Getting Work as a Farmer

First Steps

A cow is in a pen with a yellow tag in its ear

So you've been bitten by the farming bug and are looking to start a new career out on the land.  Dreams of working in the fresh air, far from the choking city under an endless blue sky and a chance to do a rewarding job working with your hands appeal to you. Or perhaps you're thinking of starting a farm yourself and want to get some experience in what agricultural work is really like before making the expensive commitment of buying some land and planting some crops.  Whatever you decide, the first question becomes "Where do I start?"

Agricultural businesses such as farms come in many shapes or sizes.  From pig farms to Christmas tree plantations, there's a huge range of potential opportunities to suit all desires for living and working in the outdoors.  Better yet, given that most farms are owned by independent farmers and are thus small businesses it is comparatively easier to get work by getting access to employer i.e. owner directly, rather than you might at a traditional firm where asking to speak to the owner is more likely to get you filtered out by the HR department than filtered in.

Working outdoors is as varied as the farms themselves.  You might be working directly with animals, or operating farm equipment such as tractors and harvesters.  Farm buildings require maintenance and stables mucking out.  The quintessential hedges that mark the boundaries of fields all need trimming. Things need to be moved, picked up and put away in a job that will demand the best from you both physically and mentally.

 Getting Qualified

A sheep is looking directly at the camera with other sheep of varying colours in the background

Given the hands on nature of the work, farming traditionally did not require significant amounts of prior experience or qualifications.  However in the EU, competition from seasonal workers migrating from outside the UK and similar countries has meant that workers resident in them increasingly need to be able to have reasons to stand above the competition be it experience or formal qualification.  Achieved via an agricultural college or alternatively through an ADL distance course you can get the training and skills you need in order to make yourself the better choice for a farmer looking for extra hands.  

Another important thing to bear in mind about getting work as a farmer is the seasonal nature of the work.  If you like to go on holiday in August then working on a farm isn't for you – the summer months and the lead up to the harvest season are some of the busiest times on the farm.  Elsewhere spring tends to bring an abundance of baby animals on those farms that focus on livestock.  

This makes the harvest season an ideal time to seek out work on a short notice as many farmers will be eager to solicit extra help to cope with peak demand.  However unless you are able to come to a longer term arrangement with the farmer for employment it is essential to have a plan lined up for when the busy season ends. 

LEAVE A REPLY

BLOG CATEGORIES

MOST POPULAR

Easter 2025 Opening Hours

Easter Opening Hours We will close on Thursday 17th April at 4.30pm and then re- open again on Tuesday 22nd April at 9am due to the Easter break. Feel free to email as normal or leave a message on live chat or on our answerphone 01227 789649 over the weekend and we will get back

Read More »

Christmas 2024 Opening Hours

Merry Christmas, here are the ADL opening hours for Christmas 2024: Monday 23rd December – 9am to 5pm Tuesday 24th December – CLOSED Christmas eve Wednesday 25th December – CLOSED Christmas DAY Thursday 26th December – CLOSED Boxing Day Friday 27th December – CLOSED Monday 30th December – 10am -4pm Tuesday 31st December – 10am

Read More »

At ADL we focus on helping you learn! You have the opportunity to interact one to one with our tutors, so you can approach learning in whatever way and speed that best suits you. This individual service not normally found at most colleges, contributes to successful learning. You decide how you wish to receive your

Read More »

Water Gardening Site Selection

Things to Consider When Selecting Your Water Garden Location Have you ever dreamed of building a Water Garden, but just didn’t know where to start?  ADL’s online certificate course in Water Gardeng provides the necessary knowledge and skills to help you get started. The first thing is to decide on the location of your water

Read More »

SIGNUP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER

Scroll to Top

REQUEST A CALLBACK

To speak to one of our course advisors, please enter your name and phone number below and click the "Please Call Me" button. We will call you back as soon as possible!

By submitting this form, I provide my consent to ADL to contact me via email or telephone, regarding the course I selected. All information provided is protected in conformity with our Privacy Policy.

CONTACT US

required fields are marked with *

By submitting this form, I provide my consent to ADL to contact me via email or telephone, regarding the course I selected. All information provided is protected in conformity with our Privacy Policy.