Farm Operations

Class Is Always in Session

Explore opportunities to keep learning, leading and gaining skills that transfer to the farm.

October 2026 | By Syngenta Thrive 3 Min Read

October 2026 | BY By Syngenta Thrive 3 Min Read

Ag Education Opportunities for Growers

Whether you’re new to managing a farm operation or well-weathered, there’s always room to grow. There’s so many continuing education opportunities across the agriculture industry to keep your skills fresh — and learn new ones to take your farm to the next level.

Community colleges across the country offer continuing education and training courses to keep skills sharp.

General business

These courses reinforce essential skills for managing and scaling your operation, including:

Business analysis
Entrepreneurship
Business plan creation

Human resources

HR skills can be just as important, especially as your team grows. HR courses help you:

Understand applicable employment laws
Effectively manage employees
Be a better communicator

Accounting

Even if you have an accountant, it’s important to have a solid understanding of your ledgers. Accounting classes can help you:

Balance sheets
Understand liabilities
Measure and manage financial health and ROI

Seek Out a Meaningful Mentorship

Farms are complex, multi-faceted businesses. Mentors can offer perspective through challenges and help evaluate the ins-and-outs of your operation.

Mentorship matters: A strong mentor could share valuable knowledge and offer constructive feedback, plus help you gain confidence and troubleshoot obstacles.
Choose a mentor: Choose a mentor who shares similar goals, passions and an operation similar to yours.
Mentorship programs: There are many mentorship programs offered through your local Extension office, Farm Bureau and local or national professional agriculture associations.

Gain On-farm Experience with an Apprenticeship

For young, aspiring growers, apprenticeships are a great way to gain on-farm experience and understand how a career in agriculture can take shape.

Apprenticeships often provide on-the job-training. If you want to own an operation one day, an apprenticeship can give you a deep understanding of what it takes to manage a business.
Find an apprenticeship: You can search for agriculture apprenticeships through ApprenticeshipUSA. If you know who you’d like to work with, ask if they offer or would consider offering an apprenticeship.

Learn Transferrable Skills at a Trade School

Learning a trade is not only useful for a career but can be transferrable to  the farm. Consider the below trades as skills that can contribute to farm management and may provide opportunities for an additional source of income.

Welding: Welding is extremely useful when it comes to equipment and general repairs — you also learn the essentials of shop safety which helps prevent hazards.
Mechanic: Mechanic skills can help reduce repair bills and equipment downtime which are essential to keeping planting and harvest on track.
Electrician: Today’s operations rely heavily on power for equipment and automation. Electrical skills can keep facilities and equipment like pumps and pivots operational.

Keep Growing in Leadership Programs

Leadership programs are a good way to gain skills, build your network and contribute to industry change.

Commodity organizations: The National Corn Growers Association and American Soybean Association offer leadership programs. Check in with  all the commodity organizations you’re a part of to see what they offer.
Extension Services: Many Extension offices offer leadership programs tailored to the agriculture interests in the area. Ask your local Extension  office if an opportunity is available in your state.
Farm Bureau: Your state Farm Bureau Federation may offer a leadership program. The American Farm Bureau Federation also offers programs tailored to women’s leadership, young farmers and advocacy.