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Farmer Green Job

Farmers and farm managers grow crops and raise farm animals for food production.

Annual Salary

£21,000 to £50,000

Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

39 to 41 variable

You could work: evenings / weekends / bank holidays; flexibly

3.4%
Future employment

There will be 3.4% more Farmer jobs in 2027.

Day to day tasks

Your day-to-day tasks will depend on whether you work with animals, crops or a mixture of both.

You could:

  • make sure the farm follows health and safety standards and regulations
  • feed and check on animals, or fertilise and harvest crops
  • buy and sell animals or crops
  • set budget and production targets and keep records
  • help maintain farm equipment
  • recruit, train and supervise farm workers

Working environment

You may need to wear protective clothing.

You could work on a farm or in an office.

Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors in all weathers.

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
University

You could take a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

  • agriculture
  • land management
  • farm business management
  • crop and livestock production

Courses and qualifications are available at agricultural colleges and universities.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
  • university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
College

You could start your career in farming by doing a course at an agricultural college like:

  • Level 2 Certificate in Land-based Activities
  • Level 3 Diploma in Agriculture
  • T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production

This could teach you some of the skills and knowledge you might need in this job.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
  • guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
  • search for agricultural colleges|https://nlbc.uk/partners/members/
  • search for courses|/find-a-course
Apprenticeship

You could get farming experience through an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship like:

  • General Farm Worker Level 2
  • Poultry Technician Level 3
  • Livestock Unit Technician Level 3
  • Crop Technician Level 3

You could also apply to do an Assistant Farm Manager Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship, if you want to work in farm management.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
For more information
  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • higher and degree apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-and-degree-apprenticeships
  • guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Work

You could get management experience by working as a supervisor, unit manager or assistant manger before moving into farm management.

You could also take qualifications on the job like the Level 4 Certificate in Work-based Agricultural Management.

More information

Professional and industry bodies

You could become a member of the National Farmers Union (NFU) to keep up to date with the farming industry.

The National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs also supports young people in agricultural work and those interested in rural life.

You could join to:learn new skills; enter competitions; network with other young people

Further information

You can get more information about farming careers from Tasty Careers, The Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture and LANTRA.

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With experience you could move into related areas, such as becoming an adviser, consultant or trainer. This includes being an adviser for the government.

How does this job help to address the impacts of climate change and protect wildlife and nature in the West of England?

Farmers are needed to grow crops and raise animals for food production in a sustainable way that helps to protect the wildlife and natural environment in the West of England.

There are several different routes you can take to get into working as an Farmer which you can explore further in the 'Routes into this job' section above. 

Click here for an explanation of the different course and apprenticeship levels.

Examples of post-16 courses you could study at local schools or colleges

  • Biology, Geography or Environmental Science A-levels
  • Level 2-3 Countryside Management at Bridgwater and Taunton College
  • Level 2-3 Agriculture at Hartpury College

Click here to find a local provider

Examples of apprenticeships you may be able to take with local employers

  • Level 2 General Farm Worker
  • Level 2 Poultry Worker 
  • Level 3 Poultry Technician 
  • Level 3 Livestock Unit Technician 
  • Level 3 Crop Technician

Click here to search for a local apprenticeship

Examples of post-18 courses you could study at local higher education providers 

Click here to search for other university courses

Examples of employers with local job opportunities 

  • Local farms
  • Soil Association
  • LettUs Grow

For more local employment opportunities in farming see in the 'Live job vacancies by region' section above.

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • to be flexible and open to change
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
  • the ability to work on your own
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • business management skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
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