Plant Scientist / Field Agronomist

Plant Scientist / Field Agronomist
Plant scientists, alternatively called field agronomists, plan, budget, establish, preform and document research trials and projects as they relate to agronomic crops. They evaluate products, collect data on performance in different locations and make recommendations to management on new releases. Additionally, they position hybrids in their most favorable environment.
What Responsibilities Will I Have?:
- Make agronomic-related decisions regarding production activities
- Develop, conduct and evaluate tolerance for species at seedling stage of growth
- Understand the farmland (ground conditions, farming challenges and pest issues)
- Evaluate products, collect data and make recommendations to management
- Relay agronomy information to key accounts
- Communicate with relevant sectors to initiate research projects
- Investigate applying a wide variety of scientific principles to potential inventions
- Prepare documented proposals and successfully establish research trials
- Manage trial establishment and collection of data
- Budget for research work and provide management reporting
Recommended High School Courses:
The following high school courses are recommended: agricultural education, a focus on science such as earth science, biology, botany, chemistry and biology, and mathematics.
Education/Training Required:
A master’s degree or Ph.D. in plant breeding, biotechnology, plant pathology, agronomy, crop science, soil science, biology or a related field is preferred to become a plant scientist/field agronomist. A bachelor’s degree in similar fields may be considered with some companies.