When you’re looking to grow your career, creating a strong farmer resume is the first seed you need to sow. Whether you’re a newcomer to farming who daydreams about sinking their hands into the earth, or an experienced farmer who is looking for their next challenge, having a resume that highlights your skills and experience is critical to your success.
With the help of some easy-to-follow instructions on how to write a resume for your career in farming and some excellent resume examples for reference, the task can be much simpler than you think. Here, you’ll learn exactly what you need to know to write an impressive farmer resume in a matter of minutes.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through:
- Exemplary farmer resume samples that stand out.
- Steps to create your own impactful farming resume.
- Optional sections to enrich your farmer resume.
- The significance of complementing your resume with a cover letter.
Ready to write your farmer resume now? Use our professional AI Resume Builder for step-by-step help writing every section and select a resume template that will help your career blossom.
Farmer resume examples
Why this entry-level farmer resume stands out:
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Clear career objective
At the beginning of your career, it’s essential to explain your aspirations as a farmer and your career goals. A well-written career objective highlights your transferable skills and the professional direction you’re steering toward, offering employers a clear idea of how you envision your career.
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Features a mix of skills
Even if you have very little work experience, your resume should showcase your unique skill set. This resume uses two types of skills sections to drive home the idea that she is the right person for the role.
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Showcases related work experience
This applicant only has a year of work experience but she makes the most of it by adding it to her resume. Even without details, her past job titles send the message to potential employers that she knows her way around a farm and can perform the tasks of the role.
Why this experienced farmer resume stands out:
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Features a compelling professional summary
As one advances through their farming career, many skills are acquired. This applicant uses his professional summary to highlight the length of his career and accentuate his critical skills.
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Uses an abundance of action verbs
Since recruiters sometimes read dozens of resumes in a single day, it’s critical that your content is engaging. Here, the applicant makes great use of language, using action words like “segregated,” “cared for” and “collaborated” to describe his work experience rather than simply including a boring list of job duties.
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Utilizes a chronological resume template
Since this candidate is highly experienced, he chose a resume template that will highlight his impressive work experience and strong career progression from farmer’s assistant to farm manager.
Choose a format for your farmer resume
To get the farming job you want, it’s crucial to put your most impressive credentials front and center. To accomplish that, chose the right resume format. Here’s how to figure out which one is best for you:
- The functional resume format is your best option if you’re new to farming and don’t have much related experience. This format focuses on your transferable skills.
- The combination resume format is great if you’re in the middle of your farming career with a few years of experience. This format is effective for showcasing both your skills and work experience.
- The chronological resume format is perfect if you’re an experienced farmer with five or more years of relevant experience. This format highlights your work history and career progression.
For more detailed guidance on how to format your resume to highlight your farming skills, training and experience, check out our guide on resume formats.
With your format in place, it’s time to choose a design.
Finding the right farmer resume template
Your resume template should epitomize the dedication and professionalism of a farmer.
For farmers who want to land a good position quickly, a simple resume template might be best. Its minimalist design lets your skills and experiences shine over fussy design elements.
But if you want to make an impression, you can always choose a creative or modern resume. These styles are a bit more adventurous, making them well-suited for emphasizing your creativity and adaptability — traits invaluable in the dynamic farming environment.
Given the competitive nature of the agriculture industry, some hiring managers will be sifting through dozens of applications. Your aim should be to pick a template that highlights your key skills, experiences and achievements. Clear headings, bullet points and strategic use of white space will direct the reader’s focus to your credentials and make them easy to scan.
Our builder supports various file types, offering options like Word resume templates and Google Doc templates.
Now that you’ve laid the groundwork, let’s get started on writing your farmer resume!
How to write a farmer resume in 5 simple steps
While there are some basic rules for writing a great resume, top candidates for competitive farming jobs know that the key to getting noticed is to write a resume that is specific to the industry and the role you seek. Here we teach you how to craft each section of your resume to show recruiters that you’re exactly who they’re looking for in five simple resume writing steps.
Let’s break this down, step by step.
Step 1
Study the job description for keywords
A well-written farmer resume is customized to include keywords that show employers that you have what it takes to perform the role. Why is this important?
Many employers run resumes through applicant tracking systems (ATS) that screen out unqualified candidates based on preset keywords. If your resume doesn’t contain the right keywords, you’ll be eliminated before a human ever sees your resume. To make your resume ATS-friendly, you’ll need to customize it to the farmer job description to improve your chances of landing a job interview.
But how do you know which keywords to use? Don’t worry — it’s easy.
