If you look at your next meal, you might see meat, fruit, vegetables, or other kinds of food that comes from farms or ranches. The work that farmers and ranchers do is important for helping to feed people and to keep them healthy. If you enjoy working outdoors and helping to provide food for your community, why not consider a career as a rancher or farmer?

Canada has many different kinds of farmers and ranchers. Some may be dairy farmers who keep large herds of cattle or grain farmers with huge fields of grain or greenhouses full of fruit. Ranchers might raise sheep, cattle, or other animals. Both jobs can involve hard physical work and require people to be outside in all kinds of weather, but they can be good choices for anyone who likes to be active.

Farmers and ranchers often work directly with taking care of animals or planting and harvesting crops, but they might also train others to do the work. They need to be able to take care of the business side of the work, as well, including selling what they grow and dealing with budgets and anything else that needs to be done. Supervising farm workers or ranch helpers is also important to make sure that they have the right skills and knowledge.

Some farmers and ranchers own the property where they work, but others rent the land. Salaries range from just over $33,000 per year and can rise to $47,970. Ranching and farming are heavily dependent on the weather. In very dry or very rainy years, crops can fail, or animals can have trouble finding enough land for grazing. Having a second source of income can be important, especially in winter when nothing grows outside. Working with plants in greenhouses can be one way of keeping busy in the colder months of the year while also earning an income.

Educational requirements for farmers and ranchers vary, but a high school diploma with courses in courses in English and mathematics is helpful. A university degree or college diploma in a field such as animal husbandry or agriculture can also help to give people the knowledge they need to keep a farm or ranch running smoothly. Taking courses in business management can be useful for learning how to deal with budgets, wages for employees, and other aspects of the work.

Hard physical work is often part of these jobs. Machinery can help relieve some of the most difficult tasks, but ranching and farming still involve long hours of work in all kinds of weather. As people age, they might want to move to more supervisory roles instead of continuing with the more active work. Helping to train younger people in the job can be one way of staying involved even when the active work becomes too difficult.

A career as a farmer or rancher is difficult and can involve long hours, but the chance to work on the land and to provide food for other people can be very rewarding. If you enjoy growing plants or working with animals, it could be the right job for you.

Bibliography:

Careers.org. “Occupation Profile for Farmers and Ranchers.” http://www.careers.org/occupations/11-9012.00/farmers-and-ranchers.

Career Planner. “Farmers and Ranchers.” https://job-descriptions.careerplanner.com/Farmers-and-Ranchers.cfm.

Indeed.com. “Working as a Rancher: What They Do, Key Skills and Tips to Succeed.” https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/rancher-job.

Talent.com. “Farmer average salary in Canada, 2023.” https://ca.talent.com/salary?job=Farmer.