Description
Agricultural Technician (Agricultural Tech) supports agronomists and animal scientists in field and laboratory work. Sets up and maintains equipment; collects plant, soil, water, and animal samples; prepares specimens; and records accurate data. Conducts trials to improve crop yield and quality, strengthen resistance to pests and disease, and support breeding, nutrition, and integrated pest management programs.
- • Record research, trial, and animal care data.
- • Compile data summaries and reports with charts or graphs.
- • Conduct insect and plant disease surveys.
- • Propagate plants, germinate seeds, maintain cuttings, and manage nursery environments.
- • Operate and calibrate farm machinery (tractors, plows, mowers, sprayers, harvesters, trucks).
- • Perform crop production tasks: tilling, hoeing, pruning, weeding, and harvesting.
- • Develop and test cultural methods and environmental controls for crops.
- • Maintain and repair facilities, equipment, and tools to ensure safety and readiness.
- • Transplant trees, vegetables, and horticultural plants.
- • Train and lead agricultural technicians or farm laborers.
- • Prepare and present agricultural demonstrations.
- • Assess soil erosion across different planting and tillage systems.
- • Study fertilizer types, rates, and timing to meet crop needs while minimizing losses.
- • Record environmental data (soil, air, water, pests) to support IPM.
- • Measure and weigh reagents and ingredients for laboratory testing.
- • Set up, calibrate, and stage laboratory or field equipment for site testing.
- • Prepare, label, and store laboratory samples per protocols; manage disposal.
- • Examine animals and crop specimens for diseases or other problems.
- • Collect plant, soil, water, feed, and animal samples.
- • Oversee pest and weed control operations, including identification, product selection, and application scheduling.
- • Assist with animal breeding and nutrition trials, including feeding regimes and sample collection.
- • Prepare land for crops, orchards, or vineyards by plowing, discing, leveling, or contouring.
- • Perform laboratory and field assays using spectrometers, nitrogen analyzers, air samplers, centrifuges, and pH meters.
- • Test seeds to evaluate viability and vigor.
- • Prepare culture media following standard procedures.
- • Determine and report germination rates in trial plots.
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O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