While every farmer role is different, a good job ad should tell you everything you need to know about which keywords to add to your farmer resume. The key to success is to study the job description and make a list of critical keywords.
For example, if the job description for the job you seek asks for physical stamina, pest and disease management skills and experience conducting soil analysis and strong problem-solving skills, you’ll want to be sure to use those exact words on your resume. Look for opportunities in your professional summary, skills section and work experience section to add the keywords you’ve identified. Then, go through your resume and make sure what you wrote matches the wording in the job description so that the ATS recognizes it.
It may sound like a lot, but once you get used to the process, it should only take you a few minutes to do and will get your farmer resume better results than if you don’t tailor it.
Step 2
Write a professional summary or resume objective
Depending on your level of experience, your farmer resume should include either a professional summary or a resume objective to start. Think of this section as your resume profile, where you provide potential employers with a summary of your most relevant skills and experience and some professional highlights.
Applicants with more direct experience in a farming role should use a professional summary, which outlines your skills and experience and highlights some of your most notable professional accomplishments.
Candidates with less experience should choose a resume objective, which states your transferable skills and your career goals. For those with limited experience, using a resume objective also gives you the opportunity to highlight your most relevant transferable skills.
Let’s examine how each of these would look on a farmer’s resume.
Farmer professional summary example:
Dedicated and skilled farmer with seven years of hands-on experience specializing in the cultivation of exquisite flower varieties, including roses, tulips and daffodils. Proven track record of successfully managing all aspects of flower production, from seedling propagation to harvest, while ensuring optimal growth conditions and achieving high-quality yields. Committed to continuous learning and staying updated with industry trends. Strong work ethic, attention to detail and a deep passion for horticulture contribute to consistent success in flower farming operations.
Farmer resume objective example:
Recent graduate with a degree in Agricultural Science, eager to embark on a fulfilling career as an entry-level farmer. Armed with a solid foundation in modern agricultural practices and a strong work ethic. Proficient in crop planning, soil management and irrigation techniques. Adept at leveraging technology for farm optimization. Demonstrated ability to work effectively in collaborative team environments, showcasing excellent communication and problem-solving skills. Ready to contribute fresh perspectives and a strong drive for sustainable farming practices to a dynamic agricultural operation.
Step 3
Highlight your most relevant farming skills
Regardless of your experience level, hiring managers will be looking closely at the farmer resume skills you list. Skills for a farmer resume should be added to your resume skills section and peppered into your professional summary (or resume objective) and your work experience section.
It’s critical that you provide employers with a solid mix of hard and soft skills. Hard skills are the measurable skills needed to perform a job, like soil analysis. These skills are easily taught in a classroom. Soft skills, like teamwork, are behaviors and personality traits, which make them difficult to measure. Below, we provide a side-by-side list of hard and soft skills to help you see the difference between the two.
Key skills for a farmer resume
- Crop management
- Soil analysis
- Irrigation techniques
- Equipment operation
- Pest and disease management
- Time management
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Physical stamina
- Environmental awareness
Here’s an illustration of a well-organized farmer’s skill section:
- Expertise in cultivating various types of crops, including dahlias, roses and zinnias.
- Familiarity with modern agricultural equipment and machinery for efficient farming operations.
- Adept at assessing soil conditions and implementing appropriate enrichment strategies.
- Strong communication skills for effective coordination with team members and stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing weather conditions and unforeseen challenges in the field.
- Efficient time management and organization skills for optimizing farm productivity.
When writing your skills section, adding computer skills and other technical abilities are great. However, soft skills count, too. Try to find a mix of hard and soft skills to show that you are a well balanced applicant.
Step 4
Detail your farming experience
Farming is a demanding and hands-on profession that requires dedication and expertise. Your resume should effectively convey how your commitment and skills are well-suited to the challenges of the agricultural field.
In your work experience section, you have the opportunity to showcase a wide range of skills essential for successful farming. This includes your ability to manage crops, adapt to changing conditions and advocate for sustainable agricultural practices.
However, it’s not enough to merely list the farms you’ve worked on. Delve into the specifics of your role. Describe instances where you faced unique challenges, took on leadership responsibilities or utilized specialized equipment. This will demonstrate that you are not just a farmer but a crucial asset in the world of agriculture.
To emphasize your contributions, incorporate action words in your resume. Words like “cultivated,” “adapted,” and “innovated” will highlight your active role in the dynamic and ever-evolving field of farming.
Example of a strong farmer work history entry:
Head Crop Manager, Green Fields Organic Farm
Portland, OR
March 2019 – December 2022
- Supervised and coordinated all aspects of crop production on a 100-acre organic farm, specializing in heirloom tomatoes, kale and bell peppers.
