Careers: Plants

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Farmer or farm manager: Plant Production
Job description:	There are many types of farmers - crop, poultry, vegetable, etc. A farmer should enjoy working outside, and be patient, persistent and self-motivated. Flexibility and problem solving skills are useful, and skills such as driving, mechanical skills and aptitude and accounting. An entrepreneurial flair is important. A farmer must keep up with the latest methods and research in his field of production, and for a farmer in plant production, whether fruit or vegetables or crops, knowledge of market tendencies is crucial. TASKS: studying the land and deciding what crop(s) to plant buying seed and fertiliser ensuring machinery is in order, or buying new ones if necessary employing, training and supervising farm workers ploughing, mulching and doing whatever else necessary to prepare the land for planting planting seeds, seedlings, trees, vines, etc. watering crops and/or creating irrigation systems weeding and treating crops for disease harvesting crops transporting and storing crops; sometimes value-adding activities are performed on-farm, e.g. drying (fruit) or preservation (olives) selling crops maintaining financial records
Study	B. Agric - three year graduate qualification - Cape Institute for Agricultural Training: Elsenburg B. Sc Agriculture - three year graduate qualification - University of Stellenbosch Faculty for Agri-Sciences. National Diploma: Agriculture - Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Researcher: Plant Production
Job description	Agronomy, crop science, entomology, and plant breeding are included in plant science. Scientists in these disciplines study plants and their growth in soils, helping producers of food, feed, and fiber crops to continue to feed a growing population while conserving natural resources and maintaining the environment. Agronomists and crop scientists not only help increase productivity, but also study ways to improve the nutritional value of crops and the quality of seed, often through biotechnology. Some crop scientists study the breeding, physiology, and management of crops and use genetic engineering to develop crops resistant to pests and drought. Plant physiologists: A plant physiologist studies life processes in plants. Plants don't just sit there. They're busy taking in iron and other nutrients and carbon dioxide, giving off oxygen, and responding to light, temperature, moisture, insect pests and chemicals. Natural veld researchers: These researchers focus on finding economically viable ways of rehabilitating and increasing grazing capacity of natural veld in order to improve livestock production, as well as the biodiversity in the veld composition. Agricultural scientists should be able to work independently or as part of a team and be able to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Most of these scientists also need an understanding of basic business principles, and the ability to apply basic statistical techniques. Employers increasingly prefer job applicants who are able to apply computer skills to determine solutions to problems, to collect and analyze data, and to control various processes. Source: My Career Path handbook
Study	Post-graduate qualification in the area of interest. University of Stellenbosch, University of Cape Town
Plant pathologist
Job description	Plant pathologists deal with the symptoms, causes, damage, spread, and control of plant diseases. They can specialize in mycology, bacteriology, virology, nematology, physiology, genetics, molecular and cellular biology, epidemiology, biotechnology, or biochemistry. They study disease processes and look for genetic, biological, chemical, or cultural controls for diseases of the plants we use for food and fiber. Plant pathologists are university research scientists, teachers, and research technicians. Some work as extension plant pathologists with the Cooperative Extension Service. Government agencies such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Forest Service hire plant pathologists as research scientists and technicians. Plant pathologists also work for companies that develop chemical and biological control products, companies that introduce new varieties of pest-resistant plants, and companies that provide disease control services. To be a plant pathologist, you need a bachelor's degree in a biological science (preferably plant-oriented) and a master's degree in plant pathology. To be a research scientist, you need a doctoral degree in plant pathology or a related discipline (see the first paragraph). In high school, take courses in biology, English, chemistry, physics, math, and computer sciences. Source: United States Department of Agriculture website
Study:	B.Sc degree at a University, preferably with a post-graduate qualification A brochure by the American Phytopathological Society on Plant Pathology as a career can be downloaded here (Careers in Plant Pathology, a .pdf document).
Winemaker
Job description:	Winemakers plan, supervise and coordinate the production of wine or spirits from selected varieties of grapes. Winemakers need an excellent sense of smell and taste, and should be able to think analytically to solve problems. They should be able to make accuarate observations, and need good interpersonal and communication skills. TASKS Liaise with viticulturists who manage planting programs and the cultivation and production of grapes conduct various laboratory tests to monitor the progress of grapes to ensure their quality and to determine the correct time for harvest organise the crushing and pressing of grapes, the settling of juice and the fermentation of grape material direct the filtering of wine to remove remaining solids conduct laboratory tests and monitor quality of wine place filtered wine in casks or tanks for storage and maturation prepare plans for bottling wine once it has matured and make sure that quality is maintained when the wine is bottled supervise cellar personnel involved in the production of wine supervise the maintenance of the vineyard and winery during the off-season liaise with sales and marketing staff to make sure of the production of appropriate wine types, styles and qualities conduct technical in-service training for cellar staff give guided tours, conduct tastings and advise visitors about various aspects of wine. Scientific knowledge is playing an increasingly important role in winemaking and some winemakers specialise in the research and development of wine. Winemakers working in large wineries are in charge of the technical side of the business. Those working in small wineries may be responsible for the whole winemaking process, from the growing of the grapes to the bottling and marketing of the finished wine. Source: Desired careers.com
Study:	B.Agric Cellar Management at Cape Institute for Agricultural Training: Elsenburg University of Stellenbosch