Description
Manage and optimize crop production in the field while protecting soil and water resources. Conduct soil surveys, scouting, and on-farm trials to diagnose issues and develop site-specific fertility, irrigation, and pest management plans. Advise growers on crop rotation, cover crops, contour farming, and other practices to reduce erosion and conserve water, and oversee implementation to specifications. Train farm staff and coordinate with retailers and agencies to ensure compliance and stewardship.
- • Implement soil, water, and nutrient management techniques according to agronomic plans.
- • Advise growers and farm managers on cropping plans, input selection, and alternative solutions.
- • Monitor field trials and implemented practices to ensure they meet agronomic specifications.
- • Inspect fields with erosion, salinity, compaction, drainage, or stand issues to diagnose root causes.
- • Develop and maintain working relationships with growers, ag retailers, extension, and local agencies.
- • Apply agronomy, soil science, crop physiology, and pest management principles to optimize outcomes.
- • Use GIS, remote sensing, and yield or soil data to create management zones and recommendations.
- • Develop seeding rates, fertility programs, irrigation schedules, and planting prescriptions using field data and guides.
- • Collaborate on teams to design and implement on-farm research and soil health or sustainability initiatives.
- • Facilitate fact-finding sessions among growers, landlords, and agencies to resolve agronomic or compliance issues.
- • Conduct follow-up visits to evaluate implemented recommendations and adjust plans as needed.
- • Address questions on regulatory compliance, nutrient management plans, and buffer or field-edge requirements.
- • Prepare cost-benefit analyses for agronomic practices, input programs, or equipment upgrades.
- • Provide training to farm staff or partners on scouting, calibration, safety, and stewardship.
- • Analyze soil, tissue, water, and yield data to determine corrective actions for fertility or soil health.
- • Coordinate technical and administrative support for grower programs, rebates, or cost-share initiatives.
- • Recommend integrated pest management strategies, including thresholds, resistant varieties, cultural controls, and targeted pesticides.
- • Evaluate proposed edge-of-field, drainage, or conservation practices for agronomic fit and performance.
- • Design and conduct surveys, stand counts, and on-farm trials to inform management decisions.
- • Manage field schedules, seasonal staff, and cooperative trials with universities or industry partners.
- • Plan crop rotations, cover crops, residue management, tillage, and other soil conservation practices.
- • Conduct audits or checks to ensure agronomic programs meet protocols, labels, and stewardship standards.
- • Develop irrigation and water-use efficiency plans using weather data, soil moisture sensors, and ET information.
- • Review and contribute to farm nutrient management and conservation plans.
- • Conduct varietal and hybrid performance trials or assess practice impacts on soil health and habitat.
- • Enter field observations and lab results into decision-support tools to generate recommendations.
- • Compile and interpret scouting data on pests, weeds, diseases, and beneficials to guide actions.
- • Prepare seasonal performance reports for growers, documenting outcomes, ROI, and compliance.
- • Review demonstration or cost-share project applications and provide funding recommendations.
- • Develop or update soil, yield, and fertility maps from grid or zone sampling and imagery.
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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
