Agricultural Consultants

The nature of this job can be very demanding, both mentally and physically. Agricultural consultants may require assistance while working in the field for extended periods. Their work may involve spending several weeks in the office handling routine tasks, followed by six weeks of not working in the office. Typically, consultants have a private office where they can speak confidentially with individuals seeking assistance. As a rule, agricultural consultants spend about half their time working with farmers on specific problems, scheduling or conducting group meetings, or simply distributing new and updated information. They usually drive from 500 to 1,500 miles monthly while on the job. The work may be hard on the consultant's family since evening meetings are required, and the agent is often invited to weekend events. For example, agents may conduct small informal conferences on Monday and Tuesday nights to discuss particular problems faced by a small group of farmers in the county. They may be home on Wednesday, work with a students' 4-H Club on Thursday, conduct another meeting on Friday, and then judge a livestock show at the county fair on Saturday.

Consultant hours are not regular, and the pay could be much higher, considering the number of hours agents are required to work. But this work can be gratifying. There is great satisfaction to be found in working with people who genuinely appreciate the time, advice, and assistance the agent brings.