What agriculture jobs are open to high school graduates?

I'm graduating high school and have a strong interest in agriculture. Are there jobs in the agriculture field that hire high school grads? I'd love some direction on where to start looking for opportunities.

Absolutely! There are quite a number of opportunities in the field of agriculture that you can pursue with just a high school diploma. These positions often involve hands-on, technical work and can offer you a solid start in understanding and navigating the industry. Here are few options for you:

1. Farmworker/ Ranch Hand: These are often entry-level positions where you'll be responsible for planting, irrigating, and harvesting crops, taking care of livestock, maintaining farm equipment, and may require manual labor.

2. Greenhouse Assistant: In this role, you'll likely manage planting, watering, pruning, and pesticides for plants inside a greenhouse as well as maintain the facility.

3. Pesticide Applicator/ Handler: This job involves applying pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides on plants. It may require you to have or acquire a pesticide application license.

4. Florist: If you have a creative side and you love plants, working as a florist can be a great job. It can involve creating bouquets, taking care of plants, and selling floral products.

5. Landscaping: In this role, you would work on the design, set-up, and maintenance of yards, gardens, and other outdoor spaces.

Generally, these positions provide on-the-job training so that you can learn as you work. They can also be stepping stones toward more advanced roles in the industry. As you gain experience and if you find specific areas you're more interested in, you could consider further education in the form of certifications or degrees to advance in your field.

Remember, the agricultural sector is broad, and includes areas such as farm machinery, agri-business, agricultural science, animal husbandry, and more. Networking with people in the industry, attending agricultural job fairs, and reaching out directly to local farms or agricultural businesses can be effective ways to find and land a job in agriculture. Good luck with your job search!