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AgricultureGreen JobOccupation aligned to O*NET green economy classifications.

Farmers, Ranchers, and Agricultural Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the management or operation of farms, ranches, greenhouses, aquacultural operations, nurseries, timber tracts, or other agricultural establishments. May hire, train, and supervise farm workers or contract for services to carry out the day-to-day activities of the managed operation. May engage in or supervise planting, cultivating, harvesting, and financial and marketing activities.

Annual openings

1,112

Median wage

n/a

Typical education

High school (GED)

Growth 2026–2032

-1%

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Career requirements

What does this career require?

Explore education, required qualifications, voluntary credentials and employer preferences for this role. Check the details to see which apply.

Typical education

High school (GED)

Credential requirement

Credential requirements not reported

Work experience

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. Work experience as a Supervisor is highly valued.

Employer competency information

Feedback from employers identifies the following competencies as being critical to support a successful move up to the Manager level

  • Planning & Organizing — Plan and organize the successful completion of tasks and projects for multiple teams; set expectations for team members and hold them accountable.
  • Personnel & Human Resources and Interpersonal Skills — Understand behaviors (Psychology) of team members; motivate, empower and get a diverse team to work well together; lead and manage staff; deal with others with fairness and integrity; and hire and fill skills gaps effectively.
  • Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, & Decision Making — Continue to elevate these skills for use in activities that cross teams, including strategic thinking and vision setting across an organization.
Farmers and Ranchers are small business owners with diverse skills in animal/plant care and production, land management, food safety, etc. There are also Agriculture Managers running large farm, dairy or ranch operations and even more urban horse operations with a manager that runs riding classes and boarding operations.
There are a wide variety of specialized agriculture products in Colorado, created on farms and ranches and in greenhouses.

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

Automation exposure

Moderate exposure

Some routine tasks may shift as tools improve, but the role is likely to adapt.

A typical day

  1. Collect and record growth, production, and environmental data.
  2. Manage nurseries that grow horticultural plants for sale to trade or retail customers, for display or exhibition, or for research.
  3. Direct and monitor trapping and spawning of fish, egg incubation, and fry rearing, applying knowledge of management and fish culturing techniques.
  4. Direct and monitor the transfer of mature fish to lakes, ponds, streams, or commercial tanks.
  5. Determine how to allocate resources and to respond to unanticipated problems, such as insect infestation, drought, and fire.
  6. Determine plant growing conditions, such as greenhouses, hydroponics, or natural settings, and set planting and care schedules.
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