• Middle School Teachers
• Public Health Educators
• University and College Teachers

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to farm and home management advisors.

• Advise farmers about caring for livestock, growing and harvesting crops, and budgeting.
• Advise individuals and families on home management practices, such as planning budgets and preparing meals.
• Solve problems by demonstrating techniques or applying research findings.
• Organize and participate in community activities and organizations, such as 4-H clubs and fair events.
• Collect and evaluate data to identify needs and develop programs.
• Plan, develop, and evaluate training programs.
• Conduct classes on topics such as nutrition, home management, conservation, safe pesticide use, and farming techniques.
• Prepare pamphlets, newsletters, presentations, articles, and posters for educational purposes. This information is often posted online.
• Deliver talks to provide information, in person or on radio or TV programs.
• Advocate for individual farmers and farmers' groups.
• Research information upon request by farmers.

Common work activities

Farm and home management advisors perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Get information needed to do the job
• Teach others
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Perform for or work with the public
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Use computers
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Schedule work and activities
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Develop and build teams
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Develop goals and strategies
• Analyze data or information
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Think creatively
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Document and record information
• Process information
• Coach others
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Perform administrative tasks
• Monitor and control resources
• Evaluate information against standards
• Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment
• Convince others to buy goods or change their minds or actions
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, farm and home management advisors:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of social contact. They work closely with farmers and families.
• Talk with others by e-mail, telephone, and in person on a daily basis. They also write letters and memos, but less frequently.
• May speak in front of large groups of people.
• Often work as part of a team.
• Have limited responsibility for the work done by others.
• Are somewhat responsible for the health and safety of others. Their recommendations impact plant and animal health.

Physical work conditions

• Often work indoors, but may work outdoors on rare occasions.
• Often travel to and from work sites in a truck, car, or van.
• May be exposed to a variety of temperatures and weather conditions.
• Occasionally are exposed to the diseases and infections of farm animals.

Work performance

• Must be sure that all details of the job are done and their work is accurate. Errors could cause farmers to lose money if they made the wrong changes.
• Rarely consult others before making a decision or setting daily tasks and goals.
• Must meet strict monthly deadlines.

Hours/travel

• May work part time or full time. Schedules are generally established.
• May travel out of the local area when advising farmers.
• May occasionally work irregular hours during community events.

Physical demands

Farm and home management advisors frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.

It is important for farm and home management advisors to be able to:

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for farm and home management advisors to be able to:

• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Determine from which direction a sound came.
• See objects in very bright or glaring light.
• See objects in very low light.
• While looking forward, see objects or movements that are off to the side.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.

Skills and abilities

Farm and home management advisors need to:

Communicate

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Understand spoken information.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Understand written information.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Identify what must be changed to reach goals.
• Recognize when important changes happen or are likely to happen in a system.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and procedures.

Use math and science

• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and correctly.
• Choose a mathematical method or formula to solve problems.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Manage the time of self and others.
• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Go back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information without becoming confused.
• Motivate, develop, and direct people as they work.

Work with people

• Teach others how to do something.
• Look for ways to help people.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.
• Solve problems by bringing others together to discuss differences.

Perceive and visualize

• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Agricultural and Extension Education Services
• Child Development
• Family and Consumer Sciences, General
• Family Resource Management
• Farm and Ranch Management

Other programs of study to consider

• Agricultural Business and Management
• Agronomy and Crop Science
• Animal Husbandry and Production
• Apparel and Textiles
• Consumer Economics
• Family Studies and Human Development
• Food, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies
• Housing and Human Environments
• Interior Design

Training

To work as a farm and home management advisor, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• have a bachelor's degree; and
• have a master's degree in agriculture or a related field.

Education after high school

Most farm and home management advisors have a master's degree. Common areas of study are agricultural business and management, plant, soil, or animal science, or botany. It is helpful if you also have a strong background in science and math.

Work experience

Growing up on a farm is good work experience for this occupation. Participating in programs such as 4-H or the National FFA Organization is also helpful.

On-the-job training

When first hired, some advisors undergo brief on-the-job training to orient them to policies and procedures. This training usually lasts one month.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Agronomy
• Animal Science
• Family and Consumer Sciences
• Food and Nutrition
• Home Maintenance
• Horticulture
• Plant and Soil Science
• Personal Finance

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Most employers require a master's degree in an agriculture, plant science, or related field. Employers prefer applicants who have experience in the field, such as college internship programs or work experience in related fields. In addition, employers prefer to hire farm and home managers who can speak and write clearly, and who get along well with others. Staying informed of recent advances in farming and home management methods can also be helpful.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Farm and Home Management Advisors 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages vary by employer and area of the country. An advisor's level of education and experience may also affect wages.

Most full-time farm and home management advisors receive benefits. Common benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Colleges and universities
• State and local government agencies, including extension services

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will be steady. The number of families seeking home management advice is increasing. However, the number of small farms is declining. Thus, there are fewer farmers who need advice. This may limit growth.

The majority of job openings will occur as people retire.

Other resources

AgCareers.com 
Western USA Office
866.519.7445

Agriculture Council of America 
11020 King Street, Suite 205
Overland Park, KS 66210
913.491.1895

American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences 
400 North Columbus Street, Suite 202
Alexandria, VA 22314
800.424.8080
703.706.4600

American Council on Consumer Interests 
2840 West Bay Dr #141
Belleair Bluffs, FL 33770-2620

American Farm Bureau Federation 
600 Maryland Avenue SW, Suite 1000W
Washington, DC 20024
202.406.3600

American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture 
600 Maryland Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20024

American Society of Agronomy 
5585 Guilford Road
Madison, WI 53711
608.273.8080

Council for Agricultural Science and Technology 
4420 West Lincoln Way
Ames, IA 50014
515.292.2125

National Farmers Organization 
528 Billy Sunday Road, Suite 100
PO Box 2508
Ames, IA 50010
800.247.2110

National Future Farmers of America Organization 
PO Box 68960
6060 FFA Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46268-0960
317.802.6060

National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service 
P.O. Box 3838
Butte, MT 59702

Nutrition.gov 

Washington Farm Bureau 
975 Carpenter Road NE, Suite 301
Lacey, WA 98516
360.357.9975

References

Career cluster

• Education and Training

Career path

• Social

O*Net  occupation

• Farm and Home Management Advisors (25-9021.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 5 - Extensive preparation needed. Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience.

DOT occupations

• County Home-demonstration Agent (096.121-010) 
• County-agricultural Agent (096.127-010) 
• Extension Service Specialist (096.127-014) 
• Feed and Farm Management Adviser (096.127-018) 
• Four-H Club Agent (096.127-022) 
• Home Economist (096.121-014) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Social/Realistic/Enterprising

COPSystem

• Communication