About This Cluster
Regular Responsibilities
Prepare, implement and update strategic plans for agricultural economic development. Facilitate the development of solutions to the needs and concerns of agriculture including the shortage of trained, skilled labor and profitable markets for Ag products.
Assist in the creation of an agricultural local development corporation. Work with public and private sector interests to provide coordination of resources for the Ag. industry. Maintain a complete knowledge and understanding of the interrelationships of resources for the Ag. industry.
Help develop linkages with other nonagricultural industries. Work with natural resource agencies to provide for an assessment of natural resources in Jefferson County.
Agricultural Financing
Developing financial packages to help new agricultural ventures establish in Jefferson County including the development of feasibility studies and business plans. Attracting new investments in agriculture including agribusiness, production agriculture, and agri-tourism. Providing assistance to the Ag. industry with endeavors to diversify.
Explore, evaluate and implement creative and innovative methods to maintain existing and new Ag. enterprises to help increase the value of the industry measured in total annual sales and increased retained earnings. Encouraging and helping Ag. entrepreneurs take advantage of funding resources available.
Agricultural Marketing
Identifying, developing and implementing promotion and marketing programs of Ag. products and opportunities, and the importance of the Ag. industry in Jefferson County. Explore and utilize leads and opportunities in marketing and funding agriculture in Jefferson County. Promote better brand recognition of Jefferson County agricultural products.
Education and Public Relations
Facilitate the development and implementation of programs training students in agricultural industries and careers. Assume role as a spokesperson for agriculture. Serve as ombudsman for the local Ag. industry. Support and serve as a resource to the County Ag. Farmland Protection Board.
Skills and Interests
- Helpful Traits / Skills and Studies :
- Knowledge of Northeastern and Eastern agriculture along with a background in economics and finance.
- Craftsmanship, fund-raising, public speaking, and oral and written communication skills.
- Proven leadership should be demonstrable
- Person must have computer and Internet skills and have e-commerce knowledge.
- Candidate must be sensitive to political environment.
- The person must be a self-starter, energetic, and a visionary.
- It is paramount that the candidate be a team player and responsive to the Ag. industry. The person must have a cheerful, friendly, empathetic but assertive, professional, business oriented personality.
Similar Clusters
- Like the Profession of Agricultural Educator (Check Out Education)
- Like the Profession of Banker/Loan Officer and Field Representative for Bank, Insurance Company or Government Program (Check Out Finance)
- Like the Profession of Farm Investment Manager and Agricultural Commodity Broker (Check Out Finance)
Education
Local High School Programs/Classes: A excellent way to gain experience while in High School is through a variety of different classes such as: communications, business administration and finance, business math, agricultural science, science.
BOCES Programs:
Jefferson-Lewis-Hamilton-Herkimer-Oneida BOCES:
St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES:
- Heavy Equipment
Local College / University Majors:
- Veterinary Technology (B.S.) (SUNY Canton),
- Veterinary Science Technology (A.A.S.) (SUNY Canton),
- Veterinary Service Technology (B.B.A.) (SUNY Canton),
- Agricultural Business Development (B.B.A.) (SUNY Morrisville),
- Dairy Management (B. Tech) (SUNY Morrisville),
- Horticulture Business Management (B. Tech) (SUNY Morrisville),
- Fisheries and Aquaculture (B.T.)(SUNY Cobleskill)
- Plant Science (B.T.) (SUNY Cobleskill).
- Wildlife Management (B.T.) (SUNY Cobleskill)
- Agricultural Business Management (SUNY Cobleskill)
- Agri-Business A.A.S. (Jefferson Community College)
- Energy Technology Certificate (Jefferson Community College)
- Engineering Science A.S. (Jefferson community College)
- Agricultural Sciences (Cornell University/ College of Agriculture and Life Sciences)
- Animal Science (Cornell University/ College of Agriculture and Life Sciences)
- Biological Engineering (Cornell University/ College of Agriculture and Life Sciences)
- Food Science (Cornell University/ College of Agriculture and Life Sciences)
- International agriculture and Rural Development (Cornell University/ College of Agriculture and Life Sciences)
- Plant Sciences (Cornell University/ College of Agriculture and Life Sciences)
Earnings
The National Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the mean hourly wage for a person in the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources industry is $9.09 per hour and $18,910 annually. Wages are different for each of the different trades; in general, the more technical positions or positions that require more skills have higher wages.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted about 1.4 million jobs in the SOC occupations that are assigned to the agriculture, food, and natural resources cluster. Median annual wages for these occupations ranged from $18,710 for crop, nursery, and greenhouse farmworkers and laborers to $116,840 for natural science managers.
- $34,250 – Animal Breeders
- $25,860 – Agricultural Equipment Operators
- $25,140 – Agricultural Workers
- $22,060 – Farmworkers, farm ranch and other aqua cultural animals
- Source: National Bureau of Labor Statistics
Important Links
- New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets
- New York Agricultural Education (Home of New York FFA)
- Cornell Cooperative Extension (Jefferson County)
- United States Department of Agriculture (Farm Service Agency)
- National Farmers Union
- Future Farmers of America
- NYS Grange
- Agriculture Committee (NYS Senate)
- United States Department of Agriculture
- Jefferson County Agriculture
- Jefferson County Economic Development
- New York State Department of Conservation Jobs
