Farm and Home Management Educators

Also called: 4-H Youth Development Specialist, Agricultural Agent, Agricultural Extension Agent, Agricultural Extension Educator, Agriculture Consultant

Varies

estimated salary

Farm and home management educators Instruct and advise individuals and families engaged in agriculture, agricultural-related processes, or home management activities. Demonstrate procedures and apply research findings to advance agricultural and home management activities. May develop educational outreach programs. May instruct on either agricultural issues such as agricultural processes and techniques, pest management, and food safety, or on home management issues such as budgeting, nutrition, and child development.

 

  • Collect and evaluate data to determine community program needs.
  • Prepare and distribute leaflets, pamphlets, and visual aids for educational and informational purposes.
  • Conduct classes or deliver lectures on subjects such as nutrition, home management, and farming techniques.
  • Research information requested by farmers.
  • Collaborate with producers to diagnose and prevent management and production problems.
  • Advise farmers and demonstrate techniques in areas such as feeding and health maintenance of livestock, growing and harvesting practices, and financial planning.
  • Conduct field demonstrations of new products, techniques, or services.
  • Organize, advise, and participate in community activities and organizations, such as county and state fair events and 4-H Clubs.
  • Act as an advocate for farmers or farmers' groups.
  • Collaborate with social service and health care professionals to advise individuals and families on home management practices, such as budget planning, meal preparation, and time management.
  • Conduct agricultural research, analyze data, and prepare research reports.
  • Schedule and make regular visits to farmers.
  • Maintain records of services provided and the effects of advice given.
  • Provide direct assistance to farmers by performing activities such as purchasing or selling products and supplies, supervising properties, and collecting soil and herbage samples for testing.
  • Set and monitor production targets.
Work Context
  • Telephone — 100% responded "Every day".
  • Electronic Mail — 100% responded "Every day".
  • Freedom to Make Decisions — 80% responded "A lot of freedom".
  • Structured versus Unstructured Work — 80% responded "A lot of freedom".
  • Face-to-Face Discussions — 68% responded "Every day".
  • Contact With Others — 56% responded "Constant contact with others".
  • Deal With External Customers — 69% responded "Extremely important".
  • Read More
Work Activities
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
  • Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
  • Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
  • Read More
Detailed Work Activities
  • Confer with others to conduct or arrange operational activities.
  • Teach life skills.
  • Advise educators on curricula, instructional methods, or policies.
  • Search information sources to find specific data.
  • Develop instructional materials.
  • Maintain operational records.
  • Read More

Knowledge

Education and Training
  • Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
English Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Customer and Personal Service
  • Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Read More

Skills

Active Listening
  • Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking
  • Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension
  • Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Coordination
  • Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Read More

Abilities

Oral Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Speech Clarity
  • The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Written Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Read More

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
Read More

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Data base user interface and query software
  • Data entry software Hot Technology
Word processing software
  • Microsoft Word Hot Technology
Presentation software
  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology
Read More