Farm manager : Entry requirements

Previous hands-on farming experience and technical knowledge are as important as academic qualifications, and some employers may appoint candidates on the basis of their experience alone. However, a degree is greatly valued and most farm managers hold at least a degree or HND/Foundation degree in agriculture, or a related subject.

In particular, the following subjects may improve your chances:

• agriculture;
• farm business management;
• crop management;
• horticulture;
• land/estate management;
• agricultural engineering.

Further study to MSc or PhD level is possible if you want to follow the academic route, but this usually leads to research or teaching posts rather than farm management.

Candidates need to show evidence of the following:

• knowledge of food production;
• organisational and time management skills;
• ability to work under pressure;
• supervisory skills and management ability;
• numerical aptitude;
• IT skills;
• willingness to be outside in all weathers and patience to undertake all sorts of practical, sometimes repetitive jobs;
• self-motivation and the ability to motivate others;
• larger-scale business awareness;
• marketing skills;
• negotiation skills;
• genuine commitment to farming;
• good technical knowledge.

A good understanding of modern farming methods, commitment to animal welfare, an interest in (and understanding of) how farming impacts the environment, and awareness of customer demand, food standards and sustainability, are all important.

A significant amount of farming experience or work experience in agricultural practice is normally required before you can be appointed to a trainee management position. Practical experience, especially on-farm, will make you stand out and will demonstrate your passion for the industry. You can gain experience through a sandwich course, vacation work or a gap year placement.

Organisations that offer work experience and/or training schemes for students or new graduates/Diplomates include:

• Co-operative Farms , part of the Co-operative Group - take on around 50 students a year for seasonal farm work, and provide them with practical training. They can then be considered for the Co-operative Farms graduate management training scheme;
• Velcourt , a farm management company - runs a management training scheme, recruiting new graduates and enabling them to move into a career in farm and estate management, including dairy herd management; 
• Management Development Services (MDS)  - offers a scheme for graduates wishing to enter the fresh produce industry;
• Sentry Farms  - offer summer opportunities to train and develop skills with a view to gaining experience with a view to applying for the Sentry graduate management training programme;
• JSR Farming Group  - offer work experience that can lead to trainee farm management positions.

If you would like to broaden your horizons, useful organisations for arranging work experience abroad include AgriVenture  and World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) .

For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.