Careers in Agriculture

By Willy Franzen

Looking for an entry level job or internship in agriculture? This is an overview of how to approach the search and a list of companies that might have relevant entry level and internship opportunities.

Photo Credit: Flickr user fishhawk

Agriculture is the process of raising plants and animals in order to sustain and increase the quality of life. Agriculture happens on farms large and small, from backyard gardens to farms spanning multiple acres. You can certainly work as a farmer or farmhand, but if that’s not your cup of tea (or milk), there are many other opportunities out there. Depending on your interests, you could work in:

Agricultural Engineering: apply technology to farming
Food Science: apply technology to the food we eat
Farm Management: Mange a farm or ranch
Nonprofits: Make food more accessible to all, or preserve part of nature
The Federal Government, especially the Department of Agriculture

You need a bachelor’s degree for most of these jobs, preferably with a focus in the field you’re interested in (so lots of courses in agricultural science if you’re interested in the science or technology side of agriculture).

Displaying 1-10 of 24 results.

Grain Facility Manager - Eastville, VA Mountaire Corporation Ashburn, VA	View
Agriculture and Economic Growth Staff Associate (Remote, US-Based) Tetra Tech Arlington, VA	View
Director, Mid-Columbia Agricultural Research and Extension Center Oregon State University Fairfax, VA	View
Director, Mid-Columbia Agricultural Research and Extension Center Oregon State University - Corvallis, OR Alexandria, VA	View
Economic Growth, Agriculture, and Food Security Senior Advisor, WAMENA Region Abt Associates Rockville, MD	View
Field Enumerator National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Arlington, VA	View
Assistant/Associate Teaching Professor, Biotechnology University of Nevada, Reno College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources Fairfax, VA	View
Spray Technician- Lawn Care Davey Tree Chantilly, VA	View
Assistant Professor in Residence for Dairy Extension and Education University of Connecticut Arlington, VA	View
Animal Protection Police Officer I Fairfax County Sheriff's Office Fairfax, VA	View

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Companies with Entry Level Jobs and Internships in Agriculture

Wholesome Wave - Wholesome Wave is a Bridgeport, CT based non-profit with a mission “to empower people in underserved urban and rural communities to make healthier food choices.”

See the complete Wholesome Wave profile

Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture - Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture is a Pocantico Hills, NY based non-profit that's "working to improve the way America eats and farms.”

See the complete Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture profile

Old Sturbridge Village - Old Sturbridge Village is the “largest outdoor history museum in the Northeast” and it “depicts a rural New England town of the 1830s.”

See the complete Old Sturbridge Village profile

Mass Farmers Markets - Mass Farmers Markets is a Waltham, MA based non-profit that aims "to foster, enhance and sustain farmers market in Massachusetts."

See the complete Mass Farmers Markets profile

Hillshire Brands - Hillshire Brands is based in Chicago, IL and aims to be “the most innovative meat-centric food company in the U.S.”

See the complete Hillshire Brands profile

Partners of the Americas - Partners of the Americas is a DC based non-profit that works to “build partnerships that create opportunity, foster understanding, and solve real-life problems.”

See the complete Partners of the Americas profile

Landesa - Landesa is a Seattle, WA based non-profit that “works to secure land rights for the world’s poorest people."

See the complete Landesa profile

Seattle Tilth - Seattle Tilth aims “to inspire and educate people to safeguard our natural resources while building an equitable and sustainable local food system.”

See the complete Seattle Tilth profile

Crop Quest - Crop Quest is a Dodge City, KS based “innovation-driven leader in crop consulting and agricultural production management and solutions."

See the complete Crop Quest profile

BrightFarms - BrightFarms is a New York, NY based company that "designs, finances, builds, and operates hydroponic greenhouse farms at, or near, supermarkets."

See the complete BrightFarms profile

Chobani - Chobani is a Norwich, NY based Greek yogurt company whose focus on simplicity has led them to remarkable growth since they launched in 2005.

See the complete Chobani profile

Back to the Roots - Back to the Roots is an Oakland, CA based company that allows you to enjoy the freshly picked mushroom experience at home.

See the complete Back to the Roots profile

Heifer International - Heifer International is a Little Rock, AR based non-profit that enables people to “donate animals to poor countries.”

See the complete Heifer International profile

One Acre Fund - One Acre Fund is a non-profit that is working to eliminate poverty in Africa by increasing the efficiency of family farming operations, and they're hiring.

See the complete One Acre Fund profile

Amy’s Kitchen - Amy's Kitchen is a Petaluma, CA based natural frozen foods company that is all vegetarian and mostly organic. They have some great jobs for new grads.

