We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Education

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How do I Become a Farmworker?

By Carol Francois
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 4,485
Share

In order to become a farmworker, candidates need to be physically fit, able to work long hours and willing to live in a rural area. The primary responsibilities of a farmworker depend on the type of farm. A livestock or poultry farmworker is responsible for the care of animals, and a crop worker is responsible for planting and harvesting the crops. Although some tasks have been improved or eliminated through the use of technology, there is a huge amount of manual work necessary to operate a farm.

Physical fitness is an absolute necessity for anyone who wants to be a farmworker. The tasks performed require physical strength, endurance, and manual dexterity. People who have physical limitations generally are not suitable to work on a farm.

As a farmworker, the day often starts before dawn and ends just before dusk. Although the tasks vary, all farmworkers are physically active for long hours, often standing or walking slowly the entire time. Some tasks require working in the sun all day, and others involved working with animals in a confined space.

The length of the work day and the need for an early start create a need for most farmworkers to live either on the farm itself or nearby. Depending on the position, a farmworker might live in a separate apartment or a shared living space with other farmworkers. It is not uncommon for someone who wants to become a farmworker to live on the farm during the productive season and return to their primary home in the winter.

Look at the classified ads in a rural community in order to become a farmworker. Have a resume and a list of at least three professional references ready when contacting a potential employer. In many cases, farms arrange one or two days of on-site job interviews. This provides them with the opportunity to meet candidates in person and discuss the requirements of the job.

Talk with people who have worked on a farm in the past three to five years to find out what type of work they did and the overall experience. Many people move around during the planting and harvest seasons, working on different farms throughout a three- to five-month period. This type of work usually is organized by a farm manager or placement agency.

Career advancement opportunities once you become a farmworker are limited. Among these opportunities are the roles of site supervisor or location manager. Although some people dream of owning a farm, this type of purchase requires a significant financial investment that might be difficult to make.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By anon276037 — On Jun 21, 2012

I am interested in becoming a "farmworker" (vegetables, nuts, sorting packing factory), not because it's seems that it's not unusual, since I have lived and done other work, but I remember watching and trying to participate when I was a kid and the workers were right outside of my relative's door. I want to seek a job now in the area where I now live. I also want a change in outlook for myself, and I know what the job is about and I'm willing to take it on.

Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/how-do-i-become-a-farmworker.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.