What To Include In A Farmer Resume Skills Section And Why

Updated 1 December 2022

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Having the right skills as a farmer can influence your long-term success in agriculture. These skills often include understanding plant growth cycles, recognising problems early and safely operating farm equipment. If you want to succeed in a farming career, it helps to understand these skills and gain the education and training to develop them. In this article, we discuss the different farming skills you can highlight on your resume, offer examples of good skills to include in your resume and provide tips for improving them.

What To Include In Your Farmer Resume Skills Section

In a farmer resume skills section, you can list a diverse set of abilities such as excellent customer service and strong organisation skills to get a job in the agricultural industry. It is beneficial to have a strong resume that highlights your skills and experience as a farmer. Here are some of the most influential skills for farmers' resumes:

Technological knowledge

Farmers use some sort of equipment or technology to help with their work. Tractors, ploughs and combines are just a few examples of the heavy equipment that farmers use daily. Each type of machine has its own set of controls and requires a different level of skill to operate effectively. Having technological knowledge can support farmers to operate these machines efficiently and produce a better harvest.

People skills

People skills are essential for any job, but they are especially important for farmers. Better people's skills mean the ability to work with a variety of persons, including customers, suppliers and employees. All these activities usually rely on a good understanding of basic interpersonal skills and creating solid relationships with others.

Time management

Time management skill is the ability to use time effectively. An experienced farmer knows how to time the season and operate the farm productively to get the best harvesting result. Delegating tasks to workers, family members and even computers and machines is part of better time management and can save a lot of time.

Health and fitness

Excellent physical condition can allow you to handle the demands of your job, such as lifting heavy objects, bending over for a longer time and walk for miles each day. Keeping yourself fit as a farmer can help you make you productive both on the farm and in other aspects of your life. Good health and fitness habits can also set an example for others in the community.

Machine and animal knowledge

Machine and animal knowledge refers to the ability to use and maintain a variety of machines and care for animals to keep them healthy. Understanding the functioning of the machinery and possessing experience in repairing them can ensure optimal usage of the equipment. Besides, having good animal knowledge can make it easy to care for your livestock, from feeding and watering them to providing medical attention when necessary.

Management and organisation abilities

There are a lot of different aspects to running a farm, such as planting, watering and harvesting the crops. Then there is the business side of things, which includes following up with finances and managing staff. Farmers who have management and organisation skills can streamline processes, solve conflicts and practice strong communication skills. These abilities can give you a clear understanding of what to expect each season.

Operations and analytical skills

Analytical skills can aid in properly assessing the data collected from various farming activities, like harvesting and irrigation. You can use this data to decide on crop rotation, soil fertility, pest control and other important aspects of farm management.

Tips For Writing A Farmer's Resume

A resume is the first point of interaction between a potential employee and an employer. A farmer's resume is an opportunity to showcase your skills and experience in the agricultural industry. Here are some tips on what you can add to a farmer's resume:

A profile

A profile section is to introduce yourself to potential employers and give them an overview of your key skills and experience. This is where you can summarise who you are and how you can contribute to the business's success. Here are some tips to enable you to write an interesting profile section:

Keep it brief.
Highlight your key strength(s).
Use specific examples.
Adapt it to each job.

Experience

Farmers can write about the relevant processes to enable the reviewer to understand their capabilities. Whether you are a first-time farmer or an experienced one looking for a new opportunity, listing your farming experience can help you impress potential employers. You can follow these tips on how to do that:

Start with your most recent job and work backwards.
Describe your duties briefly.
Use specific examples and action verbs.

Achievements

You can add achievements to your resume to make it distinct. Here are some tips to follow if you add this section to your resume:

Highlight any awards or recognition received for farming excellence.
Discuss any significant increases in crop yields you achieved through innovative farming techniques.
Mention any unique aspects of your farm that differentiate it from others in the area.

Education

Highlighting a deep understanding of farming can increase your chance of getting the desired job. Include all your education that might be vital to receiving an interview. Here are some tips for writing this section:

List education degrees.
Highlight any coursework.
Mention other important information.
Keep it concise.

How To Improve Your Farming Skills

A resume that lists excellent farming skills is often beneficial to improving your skills in the workplace. Below are a few tips to help you do just that:

1. Rely on teamwork

You can share knowledge and ideas and learn from each other's mistakes by working together. Assigning specific roles to each team member can ensure that everyone is aware of their tasks and that they can work together effectively. You can also plan team-building exercises to make everyone feel comfortable working with you.

2. Show flexibility

Flexibility means being willing to try new things and not being afraid of change. Being flexible can enable you to tackle the changes in work due to weather, equipment issues and unexpected events. You can try to do things differently and always be willing to experiment with new techniques. This can help you find what works best for your farm and allow you to grow as a farmer.

3. Keep learning

Farming is a fast-paced industry and there is always something to learn. Even if you have been farming for years, new techniques and technology can be beneficial for improving your crops and revenue. Ask questions or seek new opportunities for education and training in the workplace.

4. Take feedback positively

When receiving negative feedback, it is important to remain calm and centered. When feeling anxious about how others perceive you, positive self-talk can make you feel more grounded and confident. Using this and other methods to process stress in the workplace occasionally can enhance your strength to face challenging times or situations where you feel involved.

Farmer Resumes Skills In The Workplace

Farmer resume skills include what you know and how you do your job. To show employers you have the skills they want, it is important to display these abilities in the workplace. Here are some tips to do this:

Be an expert problem solver - You can show your problem-solving skills by repairing machinery, caring for the animals or creating solutions to daily issues.
Be a team player - You may work with different departments or teams on a project which relies on collaboration and cooperation between all parties to ensure successful delivery. You can guide others by sharing your experiences and knowledge about agriculture.
Be organised - Having an organised schedule can allow you to get more done in less time, which is typically what employers want.

Ways To Highlight Farmer Resume Skills

Showing the right skills and knowledge on your resume as a farmer can assist you gain an interviewer's attention and get the job. Use these tips to highlight top farmer skills in your resume.

1. Farmer skills in resume

Be sure to include any relevant experience working with animals or crops. If you have experience running a farm, managing a farm staff or developing and executing a farming business plan, you can mention these details. Besides mentioning your technical abilities related to farming practices, you can also list soft skills such as problem-solving, decision making, adaptability and resourcefulness.

2. Farmer skills in cover letter

Highlight relevant experience from previous jobs or discuss specific farming techniques familiar to you. You can also display your passion for the role and explain why you would be the perfect candidate. Outlining your responsibilities and accomplishments can also be helpful. For example, if you cultivated a successful crop, share the yield and your practices. Mentioning any awards or recognition you received can also allow you to exhibit your skills.

3. Farmer skills in an interview

Explain how you plant and care for crops, what type of equipment you use and how you maintain it. You can also talk about your experience with livestock and describe how you feed, water and care for them. Tell the interviewer about your health concerns and how you address them. You can also share what you know about irrigation systems and soil fertility and describe any problem-solving skills you have in these areas.