0 Shares

Organic food is still a growing sector in the food industry. The term “organic” often feels like a buzzword. You might think of the green sticker on your product or the more expensive aisle at the supermarket. In reality, farmers follow specific guidelines so that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) can certify their products as organic.

Organic farmers grow crops without the use of synthetic chemicals, genetically modified organisms, or other artificial methods. They rely on natural processes and techniques to maintain their fields and produce healthy crops. This Pritish Kumar Halder guide will help you prepare for your interview by providing you with proper guidelines.

Organic farming systems typically use less energy, fertilizer, and herbicide; fix more carbon in the soil, and produce more fertile soil overall.

Organic Farmer Interview: the Basics

To be successful as a farmer, you should demonstrate a passion for the outdoors, knowledge of agricultural machinery, and physical stamina. The expression, “feed the soil, not the plant” is a familiar refrain among organic farmers. Research has also found that exposure to pesticides through non-organic foods can harm vulnerable populations, including pregnant women, infants, and children. Ultimately, a top-notch Farmer should possess physical strength, good hand-eye coordination, and a keen interest in agriculture.

Workplace & BLS analysis:

Farmers work outdoors in all kinds of weather, so they must be prepared for hot sun, cold winters, and everything in between. They also work with large, powerful machinery, which can be dangerous if it’s not used properly. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment for farmers will decline by 1% over the next decade. Despite these unsettling predictions, one sector in the agriculture industry has maintained a steady upward trajectory for several decades: organic farming. From 2011 to 2017, the number of organic farms in the U.S. increased by almost 75%. By the end of this period, there were nearly 16,000 organic farms.

Education:

Most organic farmers have a high school diploma or equivalent. Some farmers choose to pursue a two-year associate degree in agriculture. This degree provides a foundation in organic farming, including courses in soil science, crop science, animal science, agricultural business, and agricultural engineering. Many students stay in academia as well, eventually earning a master’s degree or Ph.D. in organic agriculture or a related field. Organic farmers receive training through internships and apprenticeships. They may learn about the specific practices and techniques used by the farm and the organization.

List of Topics to Prepare

The level of the interview will directly depend on the experience you have, followed by your qualification and work skills. However, if the candidate is an experienced person, the process can tricky and technical to test the applicant’s true abilities. There are many concepts that the interviewer can question you about, it usually revolves around these topics:

Focus on the Skills bellows:

Technical skills: Organic farmers need technical skills to understand and use machinery and tools to maintain their farms.
Marketing and sales: Organic farmers sell their products directly to consumers, so marketing and sales skills can help them grow their business.
Problem-solving: Organic farmers often use their problem-solving skills to find solutions to challenges in their farming practices.
Leadership: As an organic farmer, you may be responsible for managing a team of employees.
Teamwork: Organic farmers often work with other people, including employees, suppliers, and customers.

Acquired experiences need to apply for this position:

Previous experience in the farming industry.
Knowledge of farming best practices.
Able to work long hours on location.
Excellent hand-eye coordination.
Performing manual labor.
Performing maintenance on the farm.
Handling heavy machinery.
Repair faulty vehicles and machinery.

Acquired knowledge needs to apply for this position:

Devising strategies for harvesting or breeding.
Planting new crops and maintaining existing crops using farming equipment such as tractors, tillers, harvesters, and other machinery
Monitoring crop growth and soil quality to ensure that crops are growing properly and that nutrients are being replenished as needed
Managing employees and contractors, including scheduling workers’ shifts, providing training, and ensuring that all safety procedures are followed
Harvesting crops at the appropriate time to ensure high-quality produce or flowers are not damaged by weather conditions or pests
Determining which crops grow best in certain conditions based on the location of the farm and the type of soil it has
Installing irrigation systems or other methods of improving water retention in soil
Following federal regulations regarding pesticide use, storage, and disposal of waste materials
Performing operational tasks such as weeding, pruning, and harvesting crops
Market farming activities to consumers either directly at a roadside stand or through a community-supported agriculture program (CSA)

Finally, organic farming tends to be better for the environment. Organic farming systems typically use less energy, fertilizer, and herbicide; fix more carbon in the soil, and produce more fertile soil overall. When interviewing for the Organic farmer’s interview position, your interviewer will ask questions to assess you’re perform in regional knowledge and experience. The answers you give can be a deciding factor in whether you receive a job offer.

Farmers work outdoors in all kinds of weather, so they must be prepared for hot sun, cold winters, and everything in between.

Learn More about the Job

Anyone serious about landing a job or acing an Organic farmer’s job interview should have adequate knowledge about the concepts mentioned above. More importantly, the applicant should know what kind of industries they are applying to and the nature of the job to prepare accordingly.

However, if you feel overwhelmed, get in touch with Pritish Kumar Halder to help you nail the interview. With his expertise in Organic farmer’s interview preparation, from core Organic farmer’s interview questions to advanced Organic farmer’s interview questions, you’ll have brilliant responses ready.

Get in touch with us today!

Composed by: Suma Sarker

Reference:

0 Shares

How to Prepare for Organic Farmer Interview? (Part-1)