Agricultural and Food Science Technicians

Agricultural and Food Science Technicians typically perform the following tasks: • Prepare land for cultivated crops, orchards, or vineyards by plowing, discing, leveling, or contouring. • Operate farm machinery, including tractors, plows, mowers, combines, balers, sprayers, earthmoving equipment, or trucks. • Record data pertaining to experimentation, research, or animal care. • Maintain or repair agricultural facilities, equipment, or tools to ensure operational readiness, safety, and cleanliness. • Perform crop production duties, such as tilling, hoeing, pruning, weeding, or harvesting crops. • Collect animal or crop samples. • Examine animals or crop specimens to determine the presence of diseases or other problems. • Set up laboratory or field equipment as required for site testing. • Supervise or train agricultural technicians or farm laborers. • Conduct studies of nitrogen or alternative fertilizer application methods, quantities, or timing to ensure satisfaction of crop needs and minimization of leaching, runoff, or denitrification. • Prepare laboratory samples for analysis, following proper protocols to ensure that they will be stored, prepared, and disposed of efficiently and effectively. • Measure or weigh ingredients used in laboratory testing. • Perform tests on seeds to evaluate seed viability. • Prepare data summaries, reports, or analyses that include results, charts, or graphs to document research findings and results. • Perform laboratory or field testing, using spectrometers, nitrogen determination apparatus, air samplers, centrifuges, or potential hydrogen (pH) meters to perform tests. • Supervise pest or weed control operations, including locating and identifying pests or weeds, selecting chemicals and application methods, or scheduling application. • Devise cultural methods or environmental controls for plants for which guidelines are sketchy or nonexistent. • Conduct insect or plant disease surveys. • Perform general nursery duties, such as propagating standard varieties of plant materials, collecting and germinating seeds, maintaining cuttings of plants, or controlling environmental conditions. • Record environmental data from field samples of soil, air, water, or pests to monitor the effectiveness of integrated pest management (IPM) practices.