See the complete Amy’s Kitchen profile

Driscoll’s - Driscoll's is a Watsonville, CA based purveyor of premium berries, and they have all kinds of job opportunities available.

See the complete Driscoll’s profile

The Humane Society of the United States - The Humane Society of the United States is the country's largest animal protection organization, and they're hiring.

See the complete The Humane Society of the United States profile

Solazyme - Solazyme is a San Francisco, CA based company that synthesizes oil from algae, and they have some great job opportunities for new grads.

See the complete Solazyme profile

Super Sprowtz - Super Sprowtz is an NYC based company that has developed a cast of “vegetable super heroes” to “entertain and educate children about healthy eating habits.”

See the complete Super Sprowtz profile

National Christmas Tree Association - The National Christmas Tree Association represents Christmas tree growers all across the country, and they might have some interesting jobs.

See the complete National Christmas Tree Association profile

4-H - 4-H is a Chevy Chase, MD based non-profit that "empowers youth to reach their full potential," and they have some great looking job opportunities.

See the complete 4-H profile

Synthetic Genomics - Interested in solving the world's problems through genomics? A career with Synthetic Genomics may be just what you're looking for.

See the complete Synthetic Genomics profile

Hamilton Farm Bureau - This morning I heard an NPR segment on Hamilton Farm Bureau and how they're having trouble finding talent. Maybe you can be the solution to their problem.

See the complete Hamilton Farm Bureau profile

Ocean Spray - Ocean Spray is all about giving consumers new ways to enjoy fruits that they've known all their lives, and they're hiring people to help them do that.

See the complete Ocean Spray profile

Marrone Bio Innovations - If you’re excited about a world with less harmful pesticides, then you should check out jobs at Marrone Bio Innovations.

See the complete Marrone Bio Innovations profile

Rodale Institute - If you want to be part of the organic movement, then you should consider jobs at the Rodale Institute in Kutztown, PA.

See the complete Rodale Institute profile

American Farmland Trust - If you love our farmland and want to be a part of ensuring that it’s still around when you have kids, then you should check out jobs at American Farmland Trust.

See the complete American Farmland Trust profile

Tomato Mountain Farm - Interested in what Tomato Mountain Farm is doing? Check out their Jobs page. Right now they’re looking for two people to work farmers markets.

See the complete Tomato Mountain Farm profile

Cultivating Community - If you share the same ideals, then you might want to consider a job with Cultivating Community—they're hiring right now.

See the complete Cultivating Community profile

Pilgrim’s Pride - Pilgrim’s Pride has a few dozen job opportunities posted, and plenty of them appear to be suitable for new grads with a background in Animal or Food Science.

See the complete Pilgrim’s Pride profile

Seed Savers Exchange - Seed Savers Exchange maintains "more than 25,000 endangered vegetable varieties," and they're looking to hire entry level people to help them do that.

See the complete Seed Savers Exchange profile

Green Chimneys - Green Chimneys is a Brewster, NY based non-profit organization that is perfect if you love working with special-needs children and also love animals.

See the complete Green Chimneys profile

Agricultural Consulting Services - Agricultural Consulting Services is exactly what their name says they are, and they're looking for Agricultural Engineers and Agricultural Consultants.

See the complete Agricultural Consulting Services profile

Jennie-O - If you\'re a new grad who wants to be reminded of Thanksgiving every day when you’re at work, then you should consider a job with Jennie-O.

See the complete Jennie-O profile

Rainforest Alliance - Well if you’re interested in Jobs with Rainforest Alliance, you’re in luck, because there are a lot of them. Many are perfectly suited to new college grads.

See the complete Rainforest Alliance profile

Decagon Devices - Decagon Devices is looking for a Food Physicist/Engineer and an Environmental Instrumentation Application Specialist in Pullman, WA.

See the complete Decagon Devices profile

World Cocoa Foundation - The World Cocoa Foundation is a non-profit organization that “encourages sustainable, responsible cocoa growing.” We\'re wondering if they ever hire new grads.

See the complete World Cocoa Foundation profile

Organic Valley - Located in La Farge, WI, Organic Valley is a cooperative that allows small organic farmers to combine their growing power and sell products on a grand scale.

See the complete Organic Valley profile

US Forest Service - We're leaving the research to you because the United States Forest Service has way too many entry-level openings all over the U.S. for us to list.

See the complete US Forest Service profile

Check out the latest job and internship postings in agriculture.

Careers in Agriculture

Companies with Entry Level Jobs and Internships in Agriculture

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