421 General Farming

This group includes occupations concerned with combined plant and animal farming.

421.161-010 FARMER, GENERAL (agric.)

Raises both crops and livestock: Determines kinds and amounts of crops to be grown and livestock to be bred, according to market conditions, weather, and size and location of farm. Selects and purchases seed, fertilizer, farm machinery, livestock, and feed, and assumes responsibility for sale of crop and livestock products. Hires and directs workers engaged in planting, cultivating, and harvesting crops, such as corn, peas, potatoes, strawberries, apples, peanuts, and tobacco, and to raise livestock, such as cattle, sheep, swine, horses, and poultry. Performs various duties of farm workers, depending on size and nature of farm, including setting up and operating farm machinery.

421.683-010 FARM WORKER, GENERAL (agric.)I hired worker.

Drives trucks and tractors and performs variety of animal and crop raising duties as directed on general farm: Plows, harrows, and fertilizes soil, and cultivates, sprays, and harvests crops, using variety of tractor-drawn machinery [FARM-MACHINE OPERATOR (agric.)]. Cares for livestock and poultry, observing general condition and administering simple medications to animals and fowls. Hauls feed to livestock during grass shortage and winter months. Operates, repairs, and maintains farm implements and mechanical equipment, such as tractors, gang plows, ensilage cutters, hay balers, cotton pickers, and milking machines. Repairs farm buildings, fences, and other structures. May irrigate crops. May haul livestock and products to market [TRUCK DRIVER, HEAVY (any ind.); TRUCK DRIVER, LIGHT (any ind.)]. Usually works year-round and may oversee casual and seasonal help during planting and harvesting.

421.687-010 FARM WORKER, GENERAL (agric.)II chore tender; farm laborer.

Performs variety of manual, animal-and-crop-raising tasks on general farm under close supervision: Feeds and waters cattle, poultry, and pets. Cleans barns, stables, pens, and kennels, using rake, shovel, water, and other cleaning materials. Digs seedlings, such as tobacco plants, strawberries, tomatoes, and orchard trees, using hoe, and transplants them by hand. Shovels earth to clear irrigation ditches and opens sluice gates to irrigate crops. Cleans barns, stables, pens, and kennels, using rake, shovel, water, and other cleaning materials. Digs seedlings, such as tobacco plants, strawberries, tomatoes, and orchard trees, using hoe, and transplants them by hand. Shovels earth to clear irrigation ditches and opens sluice gates to irrigate crops. Cleans plows, combines, and tractors, using scraper and broom. Picks, cuts, or pulls fruits and vegetables to harvest crop. Stacks loose hay, using pitchfork, or pitches hay into automatic baling machine. Stacks bales of hay and bucks them onto wagon or truck, using hand hook.

Adapted from US Department of Labor DOT for Dictionary of Agricultural Occupations

15 November 2004