Agronomists are specialists in the growth and use of plants, working with farmers to optimize crop yield and finding new uses for plants. They may also work in research, education, or conservation, and require a bachelor’s degree and certification.
It takes a team of people to get edible crops from the fields where they are grown to the tables where they are eaten. One of the first people in this chain is an agronomist, sometimes called an agricultural engineer. Agronomists are concerned with understanding plants and their interactions with each other, the soil, and the weather. An agronomist is, simply put, a specialist in the growth and use of plants. There are not only agronomic jobs to provide food crops, but agronomists also work to find new uses for plants, such as fuel and fiber, or animal feed.
You can find an agronomist who works closely with farmers to help them optimize their land for maximum crop yield or arrange beneficial crops to grow together. An agronomist can also perform soil and water trials and figure out the best way to grow crops with the least environmental impact. A field agronomist might also work to figure out the best fertilizer for the type of soil an individual farmer is working with, as well as for the specific geographic area.
More commonly found, however, are research agronomists. A research agronomist may work with companies or government agencies on plant hybridization and soil conservation, as well as the areas mentioned above. Research agronomists might be working to figure out which plants can be used as fuel, such as the discovery that corn can be used to power vehicles, or which plants could make effective pharmaceuticals. Agronomists may also work in education or work with foreign governments in their usual capacity.
In addition to their primary jobs, agricultural engineers may be employed in several other areas. You can find an agronomist who works for farm and garden supply stores. They can also be found as part of a meteorology team or as conservationists.
The education required to become an agronomist varies by position, but the typical agronomist job requires a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited agricultural college. The individual must also, in most cases, pass an exam to become a Certified Agricultural Consultant. After earning a bachelor’s degree, agricultural engineers are almost always required to take continuing education courses to keep up with advances in research and technology.
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