- Developed and implemented comprehensive planting schedules, optimizing crop rotation for soil health and pest management.
- Utilized precision agriculture techniques, including GPS-guided planting and automated irrigation systems, resulting in a 15% increase in overall yield.
- Led a team of 10 farmhands, providing training in organic farming practices and ensuring adherence to quality and safety standards.
- Collaborated with local markets and restaurants to establish profitable sales channels, resulting in a 25% increase in revenue over two years.
Make your farming credentials shine by using data and metrics in your work experience section. Adding numbers shows the impact of your work and can help capture the attention of a hiring manager.
Step 5
Showcase your education and training
To be hired as a farmer, you’ll need to show employers that you have the required education and training and be able to articulate that in a standout education section.
While no specific educational requirement typically exists for farming roles, some roles do require a degree. Top candidates for farming roles often list a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science or biology and relevant certifications or special training, like obtaining a Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification. There is no need to list your year of graduation unless you are a very recent grad.
How to present your education and credentials:
Education
Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Science, U.C. Davis
Davis, CA
Certified Crop Advisor
American Society of Agronomy
Additional sections for your farmer resume
Certifications and continued education
Your continued education as a farmer shows a passion for the field and a commitment to excellence. If you have earned certifications or have completed additional training, list them on your resume.
How to list certifications and continued education on your resume:
- Certified Crop Advisor, American Society of Agronomy, 2022
- Certified Professional Agronomist (CPAg), American Society of Agronomy,2021
Interests and hobbies
Featuring personal projects or hobbies, especially those tied to gardening, farming, nature or agriculture, paints a fuller picture of your dedication to the profession and your passion for farming.
How to feature hobbies and interests on your resume:
- Nature photography enthusiast.
- Passion for vegan cooking.
Languages
Being able to communicate in more than one language can be a huge advantage as a farmer. Having the ability to communicate with volunteers and farm workers from a variety of backgrounds can help you stand out from the crowd.
How to showcase language on your farmer resume:
- Fluent in English and Spanish
- Proficient in French and Portuguese
Volunteer work
If you spend your free time helping others, it could help your job search. Especially if you are participating in activities related to farming, adding your volunteer experience to your resume could help employers see you as a well-rounded person.
How to list volunteer work on your farmer resume:
- Volunteer teacher – Prescott Middle School Gardening Program
- Volunteer coordinator – Arizona Food Bank
Add a cover letter
Adding a cover letter to your farmer resume can help you stand out. Why? Because it gives you extra space to convince the employer that you’re the right person for the job. Use your cover letter to highlight your most relevant skills and most impressive achievements in farming. Use metrics whenever possible to show the impact of your work.
For expert guidance on crafting a compelling cover letter, explore our comprehensive guide on how to write a cover letter and draw inspiration from our extensive library of cover letter examples.
To create a cover letter that complements your new resume, consider using a professionally designed cover letter template from our Cover Letter Builder.
Key takeaways for your farmer resume
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Follow our steps for a standout farmer resume:
Take care to write all five sections of your resume in a way that is specific to the job you seek. Your professional summary, skills, work experience and education section should all contain information that is targeted to the job ad.
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Select the appropriate resume format:
Decide what you’d like to emphasize the most on your farmer resume — such as strong skills, an impressive work history or both — and then select the format that will help you put your best foot forward.
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Be specific to the role:
Use specific information from the farmer job description rather than using generic resume filler when crafting your document. Again, a well-written job description will tell you the critical keywords and credentials you must emphasize on your resume.
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Include both hard and soft skills:
Being a farmer requires a mix of technical and personal skills to do the job well. Study our list of hard and soft skills to be sure that you include a balance of both types in your resume.
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Make your work experience section shine:
Accomplish this by using action verbs, data and metrics to show the impact of your work.
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Choose an appropriate resume template:
Farming is a varied field that exists in creative environments and conservative workplaces alike. If you’re applying for a job at a conservative organization, you’ll want to choose a conservative resume design. For creative fields, your farmer resume can be more colorful and creative.
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Go the extra mile:
Including a well-written farmer cover letter can increase your chances of landing a job interview, so don’t skip the chance to include one with your application.
FAQs from job seekers
How do I include honors and awards on my resume?
How important is font size on a resume?
What are core competencies and how do I list them on a resume?
Heather is the Content Strategy Manager for Resume Now and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with more than ten years of experience writing about job search and career topics. She is based in San Francisco.
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