Agronomist
Encyclopedia
An agronomist is a scientist who specializes in agronomy
, which is the science of utilizing plants for food, fuel, feed, and fiber. An agronomist is an expert in agricultural and allied sciences, with the exception veterinary sciences.
Agronomists deal with interactions between plants, soils, and the environment. They use various research tools and techniques to develop new crop hybrids and varieties that grow more efficiently that are more beneficial to society. Soils specialists conduct research in everything from the very basic to applied issues of soil and water management and land use. Agronomists research ways to produce crops and turf, and ways to manage soils in the most environmentally friendly way. Agronomists can be found teaching, conducting business, and doing research in food production and environmentally oriented industries around the world.
Agronomists work for USDA, State Departments of Agriculture, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and as agriculturists in foreign countries. They work for banks, farm co-ops, seed, agricultural supply and lawn care companies and government agencies. Agronomists also are employed as weather forecasters, environmentalists, researchers, and teachers.
To become an agronomist, you should have an interest in science and environmental issues. A bachelor's degree is necessary to obtain a rewarding and productive job. In college you should enroll in agriculture, biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and statistics courses, as well as broad-based general education courses, including English and speech. You should enjoy working with people and should have a keen interest in applying science to practical feed and food production issues.
The high school college preparatory curriculum that includes biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics will provide an excellent background. English, speech, and foreign language will strengthen your communication skills.
(provided by http://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/usda/careers/agronomist.html)
Agronomy
Agronomy is the science and technology of producing and using plants for food, fuel, feed, fiber, and reclamation. Agronomy encompasses work in the areas of plant genetics, plant physiology, meteorology, and soil science. Agronomy is the application of a combination of sciences like biology,...
, which is the science of utilizing plants for food, fuel, feed, and fiber. An agronomist is an expert in agricultural and allied sciences, with the exception veterinary sciences.
Agronomists deal with interactions between plants, soils, and the environment. They use various research tools and techniques to develop new crop hybrids and varieties that grow more efficiently that are more beneficial to society. Soils specialists conduct research in everything from the very basic to applied issues of soil and water management and land use. Agronomists research ways to produce crops and turf, and ways to manage soils in the most environmentally friendly way. Agronomists can be found teaching, conducting business, and doing research in food production and environmentally oriented industries around the world.
Agronomists work for USDA, State Departments of Agriculture, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and as agriculturists in foreign countries. They work for banks, farm co-ops, seed, agricultural supply and lawn care companies and government agencies. Agronomists also are employed as weather forecasters, environmentalists, researchers, and teachers.
To become an agronomist, you should have an interest in science and environmental issues. A bachelor's degree is necessary to obtain a rewarding and productive job. In college you should enroll in agriculture, biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and statistics courses, as well as broad-based general education courses, including English and speech. You should enjoy working with people and should have a keen interest in applying science to practical feed and food production issues.
The high school college preparatory curriculum that includes biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics will provide an excellent background. English, speech, and foreign language will strengthen your communication skills.
(provided by http://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/usda/careers/agronomist.html)
Further reading
- The Man Who Fed the World: Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Norman Borlaug and His Battle to End World Hunger by Leon Hesser, Durban House Publishing, 2006.