Organic Farmer
September marks ‘Organic month’, celebrating the additional care, focus and attention paid to creating exceptional products that are better for people and the planet. And what better way than to get to the roots, exploring the role of Organic Farmer. This career path takes farming to a new level using a sustainable approach that prioritises natural methods over synthetic inputs. Gone are the days of using chemicals and harmful practices to cultivate produce. As an organic farmer you’ll use more natural methods like crop rotation, composting, and natural pest control to produce food in a way that conserves biodiversity. Ready to put your green thumb to work?
Job description
Salary (Avg.) £27,279
With the growth of the organic market reaching an all-time high, having delivered its 12th year of positive growth despite worldwide political and economic turmoil, according to Organic Search Centre, this is a flourishing career path to take. Plough through the ranks from entry level farm worker to organic farmer, either on your own land or as part of a pre-existing farm and harvest an annual salary between £20,000 and £50,000, according to recent labour market information.
The Government offers a number of funding to support organic farms as incentives to increase the use of more natural farming techniques, making Organic Farming a great career path that offers sustainability for you, as well as the environment.
Qualifications and Skills
To cultivate a career as an organic farmer, there are many routes you can take. You can begin with an entry level farm position following completion of your GCSEs and work your way up, learning the business through experience. However, you can also benefit from study A-levels in subjects like Biology, Chemistry, Geography, and Business Studies, to build strong foundational knowledge. Colleges and universities also offer agricultural or horticultural courses specialising in organic farming.
Completing these courses will give you a solid knowledge base to bring to the farm and studying business will support you if you wish to start your own organic farm in the future.
If you do want to start your own organic farm, you’ll need to know your onions! Organic Farming is in high demand in the UK and is regulated as such. To become a certified Organic Farmer, you need to apply to an approved UK organic control body. During the application process, you’ll need to convert your land to organic and pass inspections.
What you can be doing now
Begin sowing the seeds to success today in the comfort of your own home! Try your hand at growing some organic veggies or start a small composting bin, as a great way to gain experience and understand the process that you can then take to a larger scale in the future. Many farms also offer entry level seasonal roles that would help you learn the lay of the land and give you some hands-on experience.
Farming is a physical role and requires you to be on the go, lifting and moving constantly. A good way to prepare for your future career path is to stay active and build up your endurance.
Plant the seed today and grow a career as an Organic Farmer!
