Farm worker
Farm workers raise livestock and use machinery to plant and harvest crops.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
Your duties will depend on the type of farm you work on and the time of year.
As a farm worker you could:
- feed and look after livestock
- operate milking equipment on a dairy farm
- treat animals and crops to prevent disease
- plough fields, sow seeds and harvest crops
- drive tractors, quad bikes and other vehicles to carry out day-to-day tasks
- maintain farm buildings and agricultural machinery
- trim hedges, clear drains and ditches and mend fences and walls
Working environment
You could work on a farm.
Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers, dusty and dirty.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Career path and progression
With training, qualifications and experience, you could:
- supervise other farm workers
- work as a contractor, maintaining machinery, or supply services to more than one farm
- work in agricultural equipment and supplies
- become an assistant farm manger, which may involve moving between farms to get experience or a promotion
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to operate and control equipment
- the ability to work well with your hands
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- to be flexible and open to change
- the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
- the ability to work on your own
- excellent verbal communication skills
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Restrictions and Requirements
You'll need to:
- have a good level of fitness
You may need a driving licence for some jobs.
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
You could take a course at an agricultural college, such as:
- practical farm animal care skills
- agriculture
- tractor driving
- T Level in Agriculture, Land Management and Production
Courses combine theory and practical skills and can include units on crop production, animal husbandry and operating farm machinery.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
More Information
The following apprenticeships might be relevant depending on the type of farming you're interested in:
- General Farm Worker Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
- Poultry Worker Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
- Poultry Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
- Livestock Unit Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
It will usually take between a year and a year and a half to complete one of these apprenticeships.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
More Information
There is no set route to become a farm worker but it might help if you:
- have an interest in farming
- enjoy working outdoors
- have experience of working on a farm from a weekend or holiday job
- have knowledge of basic mechanics
Career tips
As a farm worker or tractor driver, you might work long hours especially during busy periods, such as lambing season and harvest time.
Further information
You can find out more about careers in farming and agriculture from Tasty Careers and The Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture.
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External links
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