Page 2 - Plant Sciences_Neat

2 | CAREERS IN AGRICULTURE 3 | CAREERS IN AGRICULTURE

Agronomist

SALARY: EXPERIENCE: RYAN MEYERSICK
$40,000 - $90,000 To be an agronomist you need at least two years of agronomy experience. › Valley Agronomics
This could include being a Field Scout/Technician, internships or having
farm experience. A degree in agronomy or a related field is preferred.

WHAT DO THEY DO?
As an Agronomist, Ryan works alongside farmers to
increase agricultural productivity by recommending
the correct pesticides and nutrients needed to protect
and grow various crops. He scouts fields and observes
plant development, researches solutions and resolves
complications. He will reference pesticide labels and
pull soil or tissue samples to make accurate and timely
recommendations. During the winter months he works
“ FAVORITE PART OF THE JOB with chemical representatives, tours trial plots and aids
in the field, attends trade shows and seminars, meets

in research and development of new technologies and
I’m able to work with farmers who are ‘the salt of the
products. During trade shows and seminars, Ryan receives
earth’; they provide the food and resources we need
to survive. updates on new farming technologies, new classes of
chemistries and new crop varieties. Staying updated and
ADVICE adapting to the changes in this growing industry is essential
I would recommend getting as much hands-on for maintaining customer relationships.
experience as you can by working on a farm and
alongside a farmer. It will give you the practical
experience of running a farm.

“

Worked
into the
Agronomist
Job-shadowed an Earned a bachelor’s degree position
agronomist at Simplot in agriculture business after two
while attending Oregon management with a minor in years of field
Worked as a farm hand State University crop science experience
for McKee Family
Farms in high school

Hired by Wilco as a
Field Technician
Grew up working on Completed an internship with
farms during berry and Wilco as a Field Scout his senior
grass-seed harvests, and year of college
helped in vineyards