There are many careers possible in the worlds of food, agriculture, and plant science. These diverse opportunities may be found in the public or private sector and include farming, horticulture and crop science, soil science, water science, genetic analysis and engineering, business management, marketing, policymaking, and so much more.
To learn more about the range of career opportunities, visit Together We Grow. A variety of job listings can be found at AgCareers. Career resources are also available through Colorado State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences. Some careers that benefit from knowledge of plant genetic diversity, either directly or indirectly, are listed below, along with links to more information.
Genebank curation and technical support The U.S. National Plant Germplasm System and similar systems around the world conserve plant genetic resources through networks of genebanks. Genebank curators develop, maintain, and evaluate the crop collections held by their organizations. A curator might oversee a single large-acreage crop like maize, or several minor crops. Curators are assisted by technical staff who monitor, regenerate, evaluate, and distribute the crop germplasm. Watch several curators at the North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station discuss their jobs in the video playlist, ‘Curators and Collections’. Careers in the USDA are available through USAJobs.
Plant breeding Plant breeders are tasked with developing cultivars or improved breeding populations that meet societal needs. Typical traits that are targeted for improvement are yield, disease resistance, and nutritional or processing qualities. Knowledge of available genetic resources and how to use them are key parts of a plant breeder’s skill set. Information on plant breeding, including job postings and educational programs, is available from the National Association of Plant Breeders.
Seed industry In addition to plant breeding, many other opportunities are available in the seed industry. These include jobs in agricultural research, product development, seed production and quality, and regulatory affairs. First the Seed Foundation has produced a document describing some of the available careers in this industry.
Plant science education Plant genetic diversity is increasingly recognized as a critical factor in addressing global challenges—for food security, public health, energy needs, and environmental sustainability. Educators knowledgeable about these areas will be relevant at the K-12, university, and continuing education levels. For a wealth of teaching resources, visit National Agriculture in the Classroom.
Botanic gardens Public gardens have evolved to be much more than horticultural display gardens. They are heavily involved in research, conservation, and environmental education, addressing threats to plant communities such as climate change and invasive species. The American Public Gardens Association website has career information and job listings on its ‘Professional Development’ page. International job listings are posted through Botanic Gardens Conservation International.
Agricultural technology Agriculture is supported by mechanical infrastructure and is increasingly reliant on advancing technologies. Jobs in soil monitoring, water analysis, and irrigation are evolving, but are always essential to crop management. ‘Smart’ agriculture jobs provide the opportunity to use technologies and advanced data collection practices (such as those provided by drone technology) to support farming and crop science.
Skills Training Opportunities Many of these career paths begin with a degree in Agricultural Sciences, or with a related academic course. Whether pursuing a new career or developing your skills, consider taking a non-credit course or participating in industry specific micro-credentialing and professional development that demonstrate your proficiency in agricultural fields. Colorado State University has 3 pilot Upskilling badges available for free, thanks to grant funding. Self-register for these by clicking on the link below (Then scroll down to the “CSU Spur Tours” section and when asked, enter the code “spur”):
