It helps to grow up living on a farm or ranch or working with animals. Internships or supervised work experience may lead to employment or better job prospects and recommendations.

Many programs are designed for farm and ranch owners who want to upgrade their professional skills. In some cases, programs require you to have professional farm or ranch management experience to be admitted.

Some programs allow you to specialize in one area of agricultural operations and production. For instance, you can concentrate your studies on processing livestock. Or, you can concentrate on managing farms that only grow food and grain products.

In some cases, graduates of two-year programs go on to study veterinary medicine.

For information about farm occupations, opportunities, and 4-H activities, contact your local county extension service office.