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8 | CAREERS IN AGRICULTURE 9 | CAREERS IN AGRICULTURE

Diesel Mechanic

SALARY: EXPERIENCE: JEREMIAH SAMEK
$30,000 - $100,000 “I would recommend a diesel program or going through a dealership › JLS Repair
program like John Deere’s. Working on farms and trying to get experience
operating equipment is also something valuable.”

WHAT DO THEY DO?
Each day is different for Jeremiah, and a lot of his work
depends on the season. He does work for about 20 different
farmers. Some farmers have him do all of their mechanic
work, while others use him for specific projects, back-up or
troubleshooting. Jeremiah has a shop that he works out of and
a mobile-service truck equipped with a wide variety of tools,
a welder and a crane. Winter usually includes more projects,
overhauls and fabricating of equipment. Work during
“ FAVORITE PART OF THE THE JOB customers ready for harvest. Summer is spent almost entirely
the spring consists of overhauling, inspecting and getting

“in the field” doing troubleshooting and repairs. Fall is also
I really enjoy being outside and working on farm
some troubleshooting, winterizing and winding down from
equipment. It is very rewarding to be able to help
the busy season. Jeremiah does all his own invoicing, billing
the farmers keep their equipment running during the
stressful harvest time. and sourcing of parts for projects. This takes more time than
he would prefer, but he enjoys the other parts of being self-
ADVICE employed.
Be able to operate the equipment that you want to
work on. If you understand how the equipment works
and why it works the way it does, you will be able to
repair it much faster.

“
Started his
own business
Met farmers and took after eight
several classes through the years in the
Worked on a hay/straw dealerships that specialized dealership
After nine months press and baling operation in various pieces of world
of intense training at for three years equipment
Wyoming Technical
Institute, completed the
diesel program

Bought a cheap,
used service
Grew up on a farm, Worked for Ag West and a truck and later
operating equipment, New Holland dealership upgraded and
working at the seed cleaner invested in tools
and harvesting mint