Organic Farmers

Employers

Nearly 70 percent of farmers and agricultural managers are self-employed. Most work in the area of crop-production management, while others are responsible for managing livestock and dairy production. Some organic farmers work independently on small farms; others may work on large farms and may oversee many farm workers and staff.

Starting Out

Volunteering or working part time on an organic farm is an excellent way to learn what it takes to succeed in and enjoy being an organic farmer. A willingness to relocate to have the farm experience can also broaden the range of opportunities. Farming internships may be available through ATTRA, an organization that offers a national directory called "Sustainable Farming Internships and Apprenticeships." (You can find the directory at: https://attra.ncat.org/internships.) Interns live and work on the farm, along with a small team of workers. Their tasks are varied, including helping with plantings, harvestings, and greenhouse work; pitching in at the greenmarket; and tending to the chickens (and the eggs).

The nonprofit organization Worldwide Opportunities in Organic Farming (WWOOF) lists farms around the world where volunteers are needed. Visit the WOOF-USA^® site to learn more about opportunities within the United States (https://wwoofusa.org), or if you're more adventurous and able to travel and spend a summer, or longer, away from home, visit the WWOOF headquarters' site (https://wwoof.net).